Life in Portugal: 10 Questions We Get Asked Most

When we first visited Portugal, we thought about how it made us feel. The colors, the buildings, the patterns on the sidewalks. And while all of these things contribute to your daily experience, they don’t tell you what it’s like to live somewhere.

We are an American family that has settled in Porto, Portugal. We have put our kids in school here and navigated the bureaucracy of getting here and then building a life here.

In this post, we’ll cover many of the frequently asked questions people have about what daily life is like in Portugal. We’ll cover everything from cost of living and healthcare to weather and taxes.

In some cases, our answers are more personal, and some may disagree. Whether you are considering moving here or just curious, you’ll learn a lot about Portugal!

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FAQ: Life in Portugal

Many people we speak with are considering a move to Portugal, or are just curious about what life is really like here. These are some of the most commonly asked questions we get about how things work here.

Don’t miss our guide to moving to Portugal, and our FAQ about moving to Portugal.

We also share what we personally wish we knew before moving, and asked the kids how they feel about the journey.

1. Do people speak English?

Most people in Portugal under sixty speak English, even if they claim they don’t. This usually means that they don’t feel that they speak English well. With the help of a translator app and a bit of goodwill, you can get by just fine with English.

We have found that almost all doctors and nurses in Porto speak a workable level of English. I had doctors here who were trained in the US, and most prefer to speak to you in your native language to avoid any misunderstandings.

They do appreciate it if you try to speak Portuguese, and will sympathize with you that it is a difficult language to learn.

Begin with a few phrases to be polite, and go from there. Our guide to basic Portuguese is a great place to start!

2. What is the weather like in Portugal?

The weather in Portugal varies by region- in the Algarve and the South, you’ll find dry, hot weather, moderately warm in Lisbon, and cooler with more rain in Porto and the North.

We’ve made a handy chart for you to see average temperatures in summer and winter in each major area of the country, as well as average days of rain.

Keep in mind these numbers are averages; in July, there are typically several days above 86°F / 30°C in the Algarve, with the hottest day on record being July 25, 2004, when temperatures reached 111°F / 44°C.

3. Is Portugal safe?

Yes, by almost any standard, Portugal is very safe. In the larger cities, some neighborhoods have more petty crime than others, and you should exercise additional caution after dark. Be on alert for pickpockets in heavily touristed areas.

In 2025, the Global Peace Index ranked Portugal the 7th safest country in the world. Iceland was number 1, the US ranked a dismal 127th.

Locals complain that crime rates have risen and are underreported. These complaints, while true, are based on the context of “what it used to be,” rather than a comparison to other major cities. In a country where violent crimes outside the home were almost negligible, individual crimes get a lot of press.

In Portugal, domestic violence is an ongoing problem, as is driving under the influence. Gun violence is rare, and the threat of terrorist attacks is very low.

4. Is Portugal LGBTQ+ friendly?

Yes, despite being a heavily Catholic country (80%+), Portugal is very LGBTQ+ friendly. Same sex marriage was legalized in 2010, and same-sex adoption in 2016. That same year, a law was passed allowing residents to self-determine gender and legally change both name and gender on their birth record.

Portugal still has a cultural machismo, but they are also very private people, so there is a sense that one should leave others to their own choices. You will find the most acceptance in Lisbon and Porto, where pride events are celebrated each year.

5. How big is Portugal?

At just over 35,500 square miles, Portugal is roughly the size of Indiana and just slightly bigger than the state of Maine. The entire country has a population of just over 10 million people.

Here are the approx. populations of major cities (not greater metropolitan areas) based on the 2022 Census:

Lisbon: 550,000
Porto: 232,000
Braga: 150,000
Coimbra: 110,000
Faro: 50,000

6. Is there good public transportation?

Both Lisbon and Porto have well-established metro and bus systems, and most cities have a strong public bus system. It is possible to live in either Porto or Lisbon without a car if you choose a neighborhood with access to public transport.

The country has a north/south train line that runs from the Algarve (Lagos and Faro) to Lisbon, then to Coimbra, Porto, and then to Vigo, Spain. Here is a map of the network.

Currently, the train from Lisbon to Porto takes three hours. In 2025, funding for high-speed rail lines was announced, which, when completed, would reduce the trip to 1 1/2 hours.

The train network also connects coastal towns, but does not connect most of inland Portugal, due primarily to the rugged topography. To access those towns, you’ll need a rental car or a guided day trip.

Portugal is also poorly connected to Spain via rail (and thus the rest of Europe). There is no high-speed train between the two countries, and each country uses a different track size.

The two countries have announced a direct link between Lisbon and Madrid, projected to be completed in 2030, with a transit time of five hours. That travel time should be reduced to three hours by 2034.

In the meantime, low-cost airlines are the best way to access the rest of Europe, with WizzAir, Ryanair, and EasyJet all providing service, in addition to TAP, Portugal’s national airline.

7. Is the healthcare any good?

Portugal has an excellent healthcare system that is based on a split model of public and private. Private insurance and private hospitals are available to everyone upon arrival. They offer modern, easy-to-access, affordable care without the wait times.

We often make appointments just a few days in advance, and doctors generally speak English quite well; referrals for a specialist are not necessary. All of your data and appointments are centralized on an app for easy use.

We got a crash course in the private system after Waker was in a bike accident and needed ER care and emergency surgery, and we were quite impressed.

With mid-range insurance in Porto, at a private hospital, we personally pay 50€ for an ER visit, and a 19€ co-pay for a typical doctor’s visit. After insurance, an MRI is 70€, a mammogram with sonogram is €70, and physical therapy is 10€ per session.

The public system provides cheap or free care, including all vaccines and handling more complicated cases (such as cancer). The system is short of doctors and nurses, which is what leads to longer wait times.

Once you are an official resident of Portugal, you have access to the public system via an SNS number, which also lowers the cost of prescriptions. Some medications, such as insulin, are provided free of charge. An SNS health app tracks all of your prescriptions, both public and private, as well as your vaccinations.

Portugal was recently named one of the 5 Best Healthcare Systems for Expats in 2026. You can read more details about the system, including cost comparisons to the U.S.

8. Is Portugal cheaper than the US?

Generally, yes, the cost of living in Portugal is significantly lower than in the U.S. Obviously, this depends on which city you are comparing.

We pay 1.69€ for a loaf of fresh sourdough bread, and 3.25€ for a dozen eggs. Food is less expensive, while gas and electricity are more expensive.

Prices in Lisbon are significantly higher than in Porto, and even higher in the Algarve.

9. Are the taxes really high?

Portuguese taxes are quite high by US standards. Anyone who makes their home in Portugal or spends 183 days or more a year in Portugal must pay taxes on their worldwide income.

Tax rates are progressive, meaning that you pay the tax rate for each bracket of income. Income tax rates start around 13.25% and go up to 48%.

The highest tax rate for 2025 is 48%; you pay this on amounts above 81,199€ in income. That doesn’t mean that if you make 100,000€ you pay 48% on all of it; it means you pay 48% on the 18,801€ above the 81,199€ threshold, and lower rates on the other income.

For residents, the capital gains tax is a flat 8%, paid on 50% of the value of the sale. You can avoid this tax if you sell your main home and use the proceeds to buy another house in the EU.

10. Are the schools affordable?

Portugal has a well-rated public school system, which varies by city, but is free. Larger schools offer Portuguese classes and help integrate new foreign students. This program is called “Português Língua Não Materna”, or PLNM. School is legally required starting at age 6.

Some expats report great success with this, while others struggle or find little support available.

Schools are assigned based on your local address and then availability, so it is difficult to determine ahead of time which school offers the strongest support.

As many schools are full, navigating the process of finding a place for your child can be a struggle. Legally, the district must find a place for every child, but this is not a quick process.

Portugal also offers a variety of Private Portuguese schools. These schools charge 300€ – 600€ per month. Most of them are Catholic schools, and instruction is in Portuguese.

Both public and private Portuguese schools operate (generally speaking) on a traditional school model involving desks, worksheets, and written tests. A few alternative schools are available, especially for younger students, but you’ll primarily find these in the outskirts of major cities.

Lastly, there are International Schools in Lisbon, Porto, and Braga that offer instruction in English, French, or German. These are the most expensive.

Rates in Lisbon and its suburbs can top 20,000€ per year, while schools in Porto cost about half that.

British international schools follow either the Cambridge or IB curriculum. These schools often embrace a more progressive learning model with an emphasis on group projects and creative learning.

There You Have It

These are some of the most frequently asked questions we get asked about living in Portugal. From taxes to healthcare, understanding what Portugal offers and how it’s structured is the first step in deciding whether a move makes sense for you.

For more about culture in Portugal, don’t miss our list of what we wish we knew before moving, as well as our top tips for travelers.

If you are intrigued, take a look at our guide to moving to Portugal. We cover the basic requirements to get a residency visa.

We also have a post on the FAQ about moving to Portugal that covers more detailed information.

Don’t miss our interview with the kids– they reflect on the good and bad of moving to Portugal.

Headed to Porto? Check out our 3-day itinerary, or a list of top things to do!