The Pros and Cons of living in Portugal

Have you ever thought of migrating to a foreign land? Portugal is one of the most heavily visited countries in Europe by tourists all year round. Portugal is a small country, and regions like the Alentejo and the Algarve have different climates. Even the capital, Lisbon, can be relatively mild in the winter.

Migrating in a foreign country can be very exciting and overwhelming simultaneously, especially if you don’t speak the language. You’ve got to learn and adapt to the culture and lifestyle. I call Portugal as my second home. It was terrific, but some things need to understand, and before you plunge, you need to know the pros and cons.

Pros of living in Portugal

People

Portuguese people are warm to welcome every visitor, enthusiast, friendly, helpful, and kind-hearted. They love to enjoy spending time with family and their close neighbors, most often in the afternoon having lunch or coffee together, and enjoying their company for hours. Also, they have a healthy family and relatives bonds.

Family Allowance Benefits

Every household receives an allowance depending on their annual income. Family allowances income-tested, the allocation generally based on the reference family income and the child’s benefits age. The citation family income is determined by dividing all working family members’ total revenue by the number of eligible children plus one—reference income group categorize in three dimensions entitled to the benefit rate.

The social benefit amounted to €419.22 monthly.

In case the reference family income is lower than half of the social benefit of €140.76 monthly payment for each child up to 12 months old and €35.19 monthly for each child more aged than 36 months.

Eligible children aged six to sixteen receive an additional payment each September for education fees.

Regarding the family income of fifty-one percent to hundred percent of the social benefit rate, €116.74 monthly payment for every child a year old €29.19 a month for each child more aged than 36 months; from hundred and one percent to hundred and fifty percent of the social benefits rate, an amount of €92.29 monthly paid for each child up to 12 months of age and €26.54 a month for each child older than 36 months.

For a disabled child special additive: €59.48 monthly payment for a child younger than age fourteen €86.62 ages 14 to 18; €115.96 in the ages 18 to 24 supplement increases by twenty percent beneficiaries living in single-parent families.

Constant-attendance supplement: €88.37 a month paid to the child who has a disability and requires others’ constant attendance to perform daily functions. Note: The figures can change annually.  

Freedom

Freedom is widely most practiced in the country, and treat everyone with strict respect. They exercise taking care of others in case of any involvement in such protests that sometimes lead to a complaint. Before any riots occur, they know how to come up with an easy solution without any harm. They keep anybody to make sure that nobody out of control.

Infrastructure

Portugal’s infrastructure is better since the entry of the European Union has changed dramatically. With the help of EU funds, Portugal has managed to invest in its rail and road network, including the busiest international airports in the four most prominent cities: Lisbon, Faro, Porto, and Madeira.

Public Transportation

There is no such problem with public transport in Portugal. Trams, buses, trains, metros, and taxis are a means of transportation. They are considering that metros are operating only to two major cities, Lisbon and Porto. The country has an extensive network of trains and in various types.

Four types of trains function

• The high-speed trains
• Urban commuter trains
• Intercity trains
• Regional and inter-regional trains

Cons of living in Portugal

Housing

Before buying a property in Portugal, you need to stay or live for at least six months to ensure that everything is worth doing if you live in the EU. However, if you come from a foreign country or outside the EU, you must apply first for residency. It is easy to purchase a house or lot, but you must be aware of it. Let say you are buying a lot, and a ruined structure stands on; you can’t demolish it; all you have and need to do is rebuild again on how it used to be. Same through with the house, especially when bricks build or put an extension on it; you need permission if you are allowed to do in short. Location is a must that you need to consider when purchasing a property; when near the coast, the price is high compared to the countryside. Real state agents are everywhere in Portugal as a guide for you to purchase your dream house but remember that every agent they work in a commission, so expect a quiet hike to the normal price.

Employment 

Portugal is one of the developing countries in Europe, and the standard of living is quite affordable. Employment has a low rate of jobs compared to some EU countries. Portuguese minimum salary for a civil servant is 580 euros to 600 monthly. Many companies will find out inflation rates to negotiate with your wages.
It is not very easy to look for a job when you are foreign outside of Europe. However, the choice is vast, and it all depends on your skills.

Religion

Christianity is widely practiced in Portugal, and there are no other religions that exercise different beliefs. The Catholic Church has the highest rates in the country, eighty-one percent of the population following the said religion. Islamic theology and Judaism are not recognized, although they are some families who migrated and carried to their religious practice.

Language

The Portuguese language is like any other language; if it’s not your mother tongue, it is difficult. However, some words have the same meaning in Spanish and Italian language. If you speak Spanish, French, and English, then you have no difficulty staying in the country because most Portuguese does speak those languages.

Thank you for reading.

© 2020 Leonie M.