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Ever wondered what it’s like living in Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city? Have you considered moving to Porto but didn’t know what to do first? If so, you’ve discovered the proper guide. Learn about the job market, Porto cost of living, and other tips to make your stay here easy and worthwhile.
The city of Porto may have been on your list of potential locations to reside. You may move to Portugal, which has 230,000 individuals and 1.7 million urbanites, and you won’t regret it!
Porto is one of Portugal’s two largest cities. However, it is significantly smaller than Lisbon, the capital. The culture, natural beauty, and living costs in Porto make up for its small size. Despite the many tourists, it seems more Portuguese.
Additionally, it provides a gateway to Northern Porto and even Northern Spain. This will enable you to visit neighboring towns like Guimarães and Braga. Also, you can add stunning parks like Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês to your list.
Internationalism pervades the city. Since it now houses many institutions, including the University of Porto, foreigners have traditionally eschewed Porto in favor of Lisbon and the Algarve’s warmer climate. However, more are moving here to experience Portuguese city life.
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Is living in Porto a good idea?
Porto Spain is a stunning city. It has a wealth of historical and cultural landmarks, a superb international airport, a growing expat community, and excellent public transit. Everything in the city is nearby. Porto is ideal for city dwellers who don’t want to live in Lisbon.
Porto Language
The main language spoken in Porto is obviously Portuguese. However, being a popular city on the international scene, many people also speak English and Spanish. There are also some minority languages spoken by immigrant communities.
Although you can get by with English, it is always recommended to learn some Portuguese to make the expat experience as authentic as possible and to build new connections with locals.
Porto Portugal Weather
As Porto is located in the northwestern part of Portugal’s peninsula, its summers are warm without being too hot, and its winters can be cold and wet, although temperatures rarely fall below 1 degree C.
Generally, Porto’s hottest month is August. Its coldest month is January, so make sure you have suitable clothing for all seasons. Whether you’ll rent or buy property, make sure there is central heating for the winter and the place is well-insulated. However, good weather is generally part of living in this beautiful city.
Porto Population
According to the World Population Review, the population of Porto is about 1.3 million people.
Is Porto Portugal safe?
Porto has a low crime rate and is a culturally stimulating place, thus tourists and expats feel safe visiting and moving there. A word of caution, however, as in any city: be alert of your surroundings and act accordingly.
Pick-pocketing and bag snatching are of significant concern, especially in high-traffic tourist locations. Keep an eye on your valuables and be careful when moving about. Porto is a major tourist destination, so be aware of the possibility of frauds like fake entrance tickets to popular sights. Careful travelers avoid potentially dangerous circumstances.
While transportation services in Porto are typically reliable and safe, it is essential to be aware of pickpockets, particularly in public transportation, and to avoid entering empty metro carriages. While Porto has not been hit by any recent terrorist acts, it is always important to be vigilant.
Women traveling alone can feel safe in Porto if they exercise common sense, avoid walking at night or in desolate areas, and take the usual safety precautions.
The Porto Labor Market: Working in Porto as an Expat
Obtaining employment is undoubtedly one of the first things you would consider while relocating to Porto.
Porto’s labor market is progressively improving. There are more job openings in the city’s primary businesses. This includes tourism, manufacturing, IT, and technology. Porto is also becoming a center for entrepreneurial activity. It was due to the fast-growing startup culture.
The majority of job openings are posted online via the corporate website and several employment platforms. You can visit these sites, try applying, and see whether there are any openings. You may also visit certain offices. In the tourist and hospitality sectors, this is quite typical.
It’s always a good idea to try submitting your resume and contact information to local hiring companies. If they have a position that fits your qualifications, they will surely get in touch. Additionally, even though Porto offers job opportunities only to English speakers, being multilingual increases your chances of landing a job quickly.
Buying or renting a house in Porto for foreigners
Porto is much less expensive than a lot of other western European towns. This also applies to purchasing or renting. You may find a suitable house at an affordable price.
You should examine it before renting or buying real estate. So, here’s an overview of the Porto rental and real estate markets that will surely help you decide.
Purchasing a villa in Porto
Even though Porto has become a major hub for business and employment opportunities, housing costs are still low. This is when compared to other European cities, such as Lisbon. Generally speaking, if you follow the procedures and do what you’re asked to do, purchasing real estate in Porto is simple.
Leasing a residence in Porto
If you want to see the city and get to know the districts in Porto before deciding to purchase real estate, renting is a wonderful alternative. There are plenty of possibilities for any budget on the Porto rental market. In addition to townhouses and larger real estate, you can find everything from studio flats to three-bedroom apartments.
As some landlords want to rent their properties to tourists for maximum profit, it might sometimes be simpler to find short-term rentals. There are sites that offer an excellent place to start when looking for a property to rent in Porto. However, you may also want to go via local Facebook groups. If you want to stay away from increased costs, the latter is a wise choice.
What’s the cost of living in Porto Portugal?
Portuguese living and working circumstances are cheaper than in other European nations, with Porto being cheaper than Lisbon. The monthly expenditure amount varies depending on spending habits and conditions.
Accommodation
Living in a city is usually expensive, but Portugal’s second-largest city offers good value for money regarding most things, including accommodation. As mentioned above, it’s important to plan, do some research, and decide whether renting or buying is the best option for you.
For comparison, the rent of a one-bedroom apartment in Porto’s center is around 924.17 euros per month, and outside the center, around 696.45 euros. Porto’s downtown three-bedroom flats cost 1,667.36 euros per month, while those outside cost 1,117.56 euros. Buying city center real estate is 251 euros per square meter; outside the center, it’s 166 euros per square meter.
Food
Exploring Porto’s excellent restaurant scene should be on everyone’s agenda, and luckily meals out are affordable and a wonderful way to sample Portugal’s varied and fresh cuisine.
Restaurant prices in Porto indicate eating-out costs. A reasonable restaurant meal costs 9 euros, while a mid-range three-course meal for two costs 40 euros. For quick dinner, McDonald’s or similar restaurants charge 7 euros to 9 euros for a combo.
A pint of domestic beer costs 2 euros, up from 1.50 euros to 4 euros. Imported 12-ounce beers cost 2.85 euros, ranging from 1.60 euros to 5 euros. Coffee lovers may have a normal cappuccino for 1.40 euros, 0.75 euros, or 3 euros.
Transportation
Porto has a strong, economical transportation system. Although you can reach most places in the center on foot, other transport options are also available.
Porto’s budget-friendly transportation options include the metro, trams, and buses. Meanwhile, the Funicular dos Guindais offers a unique perspective of the city, although it is a little more expensive. Single metro tickets cost 1.80 euros, but with the Porto Card or Andante Tour Card, you can enjoy unlimited metro rides for around 40 euros per month.
Taxis are an affordable option, especially for precise locations, with airport transfers starting at around 15 euros. Additionally, taxi, Uber, and Bolt drivers are knowledgeable about Porto and can provide helpful tips on navigating the city.
Healthcare
The healthcare in Porto (and Portugal as a whole) is often praised as being one of the best in the world. Its public health service is similar to the NHS in the UK and is free or low-cost for citizens and legal residents. Waiting times can sometimes be longer, so some expats opt for private medical care.
Porto’s private healthcare may be more expensive than the public health service, but it’s still comparatively cheaper than in many other European countries. The advantage of private healthcare is that it’s faster, so it’s the perfect solution when applying for Portuguese residency. Choosing private healthcare over public healthcare also means you have all the benefits and access to some excellent private hospitals.
Best Porto Neighborhoods for Expats
Several areas of Porto are well-liked by international residents thanks to their convenient location, wealth of services, and high standard of living. Do remember that tastes vary widely.
The following are some examples of popular expat neighborhoods in Porto:
- Foz do Douro is an upmarket neighborhood with a blend of modern conveniences and historical allure, and it’s located close to the beach. It is loved by both natives and foreigners for its laid-back vibe.
- The commercial section, high-end housing, and closeness to cultural landmarks make Boavista an attractive neighborhood. It’s a vibrant area full with great places to eat, shop, and have fun.
- Close to the city center, Cedofeita is a bustling and diversified neighborhood with a combination of traditional and modern aspects. In addition to its bohemian vibe, it also offers a variety of housing alternatives for potential foreign residents.
- Paranhos is a young, vibrant neighborhood with a variety of cultural and recreational options because it is home to the University of Porto. The neighborhood is bustling and well-served by public transportation.
- The Miragaia neighborhood of Porto’s old town is quaint and genuine. Several restaurants, shops, and museums may be found in this riverside area.
- Peaceful and lush, Lordelo do Ouro is a popular residential area in Porto. It is somewhat outside of the downtown area yet still conveniently located.
How to move to Porto: Getting a residence permit and visa as a foreigner
Numerous foreigners of all nations and origins have made Porto their new home. Relocation requirements for certain paperwork and agency support differ based on your country of origin. The overview below explains what every instance requires.
EU residents living in Porto may travel, remain, and work. Any EU member state allows this without a visa. You must apply for a town hall residence permit to stay longer than three months. The process is assured to be straightforward.
A national tax identification number (NIF), evidence of financial independence—that is, proof that you are not reliant on the Portuguese government for income—and proof of health insurance are required in addition to a residency card.
Being a Non-EU Citizen Residing in Porto
Before acquiring a Portuguese residence card, non-EU nationals may expect extra administrative processes and bureaucratic obstacles. Help is available, even if the procedure appears difficult and time-consuming. There are residence and citizenship branches that have a team of experts that can help non-EU nationals realize their ambitions towards relocating to Portugal.
Having a Portugal Golden Visa and living in Porto
Portugal’s Golden Visa program is one of the most sought-after residency-by-investment schemes on the international market. This then provides qualified individuals with excellent possibilities. Investment in 500,000 euros worth of residential real estate in an inner location or 350,000 euros for a restoration project is the first choice.
Capital transfers or investment money of 500,000 euros for commercial real estate investment nationwide or 350,000 euros for repair are also required. Then, 250,000 euros for arts or cultural heritage restoration and 500,000 euros for scientific research Those who qualify may enter Portugal for up to five years with a Golden Visa and live in Porto.
Living in Porto with the D7 Visa
Not everyone can deposit a large sum to invest in property or business. However, there are other options available for those who want to live in Porto but don’t have a financial buffer. Portugal’s D7 Visa is a great alternative for non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss citizens, as long as they have a sustainable income to support themselves in Porto.
The income source does not necessarily have to be from an ongoing job. It can be passive income like a pension or other passive income sources. The D7 Visa can also be an ideal choice for remote workers. This is if they can demonstrate a minimum monthly income of 760 euros.
Living in Porto with the Digital Nomad Portugal Visa
Porto is becoming a popular digital nomad location. This is due to its pleasant temperature, laid-back culture, and friendly people. Furthermore, the country’s investment in its infrastructure, such as high-speed internet in most areas, provides all the necessary resources for digital nomads to work remotely in the country easily.
The Digital Nomad Portugal Visa is still relatively new. It took effect in October 2022 but is quickly gaining popularity with remote workers. Portugal allows digital nomads to reside anywhere for a year with a visa. This shows a 2,800 euros monthly income.
Living in Porto has become an attractive option for many expats moving to Portugal.
The Bottom Line
You may now enjoy Porto’s finest, regardless of your background or finances, with a range of visa alternatives. This beautiful city is a safe and friendly place and gives many expats what they look for but can’t find in other European cities. A laid-back but high-quality way of life, plenty of employment opportunities, some of the best neighborhoods, lots of enjoyable leisure activities, fresh and delicious food, and welcoming locals can be found in Porto.
Whether you’re an American expat or come from any other place outside the EU or EEA, this is the sign for you to make your dream of living in Porto a reality.
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