Are Expats Destroying Portugal?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks for all the comments, great points of view! If you need help moving to Portugal, we're here algarveaddicts.com/contact Drop us a line.

[@kendavies5358]

A lot of what you say chimes with my own experience and perceptions. Learning portuguese is, as you say, key. No matter how modest your level it opens so many doors to integrating into your community and living life to the full in this wonderful country.

[@royking7298]

Loved hearing the statistics about immigrants in the country. I've now been here 32 months. I am now partnered in life with a local Porguruese and am faring well with learning the language. Great topic and a great video. Thanks!

[@Larry-jh8gf]

I believe that while it's not feasible to make learning the local language mandatory, it is essential for anyone considering a move to Portugal. In my view, learning Portuguese is a sign of respect for the culture and community. I've seen communities here in the U.S. where some residents have lived for decades without speaking much English, and it can create a sense of isolation. I was initially set on relocating to Portugal when I retire in a few years, but I've recently started exploring Spain as well. A significant factor in this shift is my confidence in learning Spanish; I feel I could manage it well enough to get by. However, I'm less certain about my ability to pick up Portuguese. Especially living in an area where English is prevalent.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

It's a really good point, Larry, and something worth considering. If people want to get citizenship in Portugal it is mandatory to pass a Portuguese exam.

[@christobar]

Something that most people don't realize is that immigrant communities in the US historically took several generations to fully assimilate. There are Norwegian settlements in WI that spoke only Norwegian for two generations.

[@WyldStallion-bs9oo]

@@AlgarveAddicts I had dreams of moving to Madeira at one point. That has gone away now sadly. Mostly due to the reasons mentioned in this video.

[@shinyshinythings]

It’s not unrealistic to require that immigrants learn the local language, provided enough support is given to them to do so. The French government requires that immigrants have at least an A1 level of French when they renew their visas; that will be increasing to A2 in 2026. However they also provide free and low-cost French classes to immigrants. Those who are working even have a “training allowance” that can be used for learning French, which you get at the start of your third year of work.

[@christobar]

@@WyldStallion-bs9oo what reasons?

[@YOLONOW5280]

We are so excited to start our relocation journey to Portugal. I hope we can add value to the community. We don’t drink, smoke and are totally into enjoying the nature, food and learn the Portuguese language. Great content 🙏🏽

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Enjoy the ride, Frank!

[@johnsousa2558]

Almost all my family and some friends left Portugal 🇵🇹 to create a new life in Canada 🇨🇦. Many have made a lot of money working in Canada and could return to Portugal and resettle comfortably. They choose not to. When I return to Portugal, I enjoy meeting other people from different parts of the world who love Portugal and want to integrate into the community. Portugal needs tourism and outsiders investing in Portugal . It's happening like this in Canada and other countries around the world as well. It's not a so-called problem that is unique to only Portugal these days. The world is becoming a global village.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Absolutely, well said John.

[@LucianoMMatias]

Uma grande aldeia onde grande parte não consegue viver…

[@johnsousa2558]

@AlgarveAddicts For myself. I can and want to return to Portugal 🇵🇹 because of my financial stability. The unfortunate truth is I wouldn't suggest my children return to live and work in Portugal for a Portuguese company, as you stated in your videos . I hope one day that younger Portuguese don't have to leave their country for better financial stability elsewhere.

[@kappa2ou3]

@@LucianoMMatiasGrande parte? Gostaria de saber quem são essa “ grande parte”

[@LucianoMMatias]

@@kappa2ou3 onde grande parte debate-se para para ter um vida condigna.

[@GlenHunt]

Being "that guy" who drives up housing costs has weighed heavily on my mind since I learned about the housing crises Portugal and other countries are facing. Not that I think it's necessarily a bad thing, I'm not applying for a golden visa, but a D7. I won't be living in an enclave of my own kind, but a village with mostly Portuguese people. I see myself as an immigrant to someone else's country. I am not wealthy, but will have more than enough to be self-sufficient, live well, be secure and keep contributing. I am working to learn the language and exceed minimum requirements before I ever set foot there. There are other valid complaints I have worked to address and believe I am doing a good job with it all. Something that I had not considered is that Portugal's colonial history rivals that of most other global colonizers. What this means to me is not that I have something to rub their noses in, but that I don't have to wrestle with my conscience quite so intensely because we are largely of the same ilk. I am doing what I can to integrate without being a burden or a stand-out, and hopefully be a benefit, both economically and as an eventual citizen.

[@CarlosRodrigues-xz2bs]

Whatever Portugal’s contribution to the sins of the past are pales in comparison to the murder and pillaging America has done in the last 50 years using their military which you are a veteran off.

[@christobar]

As I am buying a house in PT in a couple weeks, this also weighed heavily on me. However, immigrants alone don't account for the property value inflation and indeed we are buying from a Portuguese developer and every place I have ever stayed in PT was owned by Portuguese small business owners. Immigrants are always an easy target to blame for a place's problems.

[@saragomes6242]

Qual problema de habitação? Portugal não é só Lisboa ou Porto, problemas de habitação já existiam,antes de emigrar em 1988 já falavam dos problemas das casas no centro de Lisboa, quando voltei em 2002 eram os mesmos problemas, mas nunca vi ninguém se preocupar com os pobres das aldeias, que não tinham ninguém para os ajudar a ter casas dignas só porque eram proprietários dessas casas,o problema foi a mudança da lei das migrações de 2017

[@GlenHunt]

@@saragomes6242 True, correlation is not causation. It's never just one thing, but as an immigrant I feel it's a good idea for me to be prepared to do what I can to minimize my effect on real as well as perceived problems.

[@maxflight777]

@@GlenHunt🎯

[@eqyogi]

I’m learning Portuguese right now 🙌🏼

[@briany7658]

Same. It's not an easy language to learn...at least for me 😂

[@LucianoMMatias]

Não é uma língua muito fácil de aprender, mas se tentar ler e ver vídeos em português (de Portugal e não do Brasil) é uma boa ajuda. Boa sorte!

[@bomcabo]

Wow! Loved this video, Nick! Please, don’t get discouraged, this channel is definitely going forward! We have actually done the opposite of what you’ve done, only that we are Brazilians! We have embraced most aspects of South African culture, including the Afrikaans part - both my twin sister and I have Afrikaans husbands and live on a very colourful region, the Garden Route. It’s been over 20 years for myself, nearly 10 for my sister, but we cannot imagine not living where we live! We met our husbands whilst we were living in London, UK, many moons ago - see the twin pattern here? Love Portugal! Our sister lives in Serra da Estrela. Can’t wait for our next visit to Portugal again! Muitíssimo obrigada pelos seus vídeos tão informativos. Mirian and Lirian ❤❤

[@AlgarveAddicts]

What a lovely message, thanks guys!!! 💯😘

[@bomcabo]

@@AlgarveAddicts❤❤

[@mbcase]

What a well done video. You a great "explainer" of the facts, figures and reality of immigration in Portugal, without the drama that often accompanies these discussions. Liked the humorous inserts also! 8-)

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks so much 😊

[@LoveLearningInDorset]

Great facts Nick and 100% agree about learning Portuguese and embracing the culture 👍😊

[@speakeuropeanportuguese]

I integrated from day one, I couldn't have lived here any other way. I was originally living in Santa Barbara, which was full of Brits. Most of which didn't even attempt to learn the language. I learned fairly quickly though and it was worth the effort. I loved the language and 35 years later and I am teaching it to foreigners. This and my two Portuguese sons, was my contribution to Portugal. 😊 My life has been very different to most expats...

[@skelm4978]

I moved from the Netherlands in 2000. Worked as a nurse with estrangeros because I speak Dutch, English, and German. Portuguese language is difficult for me, as it is nasel and I wear hearing aids. I love the Portuguese people and culture.

[@portlandsean]

Thank you for not shying away from this topic. It is an issue in many city’s all over the world. Just by our existence we are all guilty of being a burden on the planet. Having a home while others do not. Polluting by air travel or buying cheap goods shipped across oceans. Being aware and talking about it is a good thing.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

It took a lot of thought to do this, but I'm happy I did. Thanks Sean.

[@imnolte]

Always indigenous peculiarities, but would suggest it's widespread because monetary debasement gradually chokes-out the middle class + urbanisation.

[@EtikBenjamin]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts 🎉

[@autumnlynn]

I have been wanting to move to Portugal for a couple of years and plan to start making that move next year. I've already been learning Portuguese. Luckily, I'm 8th generation Floridian an spent a lot of time trying to learn Spanish, so I'm mainly learning by translating Spanish to Portuguese. I love the Latin culture, I love the diversity we have in Florida, and I can't imagine moving to Portugal and not integrating and becoming part of the community. That's the best part!! And btw, I am looking at Porto for relocation.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Awesome, have you visited Porto yet?

[@autumnlynn]

@@AlgarveAddicts Honestly, I have not. So I probably shouldn't make assumptions as to ending up there permanently haha. I'll visit soon. I have been meaning to go but my son was living in Spain for a bit, so I spent some time there in Valencia. Have you been? What are your thoughts?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yes, I've been there many times, it's absolutely amazingly beautiful and I love it. I just couldn't live there because of the weather. I need the sun.

[@anasttau9908]

American people are not British people, you will not be accepted here as the British, you can bet on that.

[@michaelthatcher3825]

Great stuff Nick, really spot on. I am 79 nowadays have been in the Algarve for 20 years, best decision I ever made. Regarding the non-integration bubbles you raised, I think most of them are/were created by the golf clubs, Quinta de Lago and the Golden Triangle enclave being a great example.

[@lauras8674]

I really liked this video! It gives you a good perspective on what's happening everywhere. This problem is happening in Colorado. We also have a housing shortage here. However, developers are building homes and apartments that a lot of regular people just can't afford! The cost of living here far exceeds what people can pay! An issue with greed is world-wide!

[@graceclermont2592]

Well explained Nick very well explained 👏 👍

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks Grace 🙏🏽

[@ASouFa]

In Portugal, the great risk of culture and customs loss is not from expats, who are usually older, retired, don't bring their kids and etc. The greatest threat is the uncontrolled immigration, specially from countries which culture and customs differ so much from the Portuguese, they will most likely never fully integrate into the country, and they arrive demanding changes to accommodate them. There are already many "aldeias" that feel like other countries. Expats do, however, tend to drive prices up, mainly in real estate, due to their higher buying power. Sadly, I see all the changes, for when most Americans weren't aware of Portugal, I grew up going there, once my background is Portuguese. I am on my 60's now, so I have seen a lot of changes.

[@shinyshinythings]

7:33 There are benefits that come along with bringing money into the local economy, but it’s a balancing act. And the impact is not made more positive by the Portuguese government making one of the requirements to get the visa having a purchased property or a 12-month lease. Foreigners end up paying crazy prices, or doing things like paying for the whole year of rent in advance, just to be selected by a landlord. Contrast this with France, where to get a visitor visa, you only need to show that you’ve rented a place for three months, or Spain, where you just have to have an address you’ll be staying in to get the visa, although you’ll need a six-month lease in hand in most places to get your residency card. Most foreigners coming in rent short-term places (which of course bring their own issues) until they can secure a lease. That means they aren’t buying/renting sight unseen prior to their move, which in general means they are less likely to pay inflated prices. At least that’s the way it seems.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

I'm not sure that putting the 12 month rental period back to 4 months (like it used to be) would help? Do you think it would?

[@kathydm2755]

Great perspectives on immigration you have there. I am from Australia where immigrants have heavily influenced our culture food and diversity since the second world war. If anything, immigration is preventing population collapse here. Our housing costs are some of the most expensive in the world, but that's more a reflection on lack of investment by successive governments than immigration.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

That is interesting. Help me understand a bit more, how could government investment have brought house prices down? By creating low cost housing like they're attempting to do here?

[@franciscoarroyo7498]

Live in Florida for 10 yrs,try to come back, and can't return to my old neighborhood. I am waiting on my European passport to buy a second home, and Portugal is top on my list, not looking to live in any area that is a tourist destination. My first language is Spanish , and I thought learning would be easy ,I believe I'm almost there since I can answer what they ask over the phone 😂.

[@teresacarapeto7490]

Thank you for this video. 😊

[@AlgarveAddicts]

You're welcome Teresa. 👍🏽

[@jennybertenshaw7694]

We retired here in 2010 having lived as ex pat Brits in the Netherlands for over 35 yrs so we knew a little about living in a country not our own, and what sort of commitment it would be.We have tried very hard to speak the language, though living in pria da luz you have to fight very hard to be allowed to Busy waiters just haven't got the time to be patient a nd we appreciate that, nevertheless one of us has just taken the exam the other will only speak portuguese when out As to the medical we can afford to pay for private so we do Sadly one of us just had an unusual stroke and we are so glad we getting excellent care from Alvor hospital .We pay a very large amount of tax every year Enough to keep a family of four we always say but we feel it is our contribution to this beautiful country,We are privileged to live here love your site Nick would love to speak Dutch with you one day

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks for following along Jenny. I speak a little Afrikaans but it's fading fast 😊

[@gjmarc]

I have watched a few of your videos. What you say is true, I lived for 10 years as an expat in another country and found expats tended to stick with their own nationality, constantly complain about the local culture and be like hermits living in a bubble. I have always tried to embrace the local culture no matter where I am and learn some of the language. Once you get outside the major cities, you need to be able to communicate, even if your language skills are limited. As far as multi national adding to the economy, I guess that big Ikea outside of Faro has provided a lot of jobs for locals.

[@DagmarMetzler]

Dang Nick, love your view! When's the next house party?! LOL e ate logo!

[@Kevz8611]

Hey Nick, haven't watched your videos in some time now. This one caught my attention though. I guess cause I'm living here now I've become uninterested in watching Portugal content. Lol. You do make valid points, but I've never been interested in integrating. I'm not on the social side of things at all, and I'm happy this way. I work from home, I have my own family, life is busy, we do our own thing and that's totally fine in my opinion. I honestly struggle with the language, I try but it's definitely not easy.

[@MissCagoita]

Yes the impact has been huge. Teachers and doctors can't afford a flat. Its utterly ridiculous thanks to lack of vision. We all need expacts as this is how countries develop together but not without proper control. The result? At this point Portugal is good for everyone except portuguese people themselves. I for one, don't intend to return anytime soon other than for holidays to visit the family. Its not even expacts really but people that don't even live in the country but just bought homes for investment. Cost of living is better in London (and London is pretty expensive)

[@Hdio99]

From Portuguese, the house problem is really a big problem for young people mostly, and yes foreigners they provide money to the system, but you see, in Portugal there is to a entrepeneur mentality witch is pay little and little vision derived from yes the past, I would say that will gradually change ( I hope) mostly because if the worker is more educated and the company depends on him , if not they imigrate, but this is a mjor problem , its like the streams of money that is going in , they dont get distributed equaly, and most are going to foreign investors, and its easy to get this, who can invest the Portuguese population on the houses? just a few, most are the already ritch families and foreign investor groups that are constantly scanning... On another subject the health system, there I dont think its the foreigners the problem, not at all, the problem is more a quicly aging nation, the older you get the more care you are going to need and if young people dont have children ( and its not stimulated ) because its expensive to raise kids, and younger people are in a modern culture of selfiness too, so with low incomes they prefer to have travels, pets, good mobiles, a car etc... so they put more this in front in their top choices, having a kid is hardly a first choice has it was, this is the trend of modern days when you have to make choices...but ineficencies of goverment and a well known very ignorant and small elites thats we have been having this past 300 years, yes small country , small group of elite people, that they did not have money problems but they to sufered from world separation and their mentality a little bit in the past, so if the elites dont push hardly any country goes forward fast, you see the revolutions were not deep they were soft and so more or less always Portugal goes sailing through times...that is why now you see the right parties going up in the poles...why if there is billions coming and groing why if we are now open to the exterior, why is the question, because not balaced distribution on money and resourses , poor elites without vision, and goverments that have not been to good ( as you can see by the country default in 2009) govements are weak , lacking politicians with vision ( witch is not just a portugal problem...I mean in Europe and in the US there is not prolific politicians, that is why the west is slowly losing its past power, easy to see)

[@gloucestergarden3441]

Thank you. Retired medic. I am unfortunately in the process of selling our apartment in Pateo , Albufeira. My wife has had a series of strokes and is now bed bound and we have been back living in the UK for 3 years . My wife needs regular paid carers . I loved our ten years in Portugal. We had many Portuguese and other nationalities as friends. My Portuguese idioma is still not good despite many years of Duolingo ! The tenses in Portuguese are not easy. We had an excellent cafe within walking distance and a good social life . We had Ukrainian refuges a delightful family, living in our apartment for a year or two because my wife can no longer travel and it is just no fun travelling without her. My advice would be to buy in a mixed block where there are at least some permanent residents and locals and probably to avoid exclusively holiday rentals. Integration is well worth the effort. I am very happy to recommend Portugal as a place to live. Lovely people, our oldest ally . Good climate and about as far from Russia as one can get in Europe !

[@eqyogi]

@@gloucestergarden3441 ❤️ I’m a paramedic too, I’m glad to hear you had some wonderful times in Portugal, I trust things are as smooth as possible with you and our wife right now 🙏💫

[@claesbaud6951]

Portugal has been successful attracting people but totally forgot to build houses for us... Compared to Spain who develop lots of tourist housing. And if you decide to build like we did in 2018, the processes are crazy.... Now, after 7 years we hope to get our habitation license (for a T2 house in Cascais).

[@simplylive2466]

I agree with much of what you are saying. Two things.. I think to be more integrated, western country immigrants need to get away from their elitist use of the term "expat", which definitionally only applies to those expatriated from another country for a short time and still think of their home country as home. Many portugueses say they feel it is elitist and it annoys them, when really, we are "immigrants" just like those from other nations. Regarding house price escalation; while I sympathise with the situation, we also need to remember that it has been the portuguese sellers/landlords who have largely set the selling price to maximise profit (understandably) and make the most of opportunities. It just feels a bit rich that now the problems that has caused are those who have inadvertently been "overcharged" in that process. Agree about learning the language, I have struggled badly with it and still trying to learn.. free government classes are available. And also your experience in Portugal is determined by the culture of each town, same as any country.. my previous location was horrible; but recently moved to a new small town and the locals have been AMAZING and speaking to me fully in português which is really helping me learn!

[@pedropereira2211]

thank you for acknowledging that the terminology "expat" is an elitist one and frowned upon by the locals because when the portuguese move to another country they are emmigrants like everybody else.

[@eduardoserrao7372]

The positive effects are obvious. There are always some problems, but overall this trend is great for the country, I think.

[@seus2731]

I can understand why some Portuguese people feel that way. Brazilians immigrants are the larger group of immigrants in Portugal... Brazilian immigrants are not like the mayority of European or American immigrants, which are moving to Portugal for retirement or to buy their seasonal homes. While the primary reason for the nayority of Brazilians to move to Portugal is to improve their economic situation. Also Brazilian immigrants are the ones who use the government social programs and benefits thanks to the Certificate of Right to Medical Assistance (PB-4) And The Equality Statute between Brazil and Portugal.

[@mickymack1230]

There are no ex-'pats in Portugal! There are foreign immigrants in Portugal but no ex-Pats.

[@Bluemart856]

House prices grow everywhere this is true but in the uk for example they typically grow 5% a year if you look at the algarve alone its been growing between 12 and 14% every year since 2020, its madness

[@christobar]

That's only because their house prices were very oppressed for a long time, at this point house prices are normalizing to where they should be based on the economic inputs in PT.

[@maxflight777]

The best way of asking “how will algarve prices play out in the future? Is to look at the last 15 years. People value safety, clean air, excellent climate. As cities such as London/Dublin and Amsterdam turn dangerous (I’m not exaggerating, I wish I was ) then the Algarve becomes more and more attractive. It isn’t madness (as you posted @Bluemart) it actually makes sense if you ask people why they moved here.

[@maxflight777]

The key factor is supply and demand. If you look at a typical detached 4 bed villa with a pool… They currently sell for between €1.5 and €2.5M The problem is there are not that many of them ! They aren’t building any ! (There are some nicely designed 4 bed, 3 bath “terrace” or condo designs … but they sell for €2.5M plus ) So what does the future hold for the traditional 4bed Vila on its own plot if they aren’t building them ? I can see them in tin excess of 10% a year for the next 20 years. Supply and demand

[@rusty-films]

Yes! Learn to speak Portuguese. That is the key to longterm imigration

[@LukeTPZ]

Almost 54% of Portuguese income is travel/tourism. Almost all modern infrastructure is built from EU funds and the new houses paid for incomers. Everything Portugal has now is from money made *OUTSIDE* the country. The flip side is reverting back to a Medieval fishing village…but those under 45 won’t understand that and just think everything they see around them as belonging to (or rather ‘of’) their ancestors hard work. It’s not. (But none of that is to excuse not at least trying to learn the language…although locals need to be encouraging…your version isn’t even the dominant version, so BE PATIENT).

[@cloureiro]

@@LukeTPZ According to The Agencia de Gestao da Tesouraria e da Divida Publica (IGCP 2024), in 2023, tourism accounted for 9.5% of Portugal's GDP, 48.6% of its services exports, and 19.9% of its global exports. I would love to see data to support the statement, " Almost all modern infrastructure is built from EU funds, and the new houses are paid for by incomers. Everything Portugal has now is from money made outside the country."

[@marco_cee_]

@@LukeTPZ 87% of stats are just made up on the spot.

[@mikeduhacek7956]

What you've explained is happening all over the world. Locals are being pushed out of urban centers by foreigners and investors.

[@janyshendrickson3833]

This is very brave of you Nick, to broach this suspect. I suspect immigration is a very touchy subject in any country experiencing an influx of refugee and non-refugee immigration. As you said, large numbers of newcomers does inevitably reshape your traditional communities and that often presents a series of challenges.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hey Janys, yes I felt I should step out of my corner so to speak and address this issue. Now I can go back to filming coffees and lunch!! Heheh, just kidding.

[@janyshendrickson3833]

@AlgarveAddicts 😅😅😅

[@GaryPozner]

I agree! I am a Native NYer and if I didn’t buy my apartment in 1997, I wouldn’t be able to live there. I have spent a good deal of time in the Algarve from 1999 to the pandemic. We hope to come back by next school year. 🙏

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Looking forward to having you 😂

[@anasttau9908]

of course not! British people are europeans, I love British people in Portugal, you are very nice people.

[@marco_cee_]

It's not just the economy, it's the culture and customs. Give it another generation, and the culture will be changed irrevocably.

[@maxflight777]

That might not be wholly negative!

[@TheMountainBeyondTheWoods]

@@maxflight777 You're saying you're for the portuguese culture to change? As someone who doesn't like that thought I 'm curious to know why you'd think that.

[@afaria6173]

@@TheMountainBeyondTheWoodstypical attitude of those that feel they are on the periphery socially. The truth is if you immigrate to a different country you will to some degree always be on the periphery. He wants Portugal to change to suit him.

[@mirkokid]

Sim.

[@keylime2998]

Why is housing becoming more expensive if population is declining? If this continues, will housing go back down? …. Or are locals leaving certain area of Portugal?

[@stephenjarzombek2903]

It is likely due to demand in central cities where more jobs are available. Many travel vloggers have shown smaller villages in the interior that are virtual ghost towns due to lack of jobs.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yes, over the last century there has been a large move to Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve from the interior (general urbanisation in search of better jobs etc).Often homes are just lying abandoned in the interior.

[@pedropereira2211]

Population is not declining quite the opposite. Portugal never had so many people living here permanently, what happens is the portuguese ethnic stock is declining. But there is a point you are missing, tourism. Portugal receives around 27 Million tourists annually, that means that there must be housing for them, as well and tourism continues to flourish. Those tourists represent 2.7x Portugal's population. On average 80 Million overnights. That is huge! For comparison purposes the UK receives 30 Million tourists annually which is 0.4x it's population.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

@pedropereira2211 Hi Pedro, I disagree with you about the population decline. I clearly pointed out the population in 2001 Vs population in 2021 unless my statictic sources were incorrect? You do bring up an excellent point about the tourism figures as a percentage of population though.

[@pedropereira2211]

@@AlgarveAddicts my reply seems to get deleted.

[@Juno_Doran]

Immigrants in Portugal are a really good thing, however I find it really frustrating the ones who go there to buy cheap houses to sell as investment, not to live in them, adding to the housing crisis problem. Those houses are then sold mostly to rich foreigners for holidays and they will sit empty for a large part of the year, which doesn’t help in creating a local community. The locals and their families will never be able to afford them.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Agreed, but what many people often miss is that the locals selling those houses also benefit.

[@johanandersson2422]

The situation is complicated , we are soon getting to the same point as Spain where the " locals " hate foreigners with a passion . A normal Portuguese worker can no longer afford to live a "normal" life and are often treated as peasants by overspending foreigners that demand that everything here in Portugal should be as " at home" in Northern Europe or the USA.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

To be honest I never see that. However, I'm sure it happens occasionally.

[@SamRaph-p7w]

In the process of buying and locals I know have said I won't get a good deal as they think I have lots of money! Have had to walk away from many properties due to lack of flexibility. If you come and don't integrate what's the point. Meet the locals and learn. Also PT gov smart new golden visa for paying into voluntary initiatives for immigrants etc is v good. There has been a big change in over tourism in the last few years which is a shame but stick to smaller tradional villages and you get the real PT experience....

[@insolitmag5824]

Tourism destroyed my life. They put me out of house to fill it with tourists. My mother suffer the same. We have no place to live. Every place is for tourists... Its crazy!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Where did you move to? I assume you were living in Central Lisbon?

[@insolitmag5824]

@@AlgarveAddicts Porto.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yes, I feel for you. It's so hard.

[@jeffbrown3575]

Can you show your references? It would help your agruements, or point of view. Though as a Londoner I agree.The world is Globalising, it has been for a very long time. The first Maritime empire was Portuguese.

[@daylight5500]

All is good until someone get's hurt. It is the same all over the world. The haves and the have nots. It is wonderful if one is one of the ones(how many ones can I put in here) that benefit from the progress. Not all are that lucky. We are heading for a major crisis, internationally. The have nots will rise up and demand their time in the sun or as they say in South Africa, their turn at the trough.

[@Dmm108]

More than relocations I think it’s low cost lights and airbnb that have had a negative impact especially on city centres, wherever a Ryanair airport exists, making some cities and towns unlivable for the locals.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Great point, I think I agree with you! Tourism has definitely had a larger impact than relocations.

[@Bluemart856]

Airbnb it's something the government can control and can be regulated and limited see the protests in Barcelona for example, it's the same situation in many hot spots in Europe. The government has to step in

[@stephenjarzombek2903]

@@Bluemart856 There should be limits on numbers plus substantial increases in property taxes for non-owner occupied properties--not only in Portugal, but just about anywhere to discourage excessive speculation.

[@christobar]

@@Bluemart856 The problem with that theory is that places that have placed restrictions on tourism rentals have had no reduction in prices for long term rentals or property values. It's a simple more demand than supply equation. Most places (other than China) have not built enough homes in the past 20 years.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

It has been controlled here in Portugal in recent years, but hasn't seemed to solve the problem. It may well have stopped it worsening though.

[@afaria6173]

I'm not convinced having so many ex pats is a net plus for Portuguese people overall. Perhaps in a few enclaves but it's making life harder for Portuguese people in many parts of Portugal. The arrogance of some ex pats on social media doesn't help either. Some blow it off as oh it's a global cycle Portugal is no different. For those that need to hear it the truth, here it goes that dismissive attitude is pissing off the Portuguese and keep it up and you will at some point have hatred directed in your direction.

[@CarlosRodrigues-xz2bs]

@@afaria6173 I second that. podes falar bem alto.

[@maria.joao.2131]

I second that, too! Tem toda a razão.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

I agree but then the attitude of people generally on social media is disgusting. They're keyboard warriors and think they can type anything without it coming back at them. I can't bear Facebook anymore as too often I see the exact kind of attitude that you're mentioning here.

[@hjhiraniify]

Re difficulties in picking up the Portuguese language, a British immigrant/expat gave me this tip; think of it as speaking Spanish - but with Sean Connery's accent.

[@bomcabo]

That’s hilarious because it makes sense! That comes from a Brazilian!😂❤

[@mpt573]

it´s really simple, we appreciate respect and humbleness. If you come here as an American leave that loud arrogance and individualism at the door or we´ll make it hard for you. Learn the language, don´t be the smart guy.

[@Flute1-075]

I lived and worked in Lisbon 1989 & 1990. It’s was much better then, in my opinion. I understand the upside of foreign investment and tourism growth but places like Lisbon, Algarve etc. destroyed in my opinion. Bus loads of American tourist in the Bairro Alto was such a turn off. I visited Portugal last Fall and didn’t spend one day in Lisbon or Porto. Not worth it anymore.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yup, Lisbon is crazily overcrowded these days, but I feel the Algarve is better than it was 20 years ago. Better facilities, better transport etc however one could always argue that the charm has left. Sadly that's happening all over the world with more people and more travel and more globalization.

[@pensionnewschannel5176]

So replacing the indigenous population and bringing in an international community of all sorts is "what we need"? Not sure I quite agree.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

No that's not what Portugal needs. Maybe you were responding to a comment?

[@pensionnewschannel5176]

@@AlgarveAddicts not sure. Just saying that bringing home the young ones escaping poverty rather than encouraging foreigners profiting from poverty, is what a Government should be doing.

[@paulm.8554]

The situation in Portugal is complicated but certainly the Golden Visa scheme and all the digital nomads that flocked there have had a significant impact on the cost of living for locals. The larger cities are unaffordable for many Portuguese now; in fact, many people are forced to move out to more remote areas or move back in with their parents. The historic food markets in those cities are now mostly used by tourists and expats. It's really a shame to see how hard it is for many people to survive there now. Having said that, the situation in the interior and more remote areas seems to be a lot more positive as expats are buying and restoring many abandoned or run down buildings and making a real effort to integrate.

[@glennwhitlock1272]

Aprendem a língua, pessoal!!!!!!! Não sejam preguiçosos. Não há nada pior que um estrangeiro que já lá vive há 10 anos (ou mais!!) que mal sabe pedir um café 😩. Eu conheço alguns 😄 But, honestly, the government have to raise income for the folks struggling. Portuguese salaries are really low

[@dudeleboski2692]

I’ve met many Portuguese folk in the UK. Whole barrios of them……..

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yes there are many Portuguese people around the world. Apparently half as many as in Portugal.

[@ricardomachado6718]

I understand the question, but in my opinion: no. that said some "expats" are ....creating difficulties

[@AlgarveAddicts]

👍🏽 Tell us how Ricardo?

[@autumnlynn]

Expats are people who intend to relocate back to their home country or live part time. Immigrants are people who are looking to permanently relocate. They are not the same thing.

[@afaria6173]

@@autumnlynn Ex pats have zero loyalty to Portugal. They're just passing through.

[@alanmartins6349]

it's out of control, Take Terceira for example the house prices are outrageous at the moment and for such a small island where natives make nothing how are they suppose to afford a decent life.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi Alan, yes the housing crisis is terrible but in the video I was asking whether immigrants/expats are responsible for it. The percentage of foreigners in the Azores is 1.7%, so foreigners are unlikely the cause. Don't you agree?

[@gertvanderhorst2890]

If houses are dirt cheap, it means nobody can make a sensible kind of living there, hence the falling birthrates that are now kicking back as the labor market has deficits. Portuguese building workers where all over Europe in the nineties and early 00's, met some, mostly hard working decent guys, but they couldn't provide for their families by working in Portugal. Rising real estate is really a good sign, but it's more or less caused by the 'wrong' demographic.

[@estenegocio2024genial]

From 1928 that 3 words define Portugal. Fado - Fátima e Futebol = Blues - Religion & Footbal. We are since the 1500 a country that allways seek other realities that can transcend us, an emmigrant and immigrant people, just like in our continentel territory wich is a passage way to so many people, sometimes for several years in a row. Anybody that comes here, allways has something to experience that will not happen elsewhere. the inner population is always about 10 millions not mattering from wich country people are comming from. Portuguese from Portugal are about 8 million, islands included and the rest is a constant 2 million of everybody else. then if we count outborders Portuguese and their descent it´s another 15 milions in the theory of official numbers. The miscelanious population in Brasil after the discoveries is our deed, Because we were very few whenever we discover a new place we religiously married women in those places and originated new Portuguese all over the wordl. So the impact of expatriates its just another wave, it will pass and some will stay.

[@bomcabedal]

To me, the problem is a cultural one at least as much as an economic one. What you have is a social superstructure of foreign people that typically have more money and cause inflationary increases that the Portuguese suffer from. Meanwhile, many of these immigrants still get ensconced in social bubbles that makes communication and exchange very difficult, and turns them into an easily identifiable object of hatred. The MIL of my wife's friend is a good example. The older Algarve immigrants can be problematic, yes. I know some that have been coming to the Algarve since the 1970s and still hardly speak a word of Portuguese. These are people that don't shy away, while gobbling away their vinho verde, from continually complaining about "the Portuguese" as though they're children (and of course vote anti-immigration parties in their home country). Newer immigrants may be of a different attitude, but Portuguese society isn't always easy to penetrate for newcomers, and next to impossible for those that don't speak the language, so even more recent arrivals are often forced to remain among themselves. But a bit of self-criticism isn't amiss, either: if many Portuguese weren't so obsessed by the grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side idea that everything must be better abroad and emigrate at the first opportunity however ill-conceived, the country would possess more problem-solving mass and perhaps be better equipped to handle these issues. Is often see a defeatism that is difficult to overcome.

[@johnbutler4382]

Sorry but this doesn't just apply to Portugal. Look at Spain and the number of UK expats who live there. I know someone who has had a house there for 15 years and has never bothered to learn Spanish in all that time, something I find quite ridiculous. I couldn't do that.. I find it incredulous to not bother to learn a language if you're moving to a new country let alone live there for such a long time and expect everyone to just understand you because you speak English!

[@DagmarMetzler]

Can I be an Ambassador like you? 😊

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Aww, you're so kind Dagmar 😂✌🏼

[@klausfelsinger1113]

I think the observations are generally correct. But many Portuguese dont agree and there is a massive backlash against the excessive presence of foreigners. So dont expect the environment to be very welcoming. The language is actually quite difficult to learn as words are short (vs say Spanish) and spoken with poor enunciation. The video guy "can get bye" after 20 years... Also, the bureaucracy supporting foreign residents has pretty much broken down over the past few years. People have resorted to suing the government to finally get the visa renewals etc that they deserve. You need strong nerves and the luxury of plenty of time to deal with that. Consider this carefully before making a move

[@AlgarveAddicts]

How do you quantify this "massive backlash", Klaus?

[@klausfelsinger1113]

@@AlgarveAddicts I dont. This is an opinion not a piece of research.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Fair enough, my opinion is that there isn't a massive backlash against foreigners in Portugal.

[@klausfelsinger1113]

@AlgarveAddicts sure. I think this may also play out differently in the Algarve, where tourism and expats are such a dominant part of the local economy

[@travelingwiththeparkers]

Guilty as charged! 2 years here and can get by easily ordering food in a restaurant, but that’s the extent of my Portuguese. I really need to find a class locally to take 🤦🏽

[@simplylive2466]

Many schools run FREE government run lessons.. the ones with Centro Qualifica sections. You may need to register at a few to get in, as there are often waiting lists. But they are good lessons

[@travelingwiththeparkers]

@@simplylive2466thnx for sharing this! I live in Cascais and tried last year at the local high school, but was unsuccessful in getting in to their Portuguese night class. I wish I could find a way to locate all the other government schools available in the area.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Try asking at the Câmara or the local Junta de Freguesia.

[@travelingwiththeparkers]

@@AlgarveAddictsprefect. I will go this week. Thank you 🙏

[@pensionnewschannel5176]

too many Brazilians in the cities, too many British in the algarve.

[@NemesisTheInevitable]

There are 42 million Portugueses. We have around 1/4 of them living in Portugal... There is no way a normal Portuguese person can seriously be against migrations. It's a normal process and people have to adapt to it instead of fighting against it. To embrace change is to live.

[@afaria6173]

no there aren't 42 million Portuguese. Perhaps 15 million. The millions of Portuguese descendants living in Brazil are not Portuguese people just like the millions of English and German descendants living in the USA aren't English or Germans.

[@NemesisTheInevitable]

@afaria6173 if they decend from Portuguese parents and they consider themselves Portuguese as well, it's not you that will say they are wrong. No matter what you think, the portuguese community from all public sources is around 42 million people. Yes, most of them didn't born in Portugal, I'm not claiming otherwise. If they have citizenship, they are Portuguese.

[@afaria6173]

@@NemesisTheInevitable you are wrong there aren't 42 million people who are the children of Portuguese parents. Having citizenship also doesn't make one an ethnic Portuguese. It makes you an entrangeiro com cidadania Portuguesa. You will still be viewed as ethnically distinct from Portuguese people whose families have been in Portugal for thousands of years. Having Portuguese parents is not the same thing as being the descendant of Portuese people who settled Brazil as colonists centuries ago or the 4th and 5th generation of immigrants. Let's be honest you can acquire Portuguese citizenship and respected by most Portuguese people, but you will not be viewed as being the same as long as you have a foreign accent, phenotyte and mannerisms.

[@NemesisTheInevitable]

@afaria6173 very well. You have lots of Portuguese people that born for instance in Luanda, before 1974, and they are Portuguese. Their nacionality was always Portuguese. Their parents were Portuguese, Angola was a Portuguese colony... It is no more. So they should stop being Portuguese, as they born outside Portugal and the country they born in isn't Portugal. They never considered themselves Angolans, but that's what they actually are. Well, Angola belong to Portugal then, ok... But still it was another country and the only thing that change is that now it doesn't belong to Portugal. So thousands of Portuguese citizens that born in any Portuguese colony should have their nationality changed. Because they are not Portuguese in fact. Probably that doesn't make great sense to you. Also it makes no sense to me at all. So my point remains.

[@afaria6173]

@@NemesisTheInevitable Angola bears no similarity to Brazil.

[@jorgegomez524]

They are.

[@eqyogi]

Same housing issues in every major city all round the world.

[@briany7658]

That's very true. I live in Toronto and the prices here are crazy. Most young people here will never be able to afford to buy a house unless their parents help them.

[@LucianoMMatias]

At least in Portugal even in small villges housing cost have rizen in the last years. Were I live a 4 bedroom house was around 175.000€ 4 years ago, today the same type of house costs +300.000€!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yes, it's really hard to deal with, but another point I should have made in the video was that someone put that €300,000 price sticker on their house. In 90% of those cases it's the Portuguese selling their houses and benefitting from the increased house price. Often the foreigners get blamed for buying them, but the Portuguese seller benefits too. Obviously we all want the maximum amount of money for our house but this has led to where we are now. Many other factors have contributed to this too.

[@eqyogi]

@ 🙌🏼

[@TrevorJC]

I like this video, I think it's a great thing that Portugal is experiencing this. In a way, everywhere is or will be eventually. The key is to realize that change happens everywhere, and people will adjust to where they settle and vice versa. Nothing seems perfect in this world, but cooperation is good overall. Also, Portugal was originally settled by many different tribal and linguistic groups, some wildly different from each other. The new Portugal will be better for this continued development, without losing what's important to Portugal.

[@brnrds]

You're "immigrants", not "expats".

[@AlgarveAddicts]

In reality, the distinction between the two words is fluid and depends largely on context and perception rather than strict definitions.

[@brnrds]

@@AlgarveAddicts It depends on whoever chooses one or another wanting to be seen as different from the hoi polloi coming in from, say, North Africa. Pretentiousness, really.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Word play too...

[@ginapereira2301]

They’re so arrogant, they call themselves expats when they’re immigrants. When Portuguese move to England, they’re called immigrants, but these people who come to Portugal, think that they’re superior. So, they call themselves expats.

[@ginapereira2301]

Portuguese who move to England, they call them immigrants, but these people moving to Portugal, call themselves expats--how arrogant!

[@MaxWilly1979]

10% or 20% taxes for 10 years, you guys buy a house for free in 10 years... Is that fair... now Portuguese people cant buy a f.... house because its 2 to 3 times the price that it was 15 years ago... this is not going to be a good thing...

[@AlgarveAddicts]

The programme (NHR) I think you're referring to has been stopped.

[@jacquelinebalderas4204]

The Portuguese people deserve better. It’s their country and they should have rights. The housing is no longer affordable for the Portuguese people due to expats.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Not really. Maybe due to tourists in central Lisbon, Porto and the coastline of the Algarve, but as mentioned in the video it's clearly not because of expats moving here.

[@maxflight777]

@jacqueline you don’t really understand these things do you ?

[@rockybeagle1143]

Yes, this influx destroys not only Portugal but Spain too. Vloggers must STOP

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Oh ok, so it's the vloggers that bring people here? It's the vloggers that make the tax incentives? It's the vloggers that make the laws? Amazing, we do actually rule the world. What a lot of nonsense.

[@TheMountainBeyondTheWoods]

I'm not going to talk about the term expats because it's been beaten to death already, but I have a few comments. The real number of foreigners living in Portugal is much higher than 1 million when you count illegals and people who got Portuguese citizenship these past few years. Also, I see everyone making one small mistake, both people who are pro and against immigration, which is, putting all foreigneirs in the same basket when there are many different types. I understand people want to be polite and look at foreigners as one big group, but, and this might not be very nice to say, foreigners are not all the same, don't act all the same, and don't contribute or respect the country all the same. There's a big difference between a handful of westerners moving to Portugal, contributing to the economy, being respectful and enjoying the country, and being overall good citizens, and the flood of people from other parts of the world who poured into the country in recent years, bringing an increase in crime, unrest, stretching the different social systems, putting downward pressure on wages, being disrespectful and/or ungrateful, and contributing to the housing crisis due to their high numbers. The former is welcome, the latter, well, the latter can be an issue sometimes.

[@truusjenskens8485]

The portuguese salaries are extreme low...if i was a portuguese i would move to north europe and work there for big money...

[@AlgarveAddicts]

They do. Hence the population decline.

[@null7936]

As a Portuguese you are f. welcome. I worked abroad, have tons of friends exported. About "expact" :D will tell my friends to call themselves that, is more classy than "trolha na Suíça"

[@EJA-ym1rm]

Nick: I am living in the US and getting ready to retire.....thinking about VRSA, Faro and Olhao (and the Algarve in general) due in no small part to your videos. I have a grandparent that was born in Ireland so am applying for Irish citizenship through their Foreign Births Registry which, I understand, will allow me to obtain an Irish Passport (Republic of Ireland not UK). Once I have that, do I have access to the entire EU including Portugal? If I plan to live and possibly work there full time, will I need any kind of visa? The recent election here of a wacky wannabe dictator has me thinking (and many other Americans) that I should step up my plans. When I'm ready to go, I will be using you guys as a buying agent.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi Eja, the short answer is yes. As an EU citizen you can present yourself to the local Câmara and give proof of accommodation and you'll get temporary residency, which you can renew until after five years when you can apply for citizenship and get a Portuguese passport.

[@saintpreferred9223]

PT should allow immigration with tax breaks from certain countries only---the ones that have people WITH money and that will spend money and have skills to boost their economy (if allowed to work)....but they won't do that because, like the rest of the folks running the EU, that could be considered "racist."

[@afaria6173]

in that case I think that a preferred tax bracket should exist for the children, grand children and great grandchildren of Portuguese who immigrated from Portugal. I'm perfectly okay with preferential tax bracket for a specified period of time for those of Portuguese ancestry moving to Portugal.

[@augustoserrano]

Expats???? The correct name is imigrants

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Don't make me film a video about two words....

[@paulomendes4892]

i find portugal claustrophobic, squeezed betwen spain and the sea, i dream of driving across US states ,id gladly swap the 3 houses and lands im inherting for one in the states. People here arent laid back,theyre resigned ,which is a different thing. They accept any shit that happens to them. And boy are they envious

[@maxflight777]

I couldn’t care for your post…. But just so others are aware : *Portugal is not claustrophobic* as an example, the Algarve is a box, 100km wide, 40km high. Only 400,000 people live there!

[@autumnlynn]

Are you American?

[@paulomendes4892]

​@@autumnlynnMe? No im from Lisbon

[@paulomendes4892]

​@@maxflight777Being from here I think I know a little more than you. You see everything through your rose tinted anglo eyes😅

[@paulomendes4892]

​@@maxflight777 you must be a real estate agent or live off luring tourists into this place