Why Americans are picking Portugal over other European nations

Posted: - Updated: November 13, 2020

Portugal has long been hailed as a ‘top’ destination for Americans looking to relocate or invest in Europe. This has recently been reaffirmed by Forbes magazine and the European Best Destinations (EBD) organization, who have included Algarve, Braga, and Azores on a list of ‘20 best places for Americans to live, invest and work in Europe’.

Why are Americans picking Portugal over other countries? Well according to Forbes and EBD’s list, Portugal’s international schools, quality of life, healthcare system, technology, ease of transportation, cost of living, welcoming expat community, and low crime rates make it an ideal destination for American families to relocate to.

In particular, Americans have their eye on Portugal’s sunny Algarve, which is jampacked with gorgeous beaches, excellent weather, and a low population density.

In fact, the Algarve is world-renowned for its surf and outdoor water sports, making it a perfect place for American digital nomads who surf online by day, and surf waves after work.

São Brás de Alportel is another favorite among American expats, with its mesmerizing green hills and breathtaking Ocean views. Along with the Algarve’s high-quality international schools and proximity to Lisbon, Americans view Portugal as one of the happiest countries to live in.

Elsewhere in Portugal, Braga offers the best quality of life for US expats and is regarded as ‘the Portuguese Rome’. Rich in history and culture, Braga has no shortage of green spaces and international schools. Neither does it have a shortage of investment opportunities. Experiencing tourism growth, more and more Americans are seizing the opportunity to invest in property for short-term rentals. 

Off mainland Portugal, the stunning Azores is home to nine beautiful islands, where the regional government has introduced various incentives to magnetize businesses and start-ups. Tax incentives have lured many American entrepreneurs to the Azores, enabling them to kickstart businesses in an island offering a high quality of life and the best value for money in real estate. According to EBD’s list, the average price per square meter in the Azores is almost three times lower than the average price in the US.

Besides Portugal, other popular European cities included on the EBD list include:

  • Madrid
  • San Sebastian
  • Malaga
  • Brighton
  • Hamburg
  • Berlin
  • Athens
  • Brest-Terres Oceánes and Alsace
  • Brussels 
  • Vienna
  • Rotterdam
  • Tuscany
  • Basel
  • Dubrovnik
  • Cork
  • Poland

The 20 finalists were chosen from a first selection of 120 destinations.

How are Americans making the move to Portugal?

Portugal has two highly-successful programs that have enabled Americans to move to Portugal easily enough. The popular Portugal Golden Visa Scheme invites expats to make a qualifying investment in the nation and in turn, receive legal residency within a few short months. The second option would be to go through Portugal’s Passive Income D7 visa, but do note this option is available for passive income earners only.

As Portugal Golden Visa specialists, Global Citizen Solutions has helped dozens of American families navigate the program requirements, enabling them to successfully receive legal residency in the country. 

For more information on the Portugal Golden Visa, check out our comprehensive guide to the program below.

Thinking of moving to Portugal? Chat to our relocation experts

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique consulting firm specializing in bespoke residency and citizenship solutions for international families. Our best-selling program — The Portugal Golden Visa — has helped hundreds of Americans apply for legal residency in Portugal and start anew.

Contact us today for a confidential free conversation with one of our relocation experts. We can help you to identify your options and objectives, enabling you to move forward with your relocation plans to Portugal.