For nearly a decade we named Portugal as the world’s #1 retirement haven, and we’ve been helping Americans and Canadians move to this little corner of Europe for over 10 years.
I recently got in touch with some of these Portugal expats and thought I would share some of their impressions and insights since moving to their newly adopted home…
Laura Fanning got in touch, very excited because she had just completed her residency process. “It’s been a crazy week, but I finally made it through my residency, I’m officially a Portuguese resident—yay!
“I moved to Portugal full time in November 2024 and the last several months have definitely confirmed for me that I made the right choice by choosing to live in Braga. The city has a very rich history.
“The Portuguese people are hard-working, warm, and welcoming. There are many cultural events and the Portuguese love to celebrate! Access to Portuguese classes and private tutors are readily available. The much larger city of Porto is 40 minutes from Braga. There is a very vibrant, kind, and active expat group in Braga which is very helpful and has made a significant difference in my transition to a new country.
“Public transportation is excellent and affordable; an Uber will run about 4 euros; and the city is very walkable. While modern and large grocery stores are available (and more expensive), I have learned to shop like the Portuguese and now have a favorite fruit and vegetable shop, butcher, and bakery all owned by small business owners. I only use the big stores for pantry items.
“There are many options to choose from for utilities, internet and mobile plans and prices are reasonable and competitive.
“I am using private health insurance and I have found the doctors and services to be excellent in the private hospital. Medical and prescription costs are absolutely amazing (mind boggling) in Portugal compared to the States.
“I chose to live in the city center near the train station and the building is quite new and has many modern amenities that I was used to in the U.S., like central heat, air conditioning, and a dehumidifier. However, housing prices, whether you buy or rent, are definitely increasing. And apartments with modern amenities are more difficult to find due to demand.
“Live And Invest Overseas, and in particular my Portugal Circle Membership,LINK were invaluable to me in building and executing a plan, making critical professional business contacts, and providing access to information and Facebook groups that made my landing in my new home relatively soft.
“It is an investment in my future that I would make again in a heartbeat.
“I will not be able to attend the Portugal Conference this year due to a family wedding back in the U.S. Hopefully I’ll see you all again in 2026!
“Special shout out to Portugal Circle Liaisons Jeff and Joch for all their advice and recommendations over the last 18 months—Obrigada!”
Wondering what Portugal CircleLINK is?
Years back, Publisher Kathleen Peddicord had a conversation with a conference attendee at one of our famous open-bar cocktail parties.
The gentleman said, “This doesn’t all stop once we make a decision and make a move overseas. We’re going to have a whole new life to establish and then to get used to… and we have no idea where all this will lead us next…
“I feel there’s so much more out there for us,” he went on. “This first step we’re taking now is only the beginning. We definitely are going to need your ongoing help!”
So it got us thinking… how can we provide the same level of support we offer our conference attendees, but on an ongoing basis?
As well as making sure a Circle Member could attend all of their preferred country’s annual conferences, we had to make sure we were connecting them with the on-the-ground help they’d need in the years ahead as they continued on their path to making a move.
After making sure we could do that, with the help of all our local contacts in each of our top countries, we created the Circle Memberships.
Why would you want to come to multiple conferences, year after year?
Our multi-conference attendees answered that for us…
Mitra and Yuriy Savchuk told us it’s all about the connections… “We’ve met our kind, you provide excellent information and excellent resources… laying the pathway to get out… We feel like every time we come to one of these things we make more friends… we took part in a couple of tours and it was very useful. We appreciate it and we appreciate you guys… you do an amazing job.”
But it’s more than just networking and making like-minded friends… we do our best to improve our content as each year passes, always offering new professionals, expats, and opportunities as we find new assets you can use to make the most of your new life in Portugal…
For example, Portugal Circle Member Glyn Chancey told us, “I found the mortgage presentation perhaps the biggest value-add over last year so far. Some eye-opening information on the significantly lower mortgage rates in Europe, not to mention the comprehensive overview of the process for obtaining a mortgage.
“Last year Lise and I visited with several of the realtors we met at the conference. The majority were used to dealing with mainly cash transactions for clients who did not want or need mortgages, so we had little information on whether we would qualify or not and if so on what terms.
“For LIOS clients from North America who fall in the seasonal visitor category, knowledge of how to access lower cost Portuguese mortgages combined with other insights gained at the conference, could change their perspective on the merits of investing in Portugal relative to North America.”
Plus, things change over time, and if you’re an expat, you need to be kept up to date on every policy, law, and regulation that might affect you…
Glyn adds, “The greatest value we’ve gotten from our Portugal Circle Membership is the flow of benefits over time.
“As a year-three ‘Portugal Circle infant,’ I am already deriving significant benefit from the continuous interaction and support. Looking out over the next few years it is not hard to imagine a stream of virtual and in person conference experiences and associated benefits. All for the one-time price of a membership.
“We have visited Portugal four times in the last two years and each visit has proven more interesting and fulfilling than the previous one.
“In large part we have our friends at LIOS and Portugal CircleLINK to thank for that. They have been there for us at every step of our journey in a myriad of ways, and continue to be.
Glyn continues, “We have traveled the length and breadth of Portugal (including the Azores) several times. While the climate, landscape, cuisine, and architecture vary considerably, the people are the same all over… friendly and welcoming and proud to share their history and culture with newcomers and visitors alike.
“In the short-term, we see Portugal as a regular annual holiday destination that offers an infinite array of attractive and interesting places to explore at very reasonable prices.
“As we steadily improve both our familiarity with the country and its cultures as well as our Portuguese language skills, the idea of residency becomes an increasingly interesting and viable one.
“Again, our initial investment in Portugal CircleLINK continues to pay dividends, as we draw on their insights and access to specialized expertise to evaluate options.
“We became Portugal Circle Members in 2022. We had registered for the annual spring Live And Invest in Portugal Conference in Carvoeiro and had to pull out at the last minute. Instead of taking a refund of the conference fees we elected to pay a little extra and lock in the benefits of a Portugal Circle membership.
“Since then, our Portugal Circle membership has been the gift that keeps on giving…
“We attended the 2023 conference in person and the 2024 conference via video streaming and plan to be regular participants into the future… all covered by the initial Portugal Circle fee.
“Thanks to our in-person participation in the 2023 conference, we were able to quickly access the excellent Portuguese health care system when we needed it and at low cost.
“Similarly, the 2023 conference introduced us to a wide range of real estate specialists with deep insights into both the rental and ownership opportunities across Portugal.
“Most importantly, the 2023 conference was where we met Portugal Circle’s dynamic duo, Jeff and Joch Woodruff, two American expats now settled in an idyllic corner of Northern Portugal, near Porto.
“Apart from them becoming good friends, these kind gentlemen have gone out of their way to make our every trip a memorable one and have helped make our Portugal Circle membership both an outstanding investment and social network decision.”
Gaylen and Nora Drape are another couple who have made their final move through Portugal CircleLINK…
“Tomorrow, my wife and I are celebrating the 6-month anniversary of our move from the U.S. (Florida) to Braga, Portugal.
“We just love it here!
“Our connections made through Portugal CircleLINK made the transition so much easier and stress free.
“In particular, the law firm LIOS referred to us LINK JOAO LP provided expert legal assistance throughout the Portuguese immigration process.
“We received approval for temporary residency only 6 months after submitting our application. Plus, the lawyer helped us obtain Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) tax status which will stretch our retirement budget.
“Finally, a special shout out to Jeff and Joch Woodruff, our Portugal Circle Liaisons for making it all possible.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”
Kat Kalashian
Editor, In Focus: Europe
