Life in Portugal

It is a well-known fact that the Portuguese are among the most welcoming people in the world. History shows that they have been invaded many times but this time ‘foreigners’ bring investment and jobs. However, the Portuguese don’t need a reason to welcome you as it is in their nature to be friendly, considerate and understanding. They are also relatively reserved and like to get along with their neighbors. They do not cause conflict but wish to exhibit their country and its lifestyle, to encourage you to live like them. Peacefully and considerately.

Being next to the Atlantic coast has many benefits – food being one of them. Lashings of fresh seafood and shellfish brought daily by the fleet of fishermen. Sea bass, sea bream, mussels, prawns and oysters to name but a few. There are hundreds of owner-operated restaurants, all creating their own style and menu. Most would also include the famous Piri-Piri chicken – grilled chicken with a wonderful zing of spice, accompanied by tomato salad and home prepared chips. In the majority of restaurants food is freshly prepared and cooked. Add to this a wonderful bottle of Portuguese wine – delicious!

The Algarve has an abundance of sporting and leisure options. It regularly wins the award for the Best European and World Golfing Destination by the World Golf Awards. There are superb options for Tennis Courts and Academies. Cycling is also a popular activity with many local clubs offering rides each weekend. Paddle tennis is also popular among the expats as a pleasurable and social activity. Football is a passion with most locals supporting either Benfica or Sporting Lisbon. If walking is your thing then there are endless signposted tracks both along the coast or inland. The Algarve offers limitless options to enjoy the great outdoors, keeping you fit in both mind, body and soul.

The Portuguese climate offers a lot of possibilities in terms of living outside the entire year. The winters are warm and the summers are hot and dry with a pleasant ocean breeze. During the winterdays, the temperature feels like 22 degrees in the sun and will normally balance around 16/17 degrees. That will make your new year’s dive a lot more pleasant!

Because of the fact that the Portuguese economy is a growing, the food, drinks and basic necessities for live are very affordable. In the main areas you can expect to pay €1.20 for a coffee, €2.00 for a beer, €2.00 for soup of the day and €10 euros for a main meal or pizza. In the prominent tourist areas expect to pay a bit more. So, if you are treating yourself, then a premium steak with sides in a top-class restaurant, would cost in the region of €25.

The health facilities in Portugal have improved considerably over recent years and now second to none. If you use the public health service then you will be allocated a GP and attend a Centro de Saude (Health Centre). Here, waiting times are not the best but not unreasonable either. Most towns have health centres. If you wish to top up your protection with a private cover then this is readily available and comes in many forms. A basic cover can be provided by your bank at €25 per month and will form part of your banking package. If you wish to have top of the range cover for your family (of, say four) then this can increase to around €200 per month. This will generally provide a discount of 50% on all tests and analyses and it will provide complete cover for any serious illness. If you just walk into a private clinic (again, there are many) and ask to see a doctor, then an immediate consultation will be around €50.