Why Portugal Is the Best Country to Live, Retire, and Invest in 2025

From the Algarve to the Silver Coast, Portugal remains a top destination in 2025 for retirees, remote workers, and investors. With mild weather, strong yields, welcoming communities, and easy residency routes like the D7 visa, it’s the perfect place to live — and invest — in Europe.

The first time I visited Portugal, I flew into Lisbon, drove along the coastal roads of the Silver Coast, and ended the evening with grilled sardines and vinho verde as the sun set behind the Atlantic.

It was simple, beautiful — and it made sense.

That’s what Portugal offers: a peaceful, intelligent choice. Whether you’re looking for a calm retirement, a remote-worker base, or a long-term investment in a stable EU market — Portugal remains a top contender in 2025.

🌞 Why So Many Are Moving to Portugal

There’s a reason Portugal regularly tops global lists for retirement and expat living. In fact, I’ve worked with dozens of clients who visited “just to explore” and ended up staying for good.

Here’s why:

🌤 Mild climate year-round — even winter feels pleasant along the Algarve

🧑‍⚕️ Excellent healthcare — ranked among the best in Europe, with great private options too

💬 English widely spoken, especially in coastal towns and among younger generations

🛍 Day-to-day life is relaxed and affordable — from food to transport

👫 Welcoming, respectful locals — Portugal is safe, family-friendly, and inclusive

🧘‍♀️ Ideal for slowing down — think coffee culture, long lunches, daily markets, and sea swims

Portugal has that rare mix of European order and Southern charm. Life flows.

 

👴 Retiring in Portugal (Why It’s So Easy)

If you’re dreaming of retiring abroad, Portugal makes it incredibly simple:

✅ D7 Visa: Ideal for retirees or passive income earners.

  • Requires around €9,000–€10,000/year in income for individuals
  • Covers spouses and dependent children
  • Leads to permanent residency and eventually EU citizenship

✅ Affordable healthcare: Once you’re a resident, you access the public system. Or you can opt for private coverage (often under €100/month).

✅ No need to rush into property: Many retirees rent for the first year, then buy once they’ve found their spot.

Elly’s IPA Note: Many of my clients choose Portugal because it’s low-pressure. You can come for the lifestyle — and let everything else fall into place gently.

 

🏠 What Can You Buy in Portugal?

Prices have climbed in hotspots like Lisbon and the Algarve, but there’s still fantastic value in smaller towns and coastal regions:

🏘️ 2-bed apartment in Silver Coast (e.g. Caldas da Rainha): from €160,000

🏖 Modern seafront apartment in Lagos or Tavira: €300,000–€500,000

🏡 Restored village homes inland (with land): from €100,000

🏙️ Lisbon/Porto city-centre flats: €300,000–€600,000+

Ownership is freehold and open to non-EU buyers. The legal process is clear and English-speaking lawyers are easy to find.

 

📈 Rental Yields and Investment Opportunities

Portugal isn’t just a lifestyle destination — it’s a smart place to park your money, too:

  • Short-term rental yields: 5–8% in tourist-heavy zones (Lisbon, Porto, Algarve)
  • Long-term lets: 3–5% in residential towns and cities
  • Airbnb demand: Strong year-round in coastal areas and cities
  • Capital appreciation: 6–10% over the past 3 years in up-and-coming towns

Elly’s IPA Tip: Look beyond the Algarve. The Silver Coast is the next big thing — think Nazaré, São Martinho do Porto, and Peniche. Cheaper to buy, growing in demand, and breathtaking.

 

🛍️ Lifestyle + Infrastructure

Portugal is an easy place to live. Full stop.

🛒 Shops: Great mix of local markets, bakeries, and supermarkets (Continente, Pingo Doce, Lidl)

🚍 Transport: Efficient rail between major cities, modern motorways, and walkable old towns

🧑‍⚕️ Healthcare: Public system is excellent; private is quick, modern, and very affordable

🏫 Schools: Great international schools in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve

🧘‍♀️ Leisure: Golf, surfing, hiking, sailing, wine tastings, art — the lifestyle is rich but relaxed

 

📍 Top Locations I Recommend in 2025

  • Silver Coast (Caldas da Rainha, Nazaré, Peniche): Still affordable, up-and-coming
  • Lagos & Tavira (Algarve): Beautiful, historic, with strong rental appeal
  • Cascais: Coastal luxury with fast access to Lisbon
  • Évora & Alentejo: Rustic, authentic, and ideal for peaceful living
  • Porto: Urban charm with strong investment upside

 

💬 Final Thoughts from me,

Portugal is the country I recommend most often when someone says:

| “I want sunshine, safety, a community… but I don’t want stress.”

You can invest here, yes. But you can also exhale. Portugal is for people who want to live fully — and gently.

✉️ Ready to Explore Portugal?

We work with trusted developers, relocation advisors, and property managers across Portugal. Whether you’re planning retirement, a second home, or a new life chapter — we’ll help you find your place.

📩 Email: elly@internationalpropertyalerts.com

📱 WhatsApp: +447796174253

📸 Instagram: @elly_international_property

Tomorrow: Dubai — from tax-free yields to rooftop luxury, it’s a whole different vibe.

 

About International Property Alerts


International Property Alerts is a premier global platform connecting real estate investors with handpicked opportunities in emerging and lifestyle-driven markets. Through curated listings, expert guidance, and market insights, we help buyers make confident property decisions worldwide.

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