Wait... Portugal Has Downsides? Say It Isn't So!

Bom dia, amigos! With payday just a few days away, I found myself wondering: how much has the cost of living changed in the past three years of us living in Portugal? And how does it compare today with my home country (South Africa)? A quick scroll through Idealista to check rentals like ours, and Ouch! I couldn’t find anything for less than double what we’re paying now. Scary? Absolutely. Thank goodness the wine is still cheap (even though it baffles me that a glass in a restaurant often costs twice as much as my favorite bottle).

If you’re curious too, take our survey later in this newsletter, and let’s put some stats together about the cost of living in Portugal today, as shared by fellow expats.

If rising rental costs have you thinking about buying, meet Pedro—your AI-powered property expert. No more hours of scrolling through Idealista—just the best properties tailored to your needs. Check him out below!

Here’s what’s on the menu today:

🎵 Major music performances coming to Portugal in 2025

☹️ The downsides of living in Portugal (and no, it’s not what you think)

❓️ The Cost of Living Survey

Let’s dive in!

PS: A HUGE thank you to everyone who takes a moment to rate the newsletter each week! Your feedback keeps me inspired and helps me see where I’m on target or where I’m missing the mark! Don’t forget to leave a rating at the end of today’s newsletter! I truly appreciate it. 💝 

📷 Pic of the week

Until the 14th century, the steep cliffs and rugged, windswept lands at Cabo da Roca were believed to be the edge of the world. As the most westerly point of mainland Europe, Cabo da Roca possesses a rugged beauty for those who appreciate nature’s unrefined and raw charm. Warning, this is not a tourist spot for everyone. Cabo da Roca is known for its cold and wind-blasted landscape.

📰 What’s Happening

If you’re curious about cultural and sports events happening in March—like the Óbidos Chocolate Festival or the MEO Surf Festival in Peniche—check out last week’s newsletter here.

Today we’re having a quick look at major music events coming up in 2025!

Major Concerts Happening in Portugal in 2025

👨‍🎤 Andrea Bocelli – Live in Leiria: The renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform a special concert at the Estádio Municipal de Leiria on the 31st of May, 2025, accompanied by a full orchestra, delivering an unforgettable evening of classical and contemporary pieces.

🎸 Lenny Kravitz: Scheduled for April 8, 2025, at MEO Arena, Lisbon

🧚 Pixies: Performing at Sagres Campo Pequeno, Lisbon, on May 10, 2025, as part of their European tour for the new album "The Night The Zombies Came"

🎸 Guns N’ Roses: Performing at Estádio Cidade de Coimbra on June 6, 2025.

🎚️ Imagine Dragons – LOOM World Tour: Imagine Dragons will bring their LOOM World Tour to Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz, promising an electrifying performance.

🎸 Iron Maiden – Run For Your Lives Tour: Celebrating their 50th anniversary, Iron Maiden will bring their 'Run For Your Lives' tour to the MEO Arena in Lisbon on July 6, 2025.

👩‍🎤 Kylie Minogue – Tension Tour: The pop icon returns to Portugal as part of her 'Tension Tour', performing hits from her latest album and classic favorites at the MEO Arena in Lisbon, on July 15, 2025

👨‍🎤 Lionel Richie – Say Hello To The Hits Tour: The legendary musician brings his tour to the MEO Arena in Lisbon on the 29th of July, 2025, promising an evening filled with timeless hits like 'Hello' and 'All Night Long'.

🎸 Post Malone: Closing his "The Big Ass World Tour" at Estádio do Restelo, Lisbon, on September 14, 20255.

🎸 Counting Crows: Performing at Coliseu dos Recreios, Lisbon, on October 17, 2025.

👨‍🎤 Mumford & Sons are coming to Portugal. They will perform at the Sagres Campo Pequeno in Lisbon on November 25, 2025.

Did I miss any big concerts? Let me know by replying to this email! Also, what other events are you interested in? Your feedback helps me curate events you'll actually be excited about—just hit reply and share your thoughts!

🤝 IN COLLABORATION WITH:

Meet Pedro: Your AI-Powered Estate Agent for Portugal!

Fresh Properties is excited to introduce Pedro, their AI-powered estate agent!

Pedro is designed to make your property search in Portugal seamless and efficient. With instant access to all the information you need, he provides real-time insights to help you make informed decisions.

How do you reach Pedro? Easy—just WhatsApp Pedro here and take the first step toward finding your dream property!

Learn more at freshproperties.pt

🏡 Lifestyle: Eat, Pray, Love—and everything in between

The Downside of Living In Portugal - What You Need to Know To Appreciate the Upside 😄 

When you’re sipping on that €2 velvety red that’s so smooth it could make a sommelier weep, pairing it with next-level cheese, while buttering up a slice of freshly baked bread, AND getting to hang out with people who are ridiculously nice, life in Portugal seems perfect, right?

Not so fast.

This fantasy is exactly what sets people up for disappointment. Because while Portugal is incredible, it’s not some utopia where problems magically disappear. The trick to loving it is knowing the downsides upfront—so they don’t blindside you later.

The Less Glamorous Side of Portugal

Here are some challenges you can expect to face as an expat in Portugal:

🐌 Bureaucracy Moves at the Speed of a Drunk Snail

• Paperwork takes forever. Anything involving official documents (visas, residency, banking, healthcare, etc.) can be painfully slow.

• Inconsistent information. Different government offices may give conflicting advice, and what works for one person may not work for another.

• Appointments are hard to get. AIMA (immigration services), IMT (driving licenses), and healthcare specialists often have months-long waiting lists.

💸 Low Salaries & High Taxes (Yes, Both)

• Wages are low. A top-tier job locally often pays less than an entry-level gig in Northern Europe.

• Social security & VAT are high. Taxes can take a big chunk of your earnings, especially if you don’t qualify for tax-friendly schemes like the NHR.

• Cost of living is rising. Rent, groceries, and energy bills have gone up significantly in recent years.

🏠️ Finding a Home is Basically an Extreme Sport

• Finding a rental is a nightmare. Demand is high, landlords prefer short-term rentals, and many places require fiador (a Portuguese guarantor).

• Buying property can be tricky. You need a lawyer, and hidden costs (like taxes, maintenance, and bureaucracy) can add up fast.

• Heating is nonexistent. Winters feel colder inside than outside. No insulation, no heating, just bone-chilling dampness.

🩺 Healthcare: Good, But Bring Your Patience

• Public healthcare is good but slow. Long waiting times for specialists, surgeries, and even family doctor appointments.

• Private healthcare isn’t cheap. Many expats opt for private insurance, but costs can add up, and some private hospitals still rely on public hospitals for major treatments.

• Pharmacies control medication. Some common over-the-counter meds from other countries require a prescription here.

🙊 Learning Portuguese is Tough but Necessary

• English is widely spoken… but not everywhere. In major cities and tourist areas, you’ll be fine, but in government offices, hospitals, and smaller towns, Portuguese is a must.

• The language has tricky pronunciation. Even if you understand written Portuguese, speaking it is a different challenge.

🤞 Customer Service Runs on “Relax, It’ll Happen” Time

• Service is slow and laid-back. Expect long waits at restaurants, slow responses to emails, and businesses closing for unexpected breaks.

• Returns & refunds aren’t the norm. Many stores don’t allow returns, or they give store credit instead of refunds.

🚗 Driving? Buckle Up

• Portuguese drivers can be… bold. Tailgating, speeding, and last-minute lane changes are common.

• Public transport is unreliable in some areas. Great in Lisbon and Porto, but rural areas have limited options, and train strikes happen often.

• Getting a Portuguese driver’s license is a hassle. If you need to exchange your foreign license, expect delays and complicated paperwork.

The Real Secret to Loving Portugal

Look, this isn’t doom and gloom—it’s just the real deal. Portugal is amazing if you can roll with the punches. If you expect a smooth, Instagram-perfect paradise, you’ll be in for a rude awakening. The bureaucracy will test your patience, winter will have you questioning your life choices, and finding your dream rental? Yeah, give it six months. But if you can laugh through the challenges and chaos, you’ll unlock the real magic of living here.

Welcome to the good life. Now, go enjoy that €2 wine. 🍷

❤️ 

🔥 Further Reading: Want to dig deeper? Check out this deep dive by James from The Portugalist. He breaks down the highs and lows of life in Portugal like a pro. Read it here.

🛠 Local Tips & Tricks - The Budget Issue

🚰 Water isn’t free at restaurants. If you ask for water, they’ll bring a paid bottle unless you say “torneira” (tap).

🍷 Wine can be cheaper than water. Seriously, a decent bottle can cost €2 at Lidl or Pingo Doce, while a small bottle of water at a café is €1.50. Priorities, people.

🥗 The 'Prato do Dia' (Dish of the Day) is your best bet. A full meal with a drink for €6–€9.

💰 The Hustle Fund — Money, Taxes, and all things Financial

Think you're spending too much on rent? Wondering if groceries have skyrocketed for everyone or just you? Let’s find out together! I’m running a quick Cost of Living in Portugal survey to see how expats’ expenses compare: what we expected, what we’re actually paying, and how things have changed. Your input will help paint a real picture of life in Portugal, and I’ll be sharing the most interesting insights in The Expat Hustle. It only takes a few minutes—click here to take the survey!

Why Take the Survey?

🔹 See how your expenses compare – Get real insights into what other expats are spending across Portugal.

🔹 Understand the true cost of living – Expectations vs. reality—how much has changed?

🔹 Help fellow expats – Your experience could help others avoid costly surprises and make smarter financial decisions when moving here.

🔹 Exclusive insights for participants – I’ll be sharing the most interesting findings in The Expat Hustle so you’ll get the inside scoop on how others are budgeting and adjusting.

P.S. Your answers will be kept anonymous, and I’ll only use your details to ensure each form is completed just once.

🗣 Lost in Lingo

How to Lower Your Grocery Bill (and Sound Like a Local While Doing It!)

Save on your grocery bill by ditching the supermarket and hitting the local mercado. Fresh produce, better prices, and the chance to haggle a little (it’ll make you stronger). But before heading out the door, you need to know what to say. Mastering a few key Portuguese phrases can be the difference between getting the local price or the tourist tax. This week’s language lesson covers everything you need to confidently shop at the market, chat with vendors, and maybe even score a discount. Watch the video, practice a little, and next time you hit the market, you’ll be saving euros like a pro.

…And That’s All Folks

The Real Name of the Atlantic Ocean

Time for a fun history lesson: Back in the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal wasn’t just a tiny country on the edge of Europe; it was a global empire. While the rest of the world was still figuring out what was beyond the horizon, Portugal had already claimed, mapped, and traded across half the planet. From Brazil to Macau, they were out there sailing, conquering, and naming things after themselves.

So, honestly, calling it the Atlantic Ocean is just a missed opportunity. Given how much Portugal dominated the seas, we should all be referring to it by its rightful name: The Gulf of Portugal.

Who’s in agreement here? 😅 

Thanks for reading! 💌

Hustle on!

Angelique🧞‍♀️

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