Perhaps because of its fantastic climate and excellent standard of living, Portugal is one of the top retirement destinations when Brits look for some where abroad. If you're searching for a place that will offer you a low cost of living, a healthier lifestyle and plenty of things to do including many free cultural events, Portugal Could be the place for you!
In this article we will look at some of the pros and cons of retiring to Portugal and soaking up the sun…
British retired ex pats living in Portugal tend to be more numerous in the Algarve. This is in the south of the country which is serviced by Faro airport, there are upwards of fifty flights per day from the UK, mainly from UK provincial airports but also from London airports too. The Algarve appeals too many due to ease of access and its winter sun climate, the countries many golf clubs play a part too.
The Algarve is also a very beautiful part of Portugal with its heavenly coastline and pretty countryside. The only real downside to the region is the price of properties. Because of the popularity of the region as well as the fact that it is a top ten summer holiday retreat for people from around the world, property prices in the Algarve are unaffordable for most people, but not so if you decide to go for the great outdoor style living in one of our static mobile homes, either new or used.
Once you have found a place to call home you can start living in Portugal! You can remain in the country for up to 180 days before you need to get your residence permanent. To do so you will have to battle through some red tape and visit lots of governmental departments to make your residency official! But bureaucracy is just part of the course like most places in the world. You can of course get professional help with the red tape which will involve a small fee but will save you some hassle.
Forgetting for the moment that English is widely spoken, particularly on the Algarve, It can be useful to have a basic knowledge of Portuguese– Many state schools offer free evening classes to foreign nationals, usually a beginners course and a more advanced course. And then there's the health care system to be considered too. As a Brit you can be eligible for subsidised health care in Portugal, but because the public system is busy just like like the British NHS, most Brits take out some form of private health insurance…you might like to look into this.
Finally, as a retirement hot spot Portugal certainly does tick all the boxes…it is warm and sunny in the summer and has at least a temperate climate all year round, the cost of living is relatively affordable e.g. bars and restaurants are around half the price of the UK, the standard of living is excellent, the countryside and the coastline are beautiful and then there are lots of golf courses that Portugal is famous for! If Portugal sounds like the sort of place you could happily consider spending your hard earned retirement, our outdoor lifestyle mobile homes could be a great option for you, without having to mortgage the family silver.