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Portugal, your new home
Portugal is one of the most amazing places in Western Europe. Located in the South-west of the continent; it is warm and sunny. The air temperature rarely drops below 0 degrees, even on the colder winter nights. The number of sunny days per year is near 300. Portugal is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean on west and south coasts. Thanks to the ocean, the country has several climate zones. And everyone can choose the most comfortable place to live in.
Take a look at what Portugal offers to every new resident
Portugal Offers
In terms of security, Portugal ranks third in the world. This is confirmed by the Global Peace Index ranking of the Institute of Economics and Peace. Locals are friendly and law-abiding citizens. The people of Portugal treat guests and immigrants very well and are always ready to help.
Healthcare
Portugal has universal health coverage through its publically financed National Health Service (called the Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS). Basic national health coverage is administered through local and regional health centers and through hospitals and includes all care other than dentistry. This service is available to all residents of Portugal. Healthcare under Portugal’s national health system is free for children under 18 and for people over 65.
Otherwise, unless it is urgent care or falls under specific circumstances, healthcare is available under the NHS at a low rate. Medication administered during a hospital procedure by the hospital is free.
Political stability
With almost nine centuries of well defined geographical borders, a democratic parliamentary regime with political stability prevails in Portugal. Portugal is a member of the European Union and forms part of the European Monetary System, using the European single currency. It is also the 46th most competitive economy, out of a total of 138 countries according to the 2016-2017 Global Competitiveness Index, produced by the World Economic Forum.
Standard of living
Portugal is one of the most popular countries for people who want to move to warm areas. The reason for this is the relatively low cost of living and the tax benefits they receive here. The country has a high level of medicine and education.
Ecology
Ecology is the pride of Portugal. Portugal is ranked 26th out of more than 260 countries in the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. It is located between Canada and the USA. The country is famous for its vast number of eco-friendly beaches — they are marked with the blue flag. In 2019 there were 352 of them: 317 on the ocean coast and 35 on the banks of rivers.
Climate
The climate of Portugal is temperate and influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. In the north, the climate is cool and rainy, while moving south it becomes gradually warmer and sunnier; in the far south, the region of Algarve has a dry and sunny microclimate. In the interior, on the border with Spain, the climate is a bit more continental. In the north-central there are also mountain ranges. In the highest, Serra da Estrela, you can ski in winter.
In summer, Portugal is protected by the Azores High, so it’s usually sunny everywhere, however, a few weather fronts can still affect the northern part of the country. In the rest of the year, and especially from November to March, rainfall can occur, especially in the north where it is more frequent and abundant. Therefore, the landscape in the north is definitely green, while it gradually becomes more arid towards the south, down to Algarve, which has a fairly dry climate.
Quality of life
Portugal enjoys one of the highest quality of life rates, ranking 18th, ahead of countries such as Canada, United Kingdom, France and Singapore.
Portugal has an excellent geographical location. At the meeting point between three continents – Europe, Africa and America -, it has always been central to the most important international routes. Here you can find international airports all over the country – Lisbon, Faro and Porto have regular connections to major cities in the world; Lisbon is just two hours away from Paris and London by plane.
Ease of communication
The number of Portuguese fluent on foreign languages (especially English) is amazing. Studies have highlighted that when English speaking levels is assessed at a global scale, Portugal ranks 15th out of 70 countries. English is mostly spoken by the younger generations, and it’s not hard to many Portuguese people who speak a bit of French. Statistics show that 42% of Portuguese master a foreign language.
Some examples:
- One of the most advanced and integrated banking systems in the world. The large majority of ATMs belong to a unique system, that enables you to consult your various accounts electronically, to make payments online, to pay your taxes from your phone, to make money transfers or even to purchase train tickets from a single device.
- Originally launched in 1991 by Brisa, “Via Verde”, (green lane in English), is an electronic drive-by toll system that covers all highways. Today you can use Via Verde to park your car in almost every car parking, pay for the parking in major Portuguese cities, and more.
- In Portugal, it is really easy to get access to internet, you can find Wifi anywhere (or almost). Optic fibre is well serviced across the country; high speed internet is generalised.