Coimbra, Portugal | Portugal Special Report

If you’re dreaming of a new life in Europe… even for just a few months of the year…

Or if you ever thought about retiring to Europe but ruled it out as too expensive…

Then you owe it to yourself to keep that dream alive and check out the country we, at Live and Invest Overseas, have chosen as the world’s top retirement haven for eight years running…

Portugal is a country that has something to suit almost every taste and budget…

And I have big news on this understated corner of Europe to share with you today (including your 6-night stay in a top Algarve resort… on my dime)…

But first, let’s make sure we’re both on the same page…

So, when you dream about your new life overseas, does it include:

• Warm, sunny days most of the year? Portugal has over 300 days of sunshine a year, with mild winters. Whether you choose beach or city, you’re guaranteed plenty of days out of doors…
• An affordable lifestyle? For the sophisticated culture and fine dining on offer, Portugal has some of the lowest living costs in Europe. You could live well here—without scrimping on luxuries—from US$2,200 a month. Dinner for two with wine costs as little as US$35. Or pull a good bottle of wine from the supermarket shelf for just US$5 …
• A safe place? The Global Peace Index ranked Portugal the 3rd safest country in the world in 2019. It’s a politically neutral country without civil unrest…
• A healthy way of life? Almost every expat I meet here tells me they live a healthier lifestyle by default. They’re taking their dogs for long walks on the beach… or ditching the car to go about their business on foot. You have an abundance of fresh fish and locally-grown fruit and vegetables to feast on, too…
• Access to world-class beaches? The Algarve has 100 miles of coast… not all known to tourists. Many of its beaches fly the prestigious “Blue Flag”—Europe’s gold standard in cleanliness…
• An English-speaking community? Thanks to its centuries-long history with Britain, English is widely spoken in Portugal—especially in the Algarve and the main cities. You won’t have to spend hours studying Portuguese grammar to get settled in. You’ll also have the support of established expat circles whenever you need them…
• Easy to reach from North America? You can fly direct to Lisbon from the U.S. east coast in as little as six hours… or seven hours from Toronto…
• Easy residency? Residency here is one of the easiest you’ll find in Europe. You can qualify for a passive income residency visa (D7) by showing an income of around US$9,000 a year… or US$13,500 a year for a couple…
• Quality health care? The World Health Organisation ranks Portugal 12th in the world for its standard of healthcare. You can see a local GP for as little as US$6. What’s more, you’ll find English-speaking doctors and consultants in major clinics and hospitals…
• A rich history and culture? Portugal has no shortage of historic cities and towns, including impressive castles, cathedrals, and Roman sites. In Lisbon and Porto, you could have a full social calendar that includes concerts, theatre, art shows, music festivals, and almost any kind of entertainment you might wish for…
• Adventure? From its fishing villages to its natural reserves, historic cities to wild coastal walks, there’s lots of adventure to be had on the ground in Portugal. And, you’re also in an ideal position to explore the rest of Europe by car, rail or air…
• Affordable property? Portugal is emerging as “the California of Europe,” but prices here are a fraction of what you’d pay for a beach property in southern California. Algarve property prices are an average US$2,830 a square meter (an incredible bargain compared with Santa Monica or Venice Beach)…

Really, I’m just scratching the surface here. There’s so much more to discover.

But if your retirement wish-list includes at least three of the above criteria, then I’d say you’re in the right place…

Remember, though, Portugal is a big place… with many great options to choose from…