Why Invest in Portugal?

An attractive property market :

Property prices have risen slightly due to high demand.

Indeed, in recent years, the VISA GOLD programme, as well as an increasing search by foreigners for a better quality of life and by retirees who choose Portugal to spend all or part of their retirement, have strongly contributed to the rise in property prices in Portugal.

However, Portuguese housing remains relatively cheaper than anywhere in England. Indeed, while in Lisbon the average price per square metre is €4,500, in London it is over €13919.7 €!

In Portugal, depending on the region, you can find a villa with a swimming pool for the price of a 30m2 – 40m2 flat in London.

So, despite this rise, property prices are still very affordable.

So, are you ready to invest and move to Portugal?

VB Real Estate is your best partner and will help you with your property search and administrative procedures, before, during and after your move.

Do not hesitate to contact our agents.

Lower cost of living:

This is one of the reasons why moving to Portugal attracts so many people, from retirees to young dynamic executives: Increased purchasing power.

Life in Portugal is between 20% and 40% cheaper than elsewhere in Europe.

Whether it’s a simple café, restaurant, basic necessities or property rental, it’s only natural that Portugal is the most attractive destination to live in.

Advantageous tax environment :

International mobility also means knowing how to assess whether moving to a particular country is fiscally advantageous for an English national. And in Portugal, it is!

Whether you are retired or an entrepreneur, Portugal offers very advantageous conditions.

Before 31 March 2021, European retirees who moved there were exempt from paying taxes for 10 years.

However, a February 2020 law ends this 10-year tax exemption from April 2021, so newcomers RNH (non-habitual residents) are no longer entitled to it. The new tax regime sets a minimum tax rate of 10% on the income of foreign pensioners, without retroactive effect. EU nationals with a non-habitual national status who have already settled and who reach the end of their 10-year exemption period will not be subject to this 10% rate but to the progressive tax regime.

So, no more exemption, but a tax context that remains advantageous and more attractive than in France… and it should not be forgotten that the cost of living in Portugal is 20%-30% less expensive than in France.

On the other hand, activities with high added value, such as architects, engineers, doctors, entrepreneurs, are taxed at only 20% on their income for ten years.

A tax regime that remains advantageous in Portugal, which is fertile ground for real estate purchases, a retirement in Portugal or simply a sunnier life!

Portugal is the destination that has been causing a stir in recent years.

Ready to become an English expat?

An incomparable quality of life:

From expatriates to tourists, everyone agrees: Portugal is a welcoming country, where the sweetness of life is contagious! With around 300 days of sunshine a year, the country competes with Spain, especially when it comes to attracting new residents.

It is a hospitable country, with a very kind people! Whether you are a French retiree, a temporary resident or a worker, your welcome will be made all the more pleasant by the locals, who will be happy to show you the Portuguese way of life from the inside.

Combined with the low prices and the beauty of the country, there is no doubt that if your project is to settle in Portugal, it is a good idea!

Gastronomy :

All countries have culinary specialities, but not all have the Portuguese gastronomy. These tasty dishes, rich in flavour, are a reflection of the country and its people: comforting, generous, full of colour and, above all, very good!

And among the typical Portuguese dishes, we find :

Cod (“Bacalhau” in Portuguese, delicious in fritters),
Pasteis de Nata, the small Portuguese flans,
Francesinha (or “the little French girl”)
Porto wine, to be drunk in moderation,
Queijo da serra, a PDO cheese with a thick crust,
Baked octopus,
The suckling pig sandwich (“Sandes de Leitão”),

And many more! Whether you are eating out, deciding to eat on the go or having a picnic with friends, these typical dishes will accompany you every day.

Landscape diversity :

Portugal is a small country, but a country where you never get bored. Why is that? For the simple reason that it is a country with a great diversity of landscapes: sea, mountains… all the landscapes are there.

It is even possible to ski in Portugal. The Serra da Estrela is a ski resort located 300 kilometres from Lisbon, and will allow you to enjoy the joys of winter sports, and have a great time.

In addition, the Portuguese cities of Braga, Guimarães, Porto, Aveiro, Sintra, Lisbon, Setúbal, Evora, Tavira, Azenha do Mar, Faro, Madeira, are all beautiful and you will have no trouble organising great visits every weekend to discover your host country!

Other points of interest in Portugal, which make this country so rich, include

The Douro Valley, known for its wine production,
The Gerês and its magnificent waterfalls.
Aveiro, the little Venice of Portugal.
The city of Faro, pure Portuguese charm,
The port of Lagos and its coves,
The fish market of Nazaré,
The Algarve Natural Park, with its breathtaking beauty,
The Belem Tower in Lisbon, a must-see.
The city of Braga, known as the Portuguese Rome for the number of religious buildings it contains.
The medieval village of Sortelha, a plunge back in time,
And so much more!

Portugal is a country where you can always find something to do, and which is full of historical, tourist and natural treasures.

A stable and secure country :

According to the GLOBAL PEACE INDEX, in 2021, Portugal is the 4th safest country in the world.

Therefore, obtaining Portuguese residency status is the assurance of entering a stable, but also calm and safe country. It cannot be said enough, but if the atmosphere of a country is fundamental to the decision to settle there, Portugal ranks among the safest countries in Europe.

Portugal is therefore a country where the economy is not at half-mast, where the inhabitants are welcoming, and where it is easy to settle down.

Geographical location :

Coming to live abroad also means leaving one’s country of origin for a new and unknown reality. Some people who are still registered to vote in England, who are attached to their family, or whose main residence remains in England, are therefore reluctant to move to Portugal.

And yet, this European country is extremely well served by all types of transport. It is very easy to find a daytime flight to the major cities in England (and elsewhere)!

Portugal has a lot of low-cost flights (via Ryanair, Transavia, or Easyjet), which will make the process even easier!

The weather :

Portugal has 300 days of sunshine per year. Out of 365, the ratio is not bad, is it? This daily dose of vitamin D is an engine for the morale, and makes this country full of pep, of good mood, just like its inhabitants and their standard of living!

It is therefore good to live in Lusitania all year round! Winters are mild, summers not too hot, with only a few temperature differences between the north and the south, due to the presence of the Atlantic Ocean. The north is a bit more humid, but this is almost a detail!

To give you an idea, let’s take the example of Lisbon, which everyone knows more or less: