UK expat urges Britons to ‘think twice’ before moving to European hotspot

Portugal has long been hailed as one of Europe’s hotspots with many Brits choosing the country as their new home.

A cheaper cost of living, sunnier climates, friendly communities and a vast landscape are often reasons cited for this new abode.

English is also widely spoken in Portugal with more than 30,000 British citizens choosing to live in Portugal, as of April 2021.

Algarve is the most desired spot for many Brits with a large community of British nationals also found in Lisbon and Porto.

However, not all is as it seems in the popular country according to one expat.

“Compared to other Western European countries, it’s a budget-friendly option for easier savings,” says Global Citizens Solutions.

They added: “Portugal also boasts a high quality of life, supported by excellent education and healthcare systems.”

“Additionally, foreign residents can benefit from attractive tax incentives when structured correctly.”

Despite this, one expat urged caution before embarking on Portugal to set up home, particularly in the region’s popular cities of Lisbon and Porto.

Victoria, or @Vikaglu on TikTok, has documented her move to Portugal being candid with the trials and tribulations she has faced along the way.

She said: “Do you know that Portuguese activists have protested against evictions and skyrocketing rents caused in part by foreigners?”

She added how the minimum wage is very low and that “renting is extremely high [and] bureaucracy is slow”.

A one-bedroom flat for rent in Lisbon averaged £1,675.18 (€2,005) meaning it was more expensive than Reykjavik and Amsterdam, according to a 2023 study.

The study looked at over 52,000 rental properties on the market, finding that property to rent in the region has become more and more expensive.

These issues were highlighted in a previous video stating: “Dear expats, think twice before you’ve moved”.

“Locals can’t live in their own towns because of gentrification,” added Victoria.

She added: “What I’m seeing is a huge real estate bubble in Lisbon and Porto, insane prices for rent.”