Portugal is the 5th best-ranked country in the Expat Insider 2021 survey, carried out by InterNations. The country rose eleven positions compared to 2020
After the 16th place conquered in 2020 in the Expat Insider survey, Portugal rose to the 5th place in the 2021 ranking, which this year is led by Taiwan, followed by Mexico, Costa Rica and Malaysia. The study was carried out by InterNations, a leading network and guide for foreigners in 420 global cities. Portugal managed to make it to the top 10 of the ranking, climbing 11 positions, among the 59 countries analysed in this study.
Moreover, Portugal was the only European destination to be placed among the top 10 countries on the overall rating. Portuguese quality of life was one of the main reasons for this achievement. The country was ranked 3rd place in this index, showing that expats living in Portugal consider having a high quality of life.
The country was also ranked within the top 10 in three of the other indexes analysed: quality of life (3rd), ease of settling in (9th) and cost of living (9th). It also scored well on the personal finance index (14th).
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Portugal expats among the happiest in the world
The study results indicate that Portugal expats are amongst the happiest worldwide: 84% consider themselves happy with their lives, compared to a global average of 75%. They especially appreciate the local leisure options (87%) and nearly four in five (79%) affirm to be happy with their socialising and leisure activities. The sunny climate and weather are also much appreciated (90%), as well as safety and security. Furthermore, 96% of the inquired expats describe Portugal as peaceful (vs. 80% globally), and 97% say to feel safe in the country (vs. 84% globally). A British expat stated that: “It’s a safe and peaceful place. It’s very beautiful with great food, music, culture, and scenery.”
Regarding Healthcare in Portugal, about three in four expats (73%) are satisfied with its affordability (vs. 61% globally). In addition, 86% are happy with the country’s travel opportunities, and 93% agree it is easy to get a local mobile phone number.
Our country is also the 2nd destination in the world where foreigners feel most at home, joining Mexico (1st) and Malaysia (3rd) in the top 3 of the “Feeling at Home” subcategory. More than four out of five immigrants in Portugal (83%) find it effortless to settle in and adapt to the local culture (82%). They also state having no difficulty in settling in the country (84%). "Overall, it has everything you need", said an inquired South African citizen about Portugal.
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Also according to InterNations, the pandemic "affected the migration intentions of around two out of every five expatriates in Portugal (37%), which is exactly the same percentage as the world average." Only 1% of expatriates intend to return home sooner than expected, and “more than a quarter have decided to stay in Portugal and not return home in the near future”.
Are you thinking about relocating to Portugal?
Portugal’s Golden Visa is one of Europe’s most popular immigration programmes, granting investors the right to live, work, and study in the country and visa-free travel within the Schengen Zone.
If you are considering taking advantage of the Portuguese Golden Visa, now is the right time to do it because changes to the programme are being set into motion in January 2022. Learn more about it here.
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