Portugal is not a bubble outside the world

It’s a common mistake: imagining that moving to Portugal means leaving all modern life’s problems behind. The country may be welcoming, stable and warm, but it’s still a European nation with its own challenges.

Yes, life is often cheaper, but not as inexpensive as people think. Yes, the people are lovely, but not everything runs at the speed you might want. And no, not everything can be solved with a smile.

Portugal isn’t a magical refuge, it’s a real country, with institutions, bureaucracy, a changing job market and local realities to understand.

The key is to arrive with enthusiasm, but also with both feet on the ground.

Believing everything will be easy because you’re European

A classic. Many newcomers imagine that moving to Portugal will be a formality, especially if they come from another European country. After all, no borders, no visa, no obstacles.

But administrative life here has its own rhythm and it’s called patience. To get your NIF (tax number), register with the local council, open a bank account or have your qualifications recognized, you’ll need time and plenty of paperwork.

The Portuguese themselves say it with a smile: “aqui, tudo demora um bocadinho” here, everything takes a little while. And that “little while” can stretch a bit.

It’s not bad will, it’s just the local pace. The system works, just not always quickly. Understanding that is already part of fitting in.

Living in an expat bubble

It’s tempting. When you arrive, you look for comfort, familiarity, a sense of belonging. So you move into neighborhoods where people speak French, English or German. You go to the same cafés, talk about the same things the sun and the taxes.

But staying too long among expats means missing the essential part: the Portuguese themselves.

This country isn’t just a setting, it’s a people. Kind, curious, welcoming, sometimes discreet. To get to know them, you have to go toward them, even awkwardly. Say “obrigado,” make the effort to understand their customs, their festivals, their humor.

That’s where Portugal truly opens up. In an impromptu dinner, a neighbor offering oranges from his garden, a café where no one speaks English but everyone smiles.

Thinking the cost of living is negligible

Perhaps the most persistent myth. Portugal is “cheap.” It once was but not anymore.

Rents have skyrocketed, especially in Lisbon and Porto. Real estate has become a luxury sport, and supermarket prices are not far from the European average. It’s not a tragedy, but it’s a fact to consider.

Of course, there are still affordable regions. The Alentejo, the north and some inland areas still offer a gentle cost of living. But overall, Portugal in 2025 is no longer the budget-friendly secret it used to be.

The trick is to make a real budget before you come, based on your lifestyle. The sun doesn’t pay the bills though it does make them easier to bear.

Underestimating the language barrier

Portuguese isn’t an easy language, but it’s beautiful, musical and full of nuance. And above all, it changes everything.

Some get by with English that’s true, especially in big cities. But to really live here, to understand people, handle paperwork or simply feel part of things, you have to learn.

Learning Portuguese isn’t a luxury, it’s a sign of respect. It shows you want to belong, not just benefit.

And the good news is, the Portuguese love when you try, even with a heavy accent. A badly pronounced “bom dia” is better than a polite silence.

Idealizing the weather

“Three hundred days of sunshine a year,” says the brochure. True. But no one mentions that Portuguese houses aren’t always well insulated and in winter, it can be cold inside.

Portugal’s climate is a dream for visitors, but it requires some adaptation in daily life. In the south, summers can be scorching. In the north, rain and humidity make frequent appearances.

It’s not a problem, just a reality. Seasons exist here too, only gentler ones.

Believing everyone lives like they’re on vacation

Probably the biggest mistake. Many expats come to escape stress, routine, pressure. And they expect Portuguese life to offer them an endless August.

But living here also means dealing with local realities: slow bureaucracy, a limited job market, a fragile economy in some sectors.

Portugal is a peaceful country, but not a static one. Those who settle here must find their place not just their sunbed.

That said, the Portuguese way of life has a secret: it teaches you perspective. Here, people take their time. They savor a coffee, chat, watch the sea. It’s an education in slowing down and for many, a genuine cure.

Forgetting the importance of connections

Moving abroad is also starting over. You arrive without references, without contacts, sometimes without friends. And that’s when your network becomes essential.

Portugal runs on word of mouth, on trust, on relationships. Whether it’s finding a house, a job, or a reliable plumber, it’s all about who you know.

The expats who thrive here aren’t necessarily the richest or the most fluent, but the ones who connect. It’s a small country, and everyone knows someone who knows someone. That’s an opportunity if you’re open to it.

Wanting to compare everything to France

It’s human, but it’s a mistake. Portugal is not France with sunshine. This country has its own rhythm, priorities, and way of being.

Here, people often prefer calm over confrontation, discussion over complaint, flexibility over rigidity. It’s not better or worse, just different.

Living in Portugal means accepting that difference, even embracing it. Those who compare everything miss the country’s greatest charm: its simplicity.

In conclusion

Moving to Portugal is a beautiful adventure, but it’s not a fairy tale. There’s paperwork, surprises, moments of loneliness but also encounters, smiles, and a unique way of life.

Mistakes are part of the journey, but avoiding them makes the road smoother. Portugal doesn’t expect perfection, only sincerity, curiosity and patience.

And if you come with an open mind, a bit of humor and plenty of humility, you’ll soon discover that behind its slow pace and contrasts, Portugal has a rare gift it always ends up adopting you.