Hints on retiring in Portugal

If you’ve decided on Portugal as your retirement haven, you won’t be the first and you certainly won’t be the last, as the country has been a hub for British retirees for several decades.

Whilst those relocating for work normally settle in Lisbon or Porto, the sunny Algarve is an all-time favourite for retirees. The region offers a quieter, less hectic environment and a less developed coastline than does Spain’s Costa del Sol, and has numerous amenities and attractions. Golf is an all-time favourite, as are a good few other sporting options, and the region’s stunning historic architecture and world-class marinas are a joy.

If you’re due to receive your UK state pension, you’ll be pleased to hear it can be paid directly into a Portuguese bank account should you so wish, at least for now. You should claim it before you leave, although there may be problems post-Brexit as there needs to be a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Portugal. This is an important issue for all UK retirees living in EU member states, making it likely some kind of agreement will be reached. If you decide to have the pension paid into your UK bank account, using an online currency transfer site is the best way to get a good sterling to euro exchange rate.

Portugal’s state-provided healthcare is good quality as well as generally being free of charge with the exception of a patient contribution should hospital treatment be required. English is widely spoken, and the Portuguese Health Service rates 12th in the World Heath Organisation’s listings, whereas the UK’s NHS staggers in at 18th. Again, the post-Brexit status as regards healthcare of Brit expats in Portugal has yet to be decided. Once you’ve arrived and have your accommodation requirements sorted out, joining an online expat forum site is the best idea as regards asking questions and getting answers from those who’ve been in exactly your position!

‘How to,’ ‘where is’ and ‘how do I’ will get experienced replies and save you money as well as trouble. Local estate agents can also be life-savers as regards getting good broadband, registering for utilities and finding the best tradesmen in your immediate area. Learning enough Portuguese to get by in an emergency is also highly recommended, even although it’s rated as one of the planet’s most difficult languages!