4 reasons why families should choose Portugal

23 December 2024
4 reasons why families should choose Portugal

4 reasons why families should choose Portugal

Sitting at your desk daydreaming about a new life in the sun? Goodbye gray skies and long hours. Hello beautiful beaches, glorious weather and lazy lunches relaxing on the terrace. With its warm climate and fantastic quality of life, Portugal is an ideal location for future expats. Known for its gastronomy, culture, and coastline, this beautiful country is not only popular with retirees, it's also perfect for families.

1. Family life in Portugal

In Portugal, children are welcome and included in almost everything. Everywhere you go, you'll see families spending time together at cafes, restaurants, concerts, shopping malls, or just hanging out with friends. This inclusive atmosphere makes the country more welcoming and friendly, but you may have to postpone your bedtime to live like the locals!

If you have fond memories of a childhood outdoors, riding a bike, building burrows and staying outdoors until dark, with its long summers and mild winters, Portugal is a huge outdoor amusement park. Convincing children to download their screens for a few hours and leave the house is not difficult when the weather is glorious. It is safe as well as sunny, and there is plenty to see and do.

Active kids will love it. In addition to a great climate, Portugal boasts one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, where you'll find plenty of sandy beaches and secluded hidden coves. Beachgoers can enjoy the crystal clear waters, while surfers ride the waves that roll in the Atlantic all year round. The Portuguese surf culture is friendly and inclusive, so it's easy for beginners to get started.

2. A land of history and culture

With history literally all around you, there's plenty to give young minds a workout too. A maritime nation famous for explorers such as Vaso da Gama, which first connected Europe to Asia via an oceanic trade route, Portugal was once a major European power, boasting an empire that stretched from the Americas to Japan. This is reflected in the magnificent architecture that is a melting pot of different styles.

Being one of the oldest countries in Europe, Portugal is home to seventeen UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic center of Évora, where you will find the famous Roman temple. Everywhere you go, you'll find fascinating things to see and visit, including historic cities, castles, cathedrals, monasteries, and museums filled with ancient treasures.

With such a rich history and culture, it is no wonder that the Portuguese have so many parties such as the February Carnival parade, for example. Born from the traditional feast to consume all the meat before Lent, today the celebrations are a riot of spandex and sequins. If you like carioca-style parties, the whole family can join in and join in on the fun. This makes Pancake Day look quite quaint!

3. An affordable cost of living


This idyllic lifestyle may seem expensive, but you don't need to pay a premium to enjoy it. In fact, rents, utilities and shopping are considerably cheaper than in many European countries. And if you're looking to sell and buy here, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how far your property budget will stretch.

When it comes to the weekly shop, the food is fresh, local and seasonal, which means lower prices than you're used to. Learn how to cook traditional Portuguese dishes and you will enjoy a diet rich in seafood, salad, vegetables, batted with a glass or two of excellent local wine. Eating out is also cheaper and part of the culture. Don't worry about booking an outdoor table. Outdoor dining is the norm.

4. Portuguese education


In addition to a better lifestyle, one of the main considerations for families planning to live in Portugal is education. Like most European countries, Portugal offers all children public education up to the age of 18, at which point students have the option of continuing their studies at a university or polytechnic. Overall, the education system in Portugal is well-resourced and delivers good results, but like anywhere else, the quality of each school can vary, and getting a place of your preferred choice can be a bit of a lottery.

Alternatively, you may want to consider a private or international school, especially for older children who may struggle with language and cultural differences, and this may be more affordable than you think. Younger people should have no problem integrating and usually make the adjustment quickly.

This topic is covered in more detail in our schools and education guide

👉👉 Schools and Education in Portugal (ourhomeportugal.com)

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