In the last two decades, Portugal rose from a barely-known Southern European country into the prestigious, premiere international destination that countless wish to visit every year. Thus, it should come as no surprise that Portugal is skyrocketing through the ranks and vying for the attention of the American audience - even competing with countries like France – the most visited country in the world.
More American Citizens are Visiting Portugal
American citizens, when visiting Portugal, often and easily become fascinated with the country. It simply has an unequivocally old charm that draws in, enticing people, and wherever you are, strolling the streets of Lisbon, Porto, or taking a swim in the Algarve’s waters, you are bound to listen and recognise the unmistakable, multiple American accents.
There is no doubt more U.S. nationals are becoming enthralled with Portugal – but just how many? What does the situation truly look like, from an official point of view? If there is any doubt about the American people’s love for Portugal - you can rest easy.
The most recent findings from Statistics Portugal, - or Instituto Nacional de Estatísticas in Portuguese - the official statistics agency, updated most recently on the 28th of June of 2024, reveal that there has been a total of 6,9 million foreign residents visiting Portugal between January and May 2024.
On the same day, Statistics Portugal also updated the total number of people visiting Portugal. In total, about 3,1 million people visited Portugal during May 2024, revealing an increase of 9,4% in comparison to April 2024. While this number also factors in Portuguese residents, Statistics Portugal clarifies that 2,05 million are from foreign residents.
The May report also reveals that U.S. citizens were the third-largest demographic in regard to foreign residents’ overnight stays in Portugal. Out of a total of 7,7 million overnight stays, 1,9 million belonged to Portuguese Residents. The remaining 5,8 million stays came from foreign visitors.
In this universe of 5,8 million stays during May 2024, the U.S. market rose to the third position – surpassing French holidaymakers. With a market share of 10,1% - this means around 585,800 overnight stays from American citizens, who chose to spend their time in Portugal during May 2024, journeying the streets of Lisbon, or going down the iconic Douro River.
Overall, the presence of U.S. nationals has grown a remarkable 22% over the first few months of 2024. The report also highlights that, from January to May, the number of American citizens visiting Portugal has grown positively – about 16,2%.
A news report released by famous Portuguese newspaper, Público, advances that the Bank of Portugal revealed that, between January and April, U.S. Citizens have collectively spent €692 million in Portugal – an increase of 18,2% in comparison to 2023.
More data further corroborates this. In another news report, this time from another newspaper, Expresso, we find out that U.S. citizens have had more than 1,16 million overnight stays in Portugal between the first 4 months of 2024, becoming the number 1 demographic of foreign nationals staying in Lisbon hotels. Adding the more than half a million from May 2024, and healthy projections for the rest of the year – it paints a clear picture. American citizens love Portugal and are crucial to Portugal’s economy.
An Increasing Number of Flights between Portugal and the United States
Portugal has a series of attraction points that speak, beckon, and cater to the American traveller. However, due to multiple reasons, including, but not limited to the ocean separating Europe and the United States, the need to take time off, the organisation of a large-scale trip overseas – and the fact that Portugal is relatively far from the rest of Europe – sometimes, the country is often discarded to the side, in favour of other countries, like France and Italy.
However, there has been a key player in publicly making it easier for American citizens to visit Portugal - TAP Portugal, the country’s national airline, with its Stopover programme. With this option, U.S visitors have been able to freely acquire a stopover in either Lisbon or Porto, between 1 and 10 days, before their outbound journey, to get to know and visit Portugal, the perfect opportunity to go down to Southern Portugal and bask in the Algarve sun.
In a recent press release, TAP revealed that the programme was used by 214,000 people in 2023 – of which 20% were U.S. citizens, which means roughly 42,800 American willingly travellers chose to add Portugal to their European journeys to Madrid, Barcelona, and Rome. The U.S. Global Traveler magazine also elected TAP’s Stopover Programme as the best in the world for the fifth year in a row.
Besides TAP, and the Portuguese SATA, three U.S-based airlines – Delta, American and United - have not only been taking advantage of the programme but also establishing direct flight connections between the United States and Portugal, further highlighting how tremendously important Portugal has become for American citizens.
Why Are So Many U.S. Citizens Choosing Portugal?
With excellent numbers for early 2024, building and increasing from the superb numbers from 2023, and fantastic projections for the rest of the year and beyond – it raises the question: why are so many American citizens choosing Portugal?
Though the numbers present the reality of U.S. nationals visiting Portugal, and not necessarily the reality of Americans living in Portugal – the reasons tend to overlap. Portugal Homes reached out to some of its clients originally from the United States and asked just the question at hand: why did you choose to move to Portugal?
There were various answers. However, a few key reasons stood out. Chief among them was the feeling of safety Portugal provides to all its residents and citizens. This comes as no surprise as Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world. In 2024, Portugal renewed its title as the 7th Safest Country on Earth, despite the Global Peace Index having updated and made its indicators stricter, revealing it truly is a safe haven in an increasingly unsafe, unstable modern world.
The weather also came up as a quoted reason – especially its steady predictableness. Extreme phenomena like snowstorms and hurricanes are a seldom sight in Portugal, and the sun is always shining, even during wintertime. The summers are hot, with temperatures reaching high 80sºF and low 90sºF (around 30ºC to 40ºC). The winters are milder and rainy, though the temperature rarely goes below the 30sºF (around 0ºC). Unfortunately, snow is rare to see, unless in the more mountainous countryside, and in Northern Portugal. There is a reason Portugal is often referred to as the “California of Europe” - and more and more foreign-based nationals are discovering their little corner of paradise in Portugal.
Another reason the country attracts so many American citizens is because of its rather compact size. Being drastically smaller than the United States, travelling in Portugal is an easy and effortless task. The entire country takes about 7 to 8 hours to drive, from the North to the Algarve, and Portugal offers multiple public transportation options for those keen to not spend as much time driving a car. In this regard, how differently built Portuguese cities are from those in the United States – where it is possible to walk everywhere, and how everything is within distance, including schools, hospitals, cafés, restaurants, and streets full of commerce - the unmistakable charm of towns with hundreds of years of history.
The welcoming attitude and warmth of the Portuguese people, paired up with the natural, slower, and more relaxed pace of life, frequently came up as a topic of discussion. Many of our American clients referred that, despite being foreigners in another country, that they have not felt like outsiders. It took them some time to adjust to their new Portuguese reality, but that they have never been happier than they are now. One of the major factors that contributed to this was Portuguese’s people high proficiency in English – and their easy-going, inclusive approach to social activities.
Some of our U.S.-based clients also referred how they chose Portugal for their retirement plan - and how the existence of multiple Residency by Investment Visas, including the Golden Visa, the D2 and D7 Visas - granted them a wider, more informed choice, leading them to choose Portugal. The facilitated path Portugal has toward EU Citizenship – available in 5 years of Residency – was something often brought-up, especially as a legacy they can leave for their children and their children after them.
Move to Portugal as an American Citizen with Portugal Homes
Thousands of American citizens choose Portugal as the next country to visit or as a stopover in the middle of their European vacation, only to fall in love with the country, and decide to shake their lives around and move to Portugal, electing it as their second home. It cannot and it is not a coincidence, and thousands more will continue to choose Portugal in the future if the data is anything to go by. Why not you?
Moving to Portugal brings the best of two worlds: it lets you settle down in Portugal, all the while setting you up on the path to getting an EU Passport - the perfect Plan B or retirement plan option, and the ability to live anywhere else in the EU. No more worrying about the 90-day rule if you are a Portuguese citizen.
Still on the fence? Do not worry. Portugal Homes has a team of experts always ready to help you along the whole relocation journey. From presenting the best investment options to helping with the application process, we will even find the perfect property that will make you feel home right away.
We can proudly say that we have 100% success rate alongside our clients, including many US Citizens, and we are ready to help you find the safety, quality of life and stability you are looking for. Just reach out and let us start this journey together.
Read more:
Portugal Golden Visa and Dual Citizenship for Americans
Living in Portugal as an American
Healthcare System in Portugal: A Key Benefit for Expats and Foreigners
