How to make friends as an expat retiree in Portugal

Applying for a Visa

If you’re thinking about retiring to Portugal from Germany or another EU country, you won’t need to apply for a visa, provided that you are employed, self-employed or have sufficient means to support yourself.

If you’re retiring to Portugal from the UK, US or other non-EU country, you will need to apply for the Portugal D7 (Retirement Visa) or the Portugal Golden Visa program. The visa route you take will depend on your circumstances and finances.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll be able to apply for Portuguese citizenship after you have lived in Portugal for five years. With the D7 visa, you must reside in Portugal for at least 183 days of the year. With the Golden Visa, this is just seven days per year.

Once you have Portuguese residency, you can spend up to 90 days out of 180 in any of the 26 Schengen states, including Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Best Places to Live in Portugal as a Retiree

Here is an overview of some of the best places to live in Portugal as a retiree. For our full list read the 12 best destinations to retire to in Portugal.

Alentejo

This rural area offers a slow pace of life, historic landmarks and a low population. The weather is hot and dry during the summer and mild during the winter.

Algarve

This is a tourist hotspot where English is widely spoken. Renowned for its beautiful beaches, golf courses, fishing ports and waterparks, the region enjoys sunny summers.

Lisbon

This lively city is full of culture, including palaces, museums, theatres and nightlife. Discover its rich history as you explore the cobbled streets.

Porto

This is the second largest city in Portugal. Set in the north, it’s famous for its port wine, university, Douro River tours and lively riverfront area. It’s home to one of Portugal’s international airports, so it’s accessible and offers easy links to other destinations.

How to meet other expats

Moving to a new country might seem daunting at first. However long you spend making plans, it’s normal to feel lonely or anxious when the reality of a new environment and a different language hits.

There are a few things to consider if you want to make friends in Portugal. Meeting people is often more manageable if you live in a big city such as Porto or Lisbon, but if you opt for a smaller town or rural village, you might find it more challenging to meet new people. This is especially likely if you don’t speak Portuguese.

One good way to tackle this problem is to set the ball rolling before you move to Portugal. In today’s digital age, it’s easy to “meet” like-minded people online.

Check Facebook for relevant expat groups, sign up for an Instagram account and research bloggers and expats living in the place you’re planning to live. You could also research online forums for expats moving to Portugal.

If you want to find friends in Portugal, consider joining online communities like Patook, which will put you in touch with other people who share your hobbies and interests, and Meetup, which allows you to browse and sign up for various social events and friendship groups in popular expat cities like Faro, Setubal and Lisbon. 

Advice on learning the language

In Portugal, many people speak the English language. This is especially true in urban areas such as Lisbon and Porto.

However, learning to speak Portuguese is vital if you want to make the most of living in Portugal. Communicating with the locals is a surefire way to meet new people, find employment and enjoy the expat lifestyle. And if you want to live in a rural location, it’s essential.

If you want to learn to speak Portuguese, there’s no need to wait until you’re in Portugal. Getting a head start is easy with online resources like Tandem and Italki.

Already in Portugal? Finding a Portuguese-speaking friend who wants to improve their English is a great way to help both of you to achieve your goals.

Dating and Finding Love in Portugal

Are you retiring to Portugal as a singleton? If you’re looking for love, Meetic.pt is popular with people seeking long-term, meaningful relationships. Tinder, Badoo, Happn and OkCupid are popular options if you’re looking for casual dating opportunities.

The dating scene in Portugal is similar to the UK and other European countries. Most older people meet their life partner through work, friends, social events or online dating.

Depending on your location, a typical first date might take place at a park, cafe, restaurant, or beach.

It’s worth noting that Portuguese men and women have a reputation for being cautious and reserved when it comes to dating. They tend to value getting to know someone before progressing to a full-blown relationship.

Punctuality is very important in Portugal. You should always make an effort to arrive early for dates. If you’re going out for dinner, expect this to be on the later side - most people in Portugal eat at 8.00pm or later. 

Cost of Living in Portugal

The cost of living in Portugal is generally low compared to the US and most of Western Europe.

According to Numbeo, living in Portugal is approximately 26.3% cheaper than in the UK, so British expat Portugal residents can expect to make some significant savings.

A single person’s monthly living costs in Portugal (excluding rent) is usually around €600. On average, rental prices in Portugal are 26.5% lower than in the UK.

A one-bedroom city centre apartment is likely to cost between €500 and €1400, whereas if you choose a similar apartment outside of the city centre, you can expect to pay monthly rent between €400 and €900.

You can expect to pay in the region of €120 per month for essential utilities (including electricity, heating, cooling, water and refuse) for a one-bedroom apartment.
If you enjoy eating out, you can expect to pay between €25 and €70 for a three-course meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant.

A basic grocery shop, including milk, bread, eggs, cheese and fruit, will likely cost around €18. If you add a bottle of mid-range wine, this will cost between €2.50 and €7.

If you’re retiring to Portugal, you may be looking for ways to stay on top of your spending.

Here are some tips to help you stay on track with your monthly budget as a retiree expat in 
Portugal.

• Research your shopping options. If you want to reduce your monthly grocery bill, buying certain products from particular supermarkets could help you to save money. Find out if a local market is close to you, as many of these offer produce at lower prices than the supermarkets.

• Get to know your heating and cooling systems. If you’re moving to Portugal from the UK, having an at-home air conditioning system might initially seem alien. Learning how to use the system efficiently is crucial to keep your monthly bills down. Installing shutters and blinds can help to keep the heat out during the day.

• Plan your route. If you’re driving somewhere, find the toll roads on a map before you set off. You can save money by planning a route that avoids toll roads. If you’re planning a trip in advance, you could also consider booking public transport. Getting a great deal is sometimes possible if you book your tickets in advance.

• Learn where the locals go. Eating out at local establishments is usually cheaper than visiting restaurants in tourist towns and cities.

• Be prepared to share. Many people living in Portugal enjoy sharing food and wine. Once you’ve lived in Portugal for a while, you’ll probably find yourself dropping round to a neighbour with a freshly-baked cake or bag of fruit - and it won’t be long before they return the favour!

Where to Look for a Job

Portugal ResidentIf you’re looking for work in Portugal, there are a few options to kickstart your job search.

People from the EU/EFTA can search for jobs using the European Job Mobility Portal (EURES), which the European Commission administers. In addition to the job search function, you can use it to upload your CV and find advice on securing employment in Portugal.

The Portuguese Public Employment Service (Instituto de Emprego) is a great place to start if you’re looking for public sector jobs. Other popular job search websites include SAPO Emprego, Net Empregos, Indeed and Empregos Online.

Are you looking for English-speaking jobs? Visit the JobsinLisbon website and pick up a copy of an English-language newspaper like The Portugal News or Portugal Resident.

Want to work for a specific organisation? Revise your CV and send a speculative application to businesses you particularly want to work for. Look at the company website or contact the HR department to find out what current vacancies are on offer. 

Conclusion

Ready to start planning your retirement in Portugal? If finding a new tribe is your priority, meeting new people in Portugal is relatively straightforward - as long as you know where to look!

Whether you’re looking for friends or a new partner, retiring in Portugal will open many doors to making new connections.

Spend time learning to speak the language, learn about the local culture, join a few expat communities or social groups, and in no time, you’ll have a new circle of friends to live your best retirement life alongside.