Portugal is the oldest country in Europe, with the same defined borders since 1139.
Before that, it was part of the Umayyad Caliphate and the Roman Empire.
The country is home to the oldest bookstore chain in the world, Livraria Bertrand, which opened its doors in 1732.
Here, too, is one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Coimbra, which began molding young minds in 1290.
Portugal is a top surf spot—one of the best in Europe—thanks to 500 miles of coastline and weather that’s said to allow for good surfing 364 days of the year.
Being not a surfer nor a fan of cold waters, I won’t be putting that superlative to the test.
Half of the New World once belonged to the Portuguese Empire, which was one of the longest-lived colonial powers, lasting for almost six centuries. The country began its colonizing in 1415 and carried on until 1999, when it returned Macau to China.
Portugal was also the first colonial power to abolish slavery, in 1761… half a century before France, Spain, the U.K., or America.
Portuguese is spoken by more than 230 million people worldwide and is the official language of nine countries.
Tempura was invented by the Portuguese.
In the 16th century, Portuguese sailors introduced the Japanese to a specialty from back home—peixinhos da horta, green beans battered and deep-fried in hot oil.
The word tempura is thought to come from the Latin tempora, meaning a time of Catholic fast. During fast periods, when meat was prohibited, the Portuguese would deep-fry vegetables instead of fish or chicken. Peixinhos da horta translates as “little fish of the garden.”
The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon, over the Tagus River, is the longest in Europe, at 10.7 miles.
Portugal is the seventh-safest country in the world, with the 12th best health care according to the WHO.
The climate and the landscape are mirrors of California.
Europe is comprised of 44 countries according to the U.N…. though I count 46… and the EU includes 27.
Among these I put Portugal near the top of the list for anyone looking for a place to live, to invest, or to formulate a Plan B in Europe…
There have been some headline-grabbing changes in Portugal in recent years…
Portugal’s reputation as an offshore haven took a knock.
But the truth is, Portugal still stands out from the crowd.
The option to buy property and get a Golden Visa has been abolished and Portugal’s preferential tax scheme for expats, the Non-Habitual Resident Program (NHR) closed to new applicants back in 2024.
But I always say that taxes should not be your primary consideration when moving overseas… overall bang for your buck is key…
Portugal’s Golden Visa still exists—you can invest €500,000 in a fund and get the Golden Visa. Or you can invest in a business, or Portuguese culture.
And if you want residency in Portugal, the most straightforward route—the D7— is simply to show you have at least €1,500 per month in income. That path remains as easy as ever.
I called it right that Portuguese property was set for a boom… anyone who bought well here in recent years is likely now sitting on nice capital appreciation…
But compared to back home, there are still plenty of bargains, with property in much of Portugal remaining more affordable than in many parts of the U.S.
The overall cost of living in Portugal remains among the lowest in Western Europe… and if you become a resident, health care is free or nearly so.
“We can’t believe how much this is just like home,” one Californian couple at a past Live And Invest In Portugal Conference told me.
“We’re thinking we’ve found our spot. Why in the world would we stay in California with its high cost of living, high cost of real estate, and high taxes… when we can have a better life in the same setting here?!”
So, there are lots of reasons to love Portugal.
Here’s just a few more…
3,000 Hours Of Sunshine
The Algarve is the jewel in Portugal’s crown… and it’s where our 2027 Live And Invest In Portugal Conference will be taking place.
The Algarve enjoys more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, more than most any other destination in Europe. Summers reach into the 90s F, but most of the year is comfortable, with lows in the 40s F during December and January.
It’s a Californian climate with the same great beach-lifestyle opportunities… but at a lower cost… and the added benefit of beautiful historic towns to explore.
No Communication Troubles
Another significant benefit for anyone shopping for a Plan B destination is that you don’t have to learn to speak Portuguese. Many locals speak English.
While some may not be able to debate global economics with you in English, I’ve met few Portuguese who couldn’t get by in English… and in my experience many are fluent.
What About Culture?
This is Continental Europe, with all the cultural trappings you associate with that status. Portugal is also one of the most historically rich points on the planet… as you no doubt gathered from my opening paragraphs…
That said, you’ll find broader cultural options in France and Italy. That is partially a result of population sizes. Portugal is a country of only 10 million people, with 3 million living in the greater Lisbon metropolitan area.
What About Safety?
Old maps of Europe show the southwest corner of Portugal as the end of the world.
This country is surrounded by water and Spain, meaning limited access. As a result, Portugal isn’t on any path for refugees or foreign armies.
Portugal enjoys low violent crime rates. The only real safety concern is petty crime in the tourist areas.
What About Air Access?
You have good options for daily flights from the United States to Lisbon and seasonally to Faro, Porto, Madeira, and the Azores.
Again, Portugal makes the grade whether you’re looking to live in Europe full-time, to invest for capital appreciation (thanks to still-undervalued pricing) and cash flow (thanks to the healthy tourist trade), or a Plan B.
All things considered, Portugal is undefeated as a top choice in Europe.
Stay diversified,
