Portugal: About Portugal

Portugal is a favorite of golfers, retirees and those who love the sun. If you enjoy a game of golf then a dinner of delicious seafood with fine wine or a glass of port set in a dramatic background, then Portugal is the place to be.

The country generally has a pleasant climate with mild winter and warm summers. The Algarve is famous for its year round climate with cool summer breeze, keeping everything pleasurable.

Portugal is easily accessible. Budget airlines such as bmibaby and Easy Jet cater flights to Faro on the Algarve. There are many cheap flight options and air travel from UK to Lisbon takes about three hours. The fastest route to take if you prefer a long drive from England is the Plymouth-Santander or Portsmouth-Bilbao ferries to northern Spain and then on to Portugal.

Geographically diverse, Portugal has sandy beaches and mountain ranges with rich valleys and forests in between. One of country’s most beautiful regions is Douro, with picturesque panoramas extending to the Spanish border and hills covered with port wine vineyards. Usually described as one of Europe’s most enjoyable cities is Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. The Art Nouveau architecture is framed with tree line avenues and you can get a great view of the city from the many cafes.

More than 50,000 Brits are permanently residing in Portugal and many more are Portuguese property owners in the southwestern corner of Europe. With just a valid passport or identity card, citizens of EU member states can freely enter Portugal. There is no need to apply for a residence permit for visitors who plan to stay no longer than three months. But you need a temporary residence permit for those who are planning to stay for three to twelve months and a full residence permit for new arrivals intending to stay for more than a year in the country. For those moving permanently to this corner of the Iberian Peninsula, it is especially important to adapt to the way of life there. It is not simply improving your basic written and spoken Portuguese, but it may take some time to adjust to the slower pace of life and at times to the quality of amenities and sevices in rural areas.

Portugal is more suitable for those who are looking for a different lifestyle than for property buyers who would like to make a quick profit. The country has been an old favourite of property buyers abroad and there is a need for properties on posh developments. Development has decreased when a new planning law in 1993 was introduced. However, new developments suit the charming and appealing surroundings of Portugal. Older properties for renovation may also be found in the country.

Posted on: Portugal

News by country

Portugal: About Portugal

Related articles

Recent Posts

News archive