Portugal Takes the Top Spot on International Living’s 2023 Annual Global Retirement Index

At the beginning of this year, Portugal was awarded the number one spot in International Living’s 2023 Annual Global Retirement Index. Many factors were taken into consideration in this choice, including safety, healthcare, infrastructure, quality of life, and social opportunities. 

Portugal has also rated highly across several other international rankings in terms of its culture, heritage, nature, safety and diverse population. 

In this article we’re detailing some of the top reasons Portugal has become a favourite among those looking to retire and how you can find out more about whether Portugal is the right place for you. 

Affordable cost of living: Portugal has a lower cost of living compared to many other European countries. According to Numbeo, a website that tracks the cost of living in different cities around the world, Lisbon, Portugal´s capital city, has a lower cost of living index than cities like London, Paris, and Amsterdam. This lower cost of living allows your money to go further than in many other places across the globe.

Plenty to see and do: You don’t have to look far to find a great restaurant where you can enjoy a nice meal for a reasonable price. The towns and cities throughout the country are lined with cafes and bars, offering a range of great spots to sit out and enjoy the weather. 

Portugal has a long and rich history, which is reflected in its culture and architecture. There are a great number of different cultural activities to take part in, and historical cities and landmarks to explore. 

Keeping Active: If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a more active retirement, there are plenty of activities you can take part in. Portugal has a number of golf courses with plenty of affordable options across the country. There are also lots of opportunities to participate in a variety of exercise classes from yoga and pilates, to strength and conditioning. 

For those who like to stay active outdoors, Portugal has so many amazing places to get out into nature. The country has over 800 km of coastline, incredible beaches and plenty of hiking and cycling trails to explore.

Healthcare: Portugal has a good healthcare system, with both public and private healthcare available. Private healthcare is more affordable and accessible than in many other countries across the world, with a good number of public and private healthcare centres and hospitals to choose from.

Infrastructure: Portugal has fantastic transportation infrastructure, with four international airports, well maintained highways, and cruise terminals. From all of Portugal’s airports you can catch flights to a huge number of European destinations, and from Lisbon and Porto you can find a more extensive number of flights to a range of global destinations.  

Portugal’s digital infrastructure is also constantly improving. High speed internet is available throughout the country making it effortless to keep up in touch with family and friends abroad. 

Excellent weather: Portugal has a Mediterranean climate, meaning it benefits from mild winters and hot summers. The average high temperature in Lisbon in the summer is around 28°C, and the average low in the winter is around 10°C. Whilst the rural areas inland can get quite warm, the temperatures closer to the coast remain pleasant throughout the year.

Welcoming community: Portugal is a hospitable and welcoming country, and is home to a large expat community. This helps make it easier to make friends and find support as you adjust to life in a new country. As a country, Portugal has a high level of English helping ease the process of moving to Portugal from abroad. There are also lots of opportunities to take classes and learn the language. 

Overall, it´s easy to see why Portugal is such a popular place to retire. With its affordable cost of living, beautiful weather, rich culture and history, and welcoming expat community, it´s no wonder that more and more people are choosing to spend their golden years in this wonderful country.

Are you thinking that Portugal might be the right choice for you? Make sure to check out the cities we explore in our video series, have a browse of the properties in our portfolio, and get in touch with our team for more information. 

Written by Emma Pengelly