Portugal ranks 8th out of 31 destinations in InterNations’ Expat Insider 2026. Its main strengths are personal safety, personal finance and ease of settling in, while bureaucracy and the local job market remain its clearest weaknesses.
This makes Portugal particularly attractive to retirees, families with income from abroad, remote workers and people who value safety and a stable lifestyle. It may hold less appeal for those hoping to build a career on a Portuguese salary.
How Portugal performed in the 2026 expat survey
According to the Expat Insider 2026 report on Portugal, Portugal ranked as follows across the main indices:
| Survey index | Portugal’s ranking |
|---|---|
| Overall ranking | 8th |
| Personal Finance | 4th |
| Ease of Settling In | 7th |
| Quality of Life | 11th |
| Expat Essentials | 23rd |
| Working Abroad | 29th |
| Local Job Market | 31st |
The survey involved 7,786 expats representing 162 nationalities. Only 31 destinations met the minimum sample requirement for inclusion in the final ranking. Portugal’s eighth-place position therefore reflects the experiences of the international residents surveyed; it does not mean that Portugal was objectively ranked eighth among every country in the world.
Why do expats rate Portugal highly?
1. Personal safety remains one of Portugal’s most consistent strengths
Among respondents, 94% said they felt personally safe in Portugal.
Safety is not only about crime rates. It can shape whether a family feels comfortable staying for the long term, whether children can enjoy greater independence and whether retirement can follow a more relaxed daily rhythm.
This is why the question of why people move to Portugal cannot be answered through climate or the holiday experience alone. For long-term residents, what often matters most is whether everyday life feels secure.
2. International residents find it relatively easy to settle in
Portugal ranks 7th in the Ease of Settling In Index:
- 76% of respondents said local people were friendly;
- 76% felt welcome or at home in Portugal;
- 73% found it relatively easy to become accustomed to Portuguese culture.
Settling in does not, however, produce the same experience for everyone. Age, family structure, source of income, language skills and location all influence whether someone can build a stable life in Portugal.
For a lifestyle-led assessment rather than a ranking-led one, read Who Will Feel at Home in Portugal?.
3. Many expats feel their income supports a comfortable local lifestyle
Portugal ranks 4th in the Personal Finance Index:
- 61% of respondents rated the local cost of living positively;
- 76% said their disposable household income was enough to lead a comfortable life.
There is an important qualification: the source of that income can completely change how affordable Portugal feels.
People with pensions, investment income, overseas salaries or remote-working income are often better placed to benefit from Portugal’s balance between cost and quality of life. Those relying on local salaries may face a different reality.
4. Many people plan to stay, not simply try Portugal for a while
The survey found that:
- 78% of respondents were happy with their life in Portugal, compared with a global average of 70%;
- 39% said they might stay in Portugal forever;
- 21% moved primarily for a better quality of life;
- 20% moved mainly to retire, well above the global average of 4%.
These figures suggest that, for many international residents, Portugal is not merely a short-term destination but somewhere they can establish a second centre of life.
Retirees made up 41% of the Portugal sample, however, which is likely to influence the overall findings. Their positive experience should not automatically be applied to people at every career stage or with every family structure.
What are the drawbacks of living in Portugal?
The local job market is not a strong point
Portugal ranks 29th in the Working Abroad Index and last—31st—in the Local Job Market subcategory.
Only 19% of respondents rated the local job market positively. Portugal also ranked relatively poorly for job security and overall job satisfaction.
If you plan to build a career on a Portuguese salary, assess the following carefully:
- whether your sector offers enough suitable positions;
- whether Portuguese is essential for those roles;
- whether net income can cover your household costs;
- whether you can retain overseas clients, remote work or another source of income.
Portugal can offer an appealing living environment, but that does not automatically translate into stronger career prospects.
Administrative procedures can still take time
Portugal ranks 31st for dealing with local authorities. Only 20% of respondents found administrative matters easy, while 35% cited bureaucracy as a major concern before moving.
Document requirements and waiting times can affect the process of obtaining a tax number, opening a bank account, applying for residence, renewing a permit and completing other formalities. For people unfamiliar with the Portuguese system, a local lawyer and dedicated account manager can help prevent missing documents, manage deadlines and coordinate between institutions. If you need support, contact us.
Who is Portugal best suited to?
The overall ranking cannot determine whether Portugal is right for you. A more useful approach is to begin with your source of income, career needs and whether you intend to relocate now.
| Profile | Overall fit | Why it may work | What to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retirees or people with a stable pension | High | Safety, climate, pace of life and positive personal-finance experience | Healthcare, tax and long-term care arrangements |
| Families with income from abroad | High | Less dependent on local salaries and better placed to benefit from Portugal’s quality of life | Tax residence and cross-border income planning |
| Remote workers | High | Can retain international income while living in Portugal | Internet access, time zones, visa and tax arrangements |
| Families planning to relocate fully | Depends on circumstances | Can build a life through a suitable long-term residence route | Schools, housing, language and income stability |
| International families not ready to relocate full-time | Depends on circumstances | May value future residence options without moving immediately | The right route, costs and legal requirements |
| Professionals dependent on local employment | Lower or requires caution | The local job market and salary levels are relatively limited | Sector opportunities and Portuguese-language requirements |
Decide how you want to live before choosing a visa
Portugal’s high quality of life does not mean that everyone should choose the same residence route.
If you intend to relocate and live in Portugal, compare the Portugal D2, D7 and D8 visas and choose according to whether your circumstances involve entrepreneurship, passive income or remote work.
If your family is not ready to relocate full-time but wants to preserve the option of living in Portugal and Europe later, explore the Portugal Golden Visa 2026 guide.
Portugal’s Golden Visa does not require the whole family to relocate. Spend 7 days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period; provided the investment and other conditions remain in place, residence status can be maintained. After 5 years of temporary residence and once permanent residence has been granted, you can exit the investment—subject to the fund or other investment vehicle’s exit terms—without affecting the permanent residence already obtained.
Crucially, those years of legal residence can still count towards a future Portuguese citizenship application. This allows you to continue living and working in your current country while preserving a route to EU residence and citizenship for yourself and your family.
Frequently asked questions
Is Portugal the eighth-best country in the world for expats?
More precisely, Portugal ranks 8th among the 31 destinations that met the sample requirements for Expat Insider 2026. This is a survey of expat experiences, not an objective ranking of every country in the world.
Is Portugal a good place for expats to live long term?
Portugal is often highly attractive to people who value safety, quality of life and a gentler pace, particularly those with a pension or income from abroad. Its suitability for long-term living still depends on income, career plans, children’s education, healthcare and tax arrangements.
Why do expats choose Portugal?
Common reasons include safety, climate, friendly local people, relative ease of settling in, and the balance between cost and quality of life. Some families also see Portugal as part of a longer-term European residence and family strategy.
What is the biggest disadvantage of living in Portugal?
According to the survey, the clearest weaknesses are bureaucracy and the local job market. Government procedures can take time, while local career opportunities and salary levels may not suit every international professional.
Is Portugal a good place to retire?
For many people, yes. Retirement is one of the leading reasons expats move to Portugal, and retirees particularly value its safety, climate and pace of life. Healthcare, tax, housing and long-term care costs should still be assessed in advance.
Is it easy for expats to find work in Portugal?
Not necessarily. Portugal ranks poorly for its local job market. Difficulty varies by sector, experience and Portuguese-language ability. Anyone relying on a local salary should confirm realistic job prospects and net income before relocating.
How can I plan for Portuguese residence if I am not ready to move?
Eligible families can assess residence routes such as the Portugal Golden Visa, which does not require an immediate full-time relocation. If you intend to live in Portugal, a D2, D7 or D8 visa will usually be more closely aligned with that goal. The right choice depends on your family’s objectives, financial structure and the current legal requirements.
Rankings provide context; your family circumstances determine the answer
Expat Insider 2026 helps explain why many international residents enjoy life in Portugal—and why the country is not right for everyone.
If your priorities are safety, quality of life and long-term stability, and you do not depend on the Portuguese job market, Portugal may be a strong fit. If local career development and employment income are central to your plans, a more cautious assessment is needed.
The Golden Portugal can help you assess the most suitable Portuguese residence route based on your family members, sources of income, relocation plans and long-term objectives.
