Pros and Cons of living in PORTUGAL!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Huge thanks for watching! Looking forward to your points of view here in the comments. If you need help, we're here algarveaddicts.com/contact

[@GlenHunt]

Keep these coming! I'm in the final stages of getting my full US military veteran's disability going (after a 36 year fight!), which means the D7 visa. I've been looking at Santa Luzia for some time because it's the logical choice for someone who is accustomed to living in relatively tranquil coastal cities with a fair amount of summer tourism and because the population of 1600 should work wonders for my PTSD. The changes to the tax scheme for us don't really worry me, but I do need to understand them before I go. If all goes well, I should arrive on my exploratory trip around the new year and make the move by spring.

[@DagmarMetzler]

Glen, take advantage of the Algarve Addicts services. We scouted in April with them, utilized their attorney and real estate, banking offerings.

[@DarthFurball]

Santa Luzia is a beautiful little spot, but one word of warning. The church does ring its bell every half hour 24 hours a day morning AND night. So if you're near the square and are a light sleeper just be warned... 😅

[@GlenHunt]

@@DarthFurball Very good to know. I have an acquaintance who moved there from exactly where I currently live. Huge coincidence for a village that small. I'll ask her about the church bell. Thank you for the heads up!

[@mgarcia2445]

@@GlenHunt I just discovered a lady who has a blog about moving to Santa Luzia as an expat. You might want to check it out. Her name is Barbara Grassey.

[@GlenHunt]

@@mgarcia2445 I've been in contact with Barbara for a couple years now. She's been a wealth of info and only has two more years until she applies for citizenship.. I found her through her blog as well. What's more, she used to live exactly where I do right now. Small world.

[@DagmarMetzler]

Super informative, Nick! Obrigada

[@jsilvamaintenance]

Obrigado ❤

[@diariesbyhelenv]

Loved your perspective on life in portugal as a foreigner. It's been 6 years I call Lisbon home and yeah, there are pros and cons

[@stephengale1692]

Wonderful composition , thanks very much for your candid honesty

[@AlgarveAddicts]

You're welcome and thanks for watching Stephen 👍🏽

[@TrevorJC]

I'm studying Portuguese; I love the sound of European Portuguese and the climate is very similar to where I grew up in Southern Oregon. I think Portugal will remain an excellent place to live for a long time to come. I can't wait to take a visit and see the countryside there. I loved your video about Alcoutim.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Awesome, thanks for watching Trevor 👍🏽

[@maxflight777]

Nick is correct. The food is fabulous! We can afford to eat out here three times as frequently as we would have done in the U.K. or Netherlands.

[@snertli]

Yeah, Nick - i agree with all points of pros & cons THANKs

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks for watching! 👋🏽

[@glennwhitlock1272]

Hey, Nick, some good points there. As you probably know, KZbin is now full of people telling the world how/why they're leaving the UK etc, which invariably leads to hundreds of comments from people wanting to do the same, whining about illegal immigration etc, without really considering the most important point (IMO) that you made about personal finances. The simple fact is that you either have an income from another country or you have a job to go to.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Absolutely true, Glenn, or you start up a business here, which is tricky but helps the economy!

[@DarthFurball]

also rather ironic that they are whining about immigration and are moving over as immigrants themselves

[@alanmartins6349]

​@@DarthFurballLol so true

[@travelingwiththeparkers]

Nice video. Just fyi, Amazon Spain as of last week has the option on your mobile app in English! You may have to log out and back in to have the English option appear.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Classic, that's great news, thanks. 👍🏽

[@MegaAffenjunge]

Pretty accurate. Interesting what you said about the way of communication of the Portuguese, I had fights with my Portuguese boyfriend because of exactly that, but I couldn't put my finger on it, now I know. Thank you :)

[@Larry-jh8gf]

Haha..glad you got it figured out. Now you won't have to use the bank to break up with him!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

It took me a long while to understand it, and then bam, an article I read resonated with me.

[@MegaAffenjunge]

@@AlgarveAddicts awesome. Thanks for sharing that wisdom with us. 🙂

[@AlgarveAddicts]

I also read this amazing book about the Portuguese and so I tracked down the author and interviewed him. Hopefully I'll be able to publish that this week.

[@MegaAffenjunge]

@@AlgarveAddicts looking forward 😊

[@Summer-bo9rw]

No HNR is great! It helps to keep Portugal authentic!!

[@johnsousa2558]

Hi Nick. Been watching your channel for a while and find your videos very informative and helpful. I wanted to ask if you would consider posting a video of your own personal experience of renovating your home with the pros and cons of the process. Obrigado

[@AlgarveAddicts]

I'd have to think about that, but it's so traumatic I'm not sure I could do it 😁

[@johnsousa2558]

@AlgarveAddicts I fully understand. I work in the trades in Canada 🇨🇦 and have been through some renovations of my own. It has been a challenge in Canada. Portugal 🇵🇹 is a different ballgame altogether from what I have seen and heard. Really enjoy your outdoor activities videos, which are much more pleasant than home renovations, in my opinion 😉

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hehehe, I agree!

[@jjoel609]

Lol, I was wondering about the New Mexico sign, too! Glad you got it hung up! Great list... The bureaucracy is the biggest con for me, everything else is manageable! Thanks!

[@IngridBerg-t9p]

Thank you, very interesting. I hear from expats the health care is good, in the news it says shortage of doctors etc, but unfortunately is the problem in many countries, I live in Canada the same problem, many people without a family doctor. And long wait for specialists . One thing I have hear, people who left the country come to see the doctor in Portugal, to be treated etc, tying the doctors , health care system. I was in Portugal this summer, fell down, went to the emergency in Porto, did not wait that long, and only cost me 18 euros, for the consultation, Xrays etc. in Canada I waited much longer in the emergency.

[@jillcordrey2534]

what type of insurance did you have?

[@IngridBerg-t9p]

@@jillcordrey2534 I live in Canada, I was on vacation in Portugal, I am Portuguese, I have my cartão de cidadão, I heard that at the emergency there is always a charge, however I was told if I needed to be admitted, then it would be free,

[@VictoriaChristensen-j9h]

You mention the low wages etc. here - I can confirm it is the same in Barcelona. I relocated here bc of the weather and got a job, but the wages kept me stuck and many places exploits expats; all your money goes to rent and your paycheck never grows. I was looking to relocate to Lisbon but conclude it will prob be the same situation. What advice would you give someone stuck in a rud bc of a country with too low wages? I'm trying to think creatively, to go to a country with better paid jobs and sort of stick it out with the weather for a while in hope to get something remote and THEN relocate? What is your take on this dilemma?

[@369dabbler]

NHR KILLED IT FOR ME

[@bentaprop]

This is really appreciated and I hope you will continue to give immigrants advice on how to complement and enjoy Portuguese culture and society. I fear many of the insults the Portuguese people feel in accommodation of foreign cultures. At least the government is actually doing things to provide affordable housing. In Seattle USA, our government does little other than minimal regulation changes. Big 👍👍 for Algarve Addicts (the healthy addition)

[@leonfish3983]

Great video, thank you

[@AlgarveAddicts]

You're welcome Leon, thanks for taking the time to watch it. 👍🏽

[@hyracer6684]

Only visited the Algarve for 5 weeks and quickly decided it wasn't for us. Will continue to winter in Mexico.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Enjoy Mexico! 😎✌🏼

algarve is the infamous turist trap. not particularly to be proud of but accepted. our culture is old and very rich, our language is poetic. our nation made many bold steps along the way, even now does. as we don't beg when in difficulties, we don't brag when in success. we are direct. we know our limits, but often surpass them. because of that work, and training, and the creative spirit in wich we find solutions the quality of our crafts is good in every field. and so we have good reasons to be proud.

[@Larry-jh8gf]

The bedside manner of doctors and nurses is a huge plus in my mind. Its very difficult to find that here in the US anymore. My experience with food has been amazing seafood, very good pork and chicken, but I haven't had what i would call good piece of beef yet. I did you discover cars for a rental recently. It was a great experience although I spent alot more than I expected when they pulled up a car that wasn't going to be able to haul us and our luggage. Upgraded to a much bigger vehicle! Like the Rt 66 sign!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hehehe, did you like that I hung it up after the video?

[@Larry-jh8gf]

​@@AlgarveAddictsNoin Rt.66

[@Larry-jh8gf]

​@@AlgarveAddictsKnowing Rt. 66 it would be better sitting crooked on the desk instead of hanging level.

[@Summer-bo9rw]

"Medical" people in the US are cold, ignorant, and arrogant!!

[@kateevansnomadicwriter]

We battled mosquitoes in much of Portugal and, to be fair, other parts of Europe and the UK. Why they don't have screens and ceiling fans is beyond me. Also, another con in Portugal to me is how steep and slippery and uneven and narrow the streets and sidewalks can be. I fell once...and saw a woman who'd fallen in Sintra and broken her leg.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yes you're right, although thankfully our mosquitoes don't have malaria 🦟 (although we have screens for mosquitoes and all kinds of gadgets when they come in the summer). Calçada is dangerous in the rain, no doubt.

[@upcycledcopycat8389]

Quick question... I've been to azores, algarve and malaga. I'm 68 and don't drive standard... Automatic only. Found it easy to find a rental both on the Islands and mainland where I was but almost impossible in Spain without$$$. I've been looking at Spains costa del sol but the changing drivers license over seems so archaic. But I've researched and it seems it's an easy process to simply just change from 🇨🇦 to Portuguese. I've also heard it's hard to purchase a vehicle both countries. Someone mentioned they had to get a friend or relative to buy it and then they changed ownership over. Seems stupid... But okay??? Also how easy is it to get a hybrid? $$$ duty and taxes etc. The one thing that I love about Spain is the trains, transit etc. Dint really need a car but Portugal... But so much

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hehehe, that's not a quick question or a quick answer. Have a look at this regarding driving licenses www2.gov.pt/en/cidadaos-europeus-viajar-viver-e-fazer-negocios-em-portugal/veiculos-e-conduzir-em-portugal/tirar-a-carta-de-conducao-em-portugal#:~:text=To%20obtain%20a%20driving%20licence,Foreigners%20and%20Borders%20Service%20(SEF) if you still have questions get in touch with us through our website on www.algarveaddicts.com

[@patrickharris9225]

Is living long-term in Portugal feasible for vegetarians/vegans? (e.g outside of Lisbon for instance, were l imagine options are greater).

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yes, we have vegetables here 😂 Seriously though, it's easier in larger cities than in small rural towns where it's more "meat and potatoes" kind of food.

[@TimosClaus]

The healthcare in the Algarve is good as long as you are willing to pay for it in the private system. If you need surgery via the Public system you will have to wait for up to years sometimes before you get a surgery. There are not enough family doctors, not everyone has got one. The centro saude system is a nice idea but works really slow Try to get an appointment when you are sick… that’s 3 weeks later on average or queuing in the morning in the hope they don’t run out of appointments before it’s your turn.If your child is sick it has to be sick on the days that the doctors for children are working. If you are pregnant you need to travel all the way to Faro because they have closed the maternity in Portimao due to lack of doctors. In Lisbon or Porto this is less of an issue but that means you need to travel +300km. Regards.

[@vossierebel]

What's your take on the migration issue impacting the country.. and digital ID and vaccine passports?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

I don't have the energy to get into that tonight, sorry, but I AM curious: what interests you in particular about it?

[@vossierebel]

@@AlgarveAddicts Yep, I don't blame you for not wanting to get into the topic on a Sunday evening! I could take the topic in a few directions but let me first say, I'm still on a SA passport, living in Ireland for the past 23 years. I see trouble if wanting to visit any EU country without getting all the demanded control measures in place. I don't want to be digitally scanned every time I enter or exit a country, that's for sure. My medical history is mine - I don't really want to be forced to carry a digital vax passport too! Also, I have seen what issues the illegals are causing here in Ireland - the Irish feel threatened in their own country - so do we! Is that happening there too? I recall seeing squatter shacks somewhere between Alvor and Portimao - many years ago. Is it an issue likely to develop into what we see in Southern Africa? Sorry for belabouring the point - are we just too sensitive to modern EU issues? You don't really have to answer... I'd love to go to Portugal, I feel a "familial bond" ... nothing like seeing Afrikaans on the Diaz Cross at Cape St Vincent! Nothing like coming from a long line of Ferreira's either! PS - thanks, I really enjoy travelling around Portugal with you - especially when you head up country to the central areas!

[@Summer-bo9rw]

@@AlgarveAddicts 😆

[@migueloliveira4242]

This characteristic the people from south is very true , in North the people is completely different .

[@Bluemart856]

With car rental I would not just look at the price (which can be misleading anyway, some companies don't include insurance fees or other fees applicable at pickup) I also look at the whole experience: I want to avoid the need to wait at a desk to pickup my vehicle for 45minutes - 1+ hour so now I only do "Key and Go" packages whenever possible

[@AlgarveAddicts]

That's a great point! I didn't even know there was such a thing.

[@helreg]

Always take pictures and video of the car especially if there are dents and scratches. Don't sign anything without highlighting those on the paper sheet even if they say it's not necessary. Especially if you are leaving the car at an airport. Unfortunately many places are dishonest and try to charge you for things later, they don't really fix it, just a scheme to get money out of you.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Good advice!

[@bri_____1970]

A growing gripe with the locals is gentrification and expats driving the cost of living (housing in particular) up. Whilst understandable, what I find bemusing is that the locals will protest against migration which was a huge factor in killing the old NHR but will not hold their government to account for the low salaries. Rising costs should parallel with salaries but in Portugal this is not the case. This is also a problem in the UK where salaries have been stagnant for the last 15 years.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

It's an interesting and hotly debated topic. I may gather myself together and attack this subject in a future video. Any points of view that you think I should share from a UK standpoint?

[@bri_____1970]

@@AlgarveAddicts Just one. Housing in the UK, which no different from Portugal, there's low supply and high demand. And we all know the result of this, "higher housing prices". Councils in the UK are given too much power to veto developments in their area. Developers want to build but their projects are often rejected by the city council. This will change with Labour in power as Starmer has pledged to build 1.5 million homes in five years to reduce the pressure on the housing market. And locals will lose the ability to block new homes in their area as part of the government's shake-up. Similarly in Portugal, the new government has launched a new spending package worth 2.22 billion euros to build around 33,000 homes by 2030 for the neediest families facing unaffordably high house prices and rents. So let's hope these initiatives get implemented in the UK and Portugal.

[@jaanaprall9961]

I've been living in the Algarve for the past two years and agree with all your pros and cons. It is a super nice place in so many ways, but for me if I leave it will be due to the mold issues and low build quality. I looked for a house to buy for about 6 months and got so discouraged I paused my search. The amount of money you would have to put into a house, even the very expensive ones to bring them up to a level where they would be healthy and trouble free was just too much. I've seen houses for half a million and a million USD with no insulation, no heat and aircon that makes sense and with mold damage. This is by far the largest con for me.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Agreed, it's a big thing but we've managed to overcome it.

[@jaanaprall9961]

@@AlgarveAddicts Glad you have been able to find a solution! I have enjoyed your content over the years and it was very helpful prior to making the move. Would love to see a video addressing this issue with some advice from experts on how to assess houses and how to proceed with renovations geared toward fixing the issues.

[@Torrito-99]

Can I still apply for NHR? I’m moving to Portugal next month

[@christobar]

Not the old NHR, there's a new regime based on your skillset, but I've never seen the actual details of who is qualified.

[@Torrito-99]

@@christobar 😭

[@AlgarveAddicts]

If you could prove you applied in 2023 you could, but the odds are not in your favour unfortunately. Have a chat with us if you like, there may be an angle.

[@Torrito-99]

@@AlgarveAddicts I’m moving to Algarve from Florida Do you recommend any company to ship my Luggage?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi there, these guys can you help you this side, dlsremovals.com but you'd need an international company to help you across the pond.

[@helreg]

Hi, you have a lot of things spot on, I particularly liked about how the Portuguese don't give you extra information unless you ask, that is absolutely true. Maybe not because they are necessarily unhelpful just very literal or sometimes lazy. But I have to completely disagree about what you said about food. Maybe where you live food is pork based or you don't really go to generic portuguese restaurants (churrasqueira really not a good example) but definitely pork is not the main thing, I would say beef is probably more generic, so many things beef based like bitoque, entrecosto, bife à vazia, etc., you get the point. Or even seafood. And you didn't really mentioned one of the most important and great things which are the "coffee shops" you have everywhere where you can get sweet and salty pastries or that is part of the Portuguese culture where people just hangout. I hope you just forgot about it and not living under a rock otherwise you have not been enjoying the food variety in Portugal properly. Or maybe the Algarve does not compare food wise to pretty much everywhere else in Portugal nowadays.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Maybe. Every traditional restaurant I go to in the Algarve has plumas de porco, secretos de porco, bochechas de porco. The beef steaks are not good in general (unless you go to a specific steak spot of which there are more these days, they used to be "rare"). Beef like bitoque is thin and not exactly enticing. Bife a Portuguesa is good. Maybe you're a goody and eat in gourmet restaurants, like I said, I'm not a food blogger.

[@maxflight777]

Portugal is a fabulous place, but do be aware: (i) Barking dogs can have a deleterious effect on your home environment (it’s hard to relax if you are within earshot ) (ii) The roads are amongst the worlds most dangerous (iii) Construction standards are NOT comparable with other European countries . Having said that , all the other factors, particularly the low crime and perfect weather definitely make up for it. Come and have a look around!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

I don't agree on the roads point so much: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-related_death_rate

[@perolagrande]

​@@AlgarveAddictsPortugal's death rate per 100,000 population is way above other European countries by a factor of twofold, and treble that of Scandinavian countries, so the OP is correct. You can't compare Portugal with the world average which includes crazy drivers in Third World countries with a massively high death rate.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

If you're looking to move anywhere in the world, you can definitely compare Portugal with the world.

[@migueloliveira4242]

I think you need travel to north and you see in North the food is amazing, because in North people now to cooking but in south is the ccoker is very useless.

[@cindyvdv7093]

Big con for me is definitely the amount of stray dogs and generally how badly dogs are treated here. Dogs on chains, dogs in cages, skinny dogs roaming the streets. As an animal lover it's very difficult to see and accept. It also makes walking your dog in nature pretty stressfull at times.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

True. It's getting better due to the new pet laws they passed in 2014 but it's still there.

[@migueloliveira4242]

In Norte people eat better in south and in North the food meat and fish is more affordable in south.

[@Mr.S65]

I divide by time between Portugal and my native US. Why be so radical? Don’t get that one at all. Cheers.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Sorry, what's radical? I don't get that one 😎

[@Mr.S65]

@@AlgarveAddictsI meant, Americans move after selling everything, home and all. Why are my compatriots so radical? That’s radical is it not?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

I dunno, if you're going to move, move. It makes sense to do it properly. If you want to live half there and half here, that's ok too. It just depends on people's situations.

[@truusjenskens8485]

The fish is not fantastic....portuguese don't do fillets, so the seabass is full of bones, loaded...and the salty cod is also full of bones and far too salty...i don't understand why they love that dish so much, a fresh cod fillet, breaded and deepfried is sooo much better!

[@migueloliveira4242]

Buy the books in EU writing in English or Dutch not prblem you have a book any language.

[@johnnewman1122]

Is that a salada montanheira? Tomatoes, oregano…

[@AlgarveAddicts]

No, montanheira is when it's all diced up, I was dreaming of a simple "salada tomate".

[@michaelmeer4587]

Hmm, you forgot the Infamous rooftop parties 🎉 in lisbon with all the hot chicks. 🎉😮

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Did I? I think you need to invite me to one of those, never heard of 'em. 🥳

[@mascanho]

Shit economy, the most corrupt government, the lowest wages and GDP in western Europe , no reasonable public healthcare infrastructure... Its great mate. As long as you don't need to work here or get a house (flat) with your Portuguese wage. You will also not find Portuguese locals since the younger ones had to leave due to poverty. On top of that, we have 23% YoY increase in homelessness. Only bound to keep rising. Thanks to all the rich folks coming in and buying properties to be here for 2 weeks a year.

[@saragomes6242]

Nós os portugueses vivemos todos em cavernas,não temos casas, andamos todos a pé ou de burro

[@maxflight777]

I couldn’t disagree more ! ⬆️

[@saragomes6242]

Os emigrantes portugueses também compram, constroem, para passarem 2 a 3 semanas de férias, eu tenho 3 irmãos que fazem isso,então isso quer dizer que eles têm culpa do problema de habitação, embora eles construiram ou vão construir no terreno que eles receberam dos meus pais, ou o problema é da imigração ilegal? Ninguém é obrigado de arrendar o que é seu,o estado também não ajudou os meus pais, as minhas irmãs a pagarem as suas casas nem a minha.

[@Summer-bo9rw]

100%!

[@alanmartins6349]

Can you drive from the Algarve to Lisbon without tolls? Would like to stay somewhere in the middle from Lisbon to the Algarve to visit both, any suggestions? Thanks in advance love the vids.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

You're welcome! You can stay halfway, but you'd need a lot more than a day to see the Algarve. It's 150kms wide and has many towns to visit. It doesn't make sense driving all that way from the middle of the Alentejo. Pick a place like Aljustrel halfway down but there isn't much available from a hotel point of view there. Maybe Vila Nova de Milfontes but that's far away from the main highway so it'll be impractical. Look up the EN2 road and try and find a village on it (it doesn't have tolls).

[@alanmartins6349]

​@@AlgarveAddicts Thank you.

[@1973sheki]

Portugal government medical system is horrible.

[@Kimllg88]

BS place is oversold and overpopulated Left after 3 yrs

[@christobar]

Probably depends on where you are in the country.

[@Larry-jh8gf]

I respectfully disagree with your view on the video. Nick did a fantastic job highlighting the region's pros and cons. Of course nowhere is the perfect place for everyone.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

I'm just wondering why she's still watching videos about Portugal...

[@maxflight777]

@Kimlig … I notice you didn’t tell us where you moved to !!!

[@letsgetdoing]

What about opening up a small business such as coffee shop or tiny restaurant in algarve? I just got my D7 approved 2 months ago and was planning to apply for NHR. I thought the 20% was the new NHR vs the old was 10%. So I can't get it now?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

No, unfortunately not. If you'd like to explore why, how and when in detail, I can put you in touch with our immigration lawyer if you like.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

@AlgarveAddicts have a look at this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipa0cmN-o6uYgMksi=Fx9QEu2DDDxA_z9e