International Living Community

Hi Wilma,

Thanks for reaching out with your question. Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe, which, along with its great climate, makes it a popular expat destination.

Accommodation, which will arguably be the greatest cost for most expats, varies around the country, but is generally reasonable.

In the capital, Lisbon, you can find rentals for around $650 a month for a simple one bedroom in the central neighborhoods of Chiado, and the Baixa. You can get more comfortable one-two bed apartments in these neighborhoods starting at around $1,000 a month. This is still a real bargain, relative to the cost in some other European capital cities.

In the south, the Algarve is a particularly popular destination for expats and tourists alike, so there you can expect to pay significantly higher rates.

Basic utilities, such as electricity, heating and water for a mid-priced apartment can come out at about $80 a month. Depending on where you are, you may need to pay additionally for more heating during the admittedly mild winter, or more likely, for air-conditioning during the hot summer.

The cost of food is also low in Portugal. Many cities and towns enjoy an assortment of impressive local markets boasting a wide variety of fresh local meat and produce. Many of these markets will stock excellent, locally produced wine and olive oil, reducing the cost of typically expensive items. A couple could pay a grocery bill starting from $200 a month but could be more, depending on personal choices.

Dining in restaurants doesn’t need to break the bank either; lunch specials cost only about $9-$12 for a full sit-down meal. You can get a dinner for two, with wine, for around $30 in many places.

Healthcare is also a mere fraction of what you could expect to pay in the U.S. A visit to the doctor, for example, through public services costs as little as $5, and even going to a private service will only set you back around $50. Similarly, most medications are going to be significantly cheaper in Portugal than the United States.

As reasonable budget for a couple living in most suburban areas of the country would be around $2,500 per month, housing included.

Get a more detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Portugal on our newly revamped website.

Hi Sasha,

Considered the oldest city in Portugal, Braga is located in the north, about 20 miles east of the wind-surfing destination of Esposende.

Like so many cities in Portugal, Braga’s history was influenced by Roman occupation, and the city’s architecture and landscape vividly recall those ancient days. The magnificent Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, a sacred pilgrimage site, sits perched on a hill and is accessed by a spectacular staircase or the world’s oldest water-powered funicular.

The population of almost 200,000 is primarily Portuguese, but there’s a sprinkling of residents from Brazil, Africa, China, and Eastern European countries. The University of Minho adds diversity to the populace as well, with Erasmus students coming from all over Europe and the Far East.

That youthful influence gives a lift to an otherwise very traditional city, and many of the younger locals speak passable English. This, and the fact that many shopkeepers and restaurant owners cater to tourists, makes Braga an easy spot for expats to adopt as their own.

Braga’s climate is moderate. In summer, temperatures average around 69 F, while in winter that falls to around 47 F. December is the wettest month, with rainfall of about seven inches—similar to nearby Porto’s.

For all its richness, life in Braga is reasonably affordable. A couple can rent a two-bedroom apartment, enjoy the city’s youthful vibe, and live nicely for $2,200 per month or $26,000 a year.

Read more about Braga in the in-depth exploration of Portugal in your monthly International Living, here.

Hi Franklin,

Congratulations on your choice of Porto as a potential overseas destination. I hope you’re having fun on your exploratory trip.

With so much to do in the city, it’s a safe bet. Porto has something for everyone—from touring the local football stadium to handmade azulejo tile workshops; from visiting the soaring Cathedral to finding the perfect brunch spot on Rua de Cedofeita, Portugal’s “second city” is a delight.

Due to its history and ongoing international business presence, Porto has a welcoming attitude toward expats. So you shouldn’t have much trouble finding some expats in the city.

There are several international organizations in the city, for example, InterNations Porto, that hold expat events specifically designed to connect people from all over the world who have relocated to the city.

Another fantastic resource you shouldn’t overlook is Facebook. There are plenty of expat Facebook groups in the city, and many of the people you’ll find there are happy to offer advice, answer questions, and even get together with new or potential members of the Porto expat community.

Many of these groups are private, but simply requesting to join and explaining why (usually through a series of questions in the request process) is enough to get you in. Closed groups merely prevent the expats involved being spammed by businesses, and shouldn’t be interpreted as a desire to keep people out.

You should look into Porto Expats, Porto Internationals, and Porto Internationals: Expats & Locals.

Best of luck with your visit!

This depends a lot on the part of Costa Rica you wish to spend time in.

Recently, the Costa Rican Accessible Tourism Network has been working on environmental and social responsibility projects related to making the country more accessible. But some places are seeing more impact from this than others.

In San José, the capital, city buses are wheelchair-accessible, and most taxis can put a folding wheelchair in their trunk. The national airline, Sansa, can take passengers using a folding wheelchair; however, they require everyone to be able to board and deplane by themselves.

Roads and sidewalks in other parts of the country could prove challenging, as many are in poor repair.

Some expats laud Tamarindo as a good place for people with mobility issues and seniors because of its easy access to the beach and town, plus the prevalence of sidewalks. Its central location is great for seniors, however, in my opinion, there are not many sidewalks that are wheelchair friendly.

Speaking of beaches, the first beach that was made accessible in Jan 2021 was Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste. This beach has a 52-meter retractable walkway to the sea, a couple of amphibious chairs, and other facilities.

In June 2022, Playa Herradura, just north of Jacó, became the13th accessible beach in Costa Rica. So you can see that there has been a recent push to expand access even though there is still work to be done.

In general, I would suggest staying closer to San José, perhaps somewhere in the Central Valley.

One thing is for sure: it is easier to get around with disabilities in the US and Europe than in Costa Rica. I would contact the hotels and activities in the area I plan to visit to confirm accessibility before booking a trip.

Options to hire personal caregivers in Costa Rica are plentiful. And I have had some friends hire live-in help for their parents. The most important thing to consider is hiring from a reputable source to verify certificates and get recommendations.

You can find the list of minimum salary amounts in Costa Rica here. A personal home caregiver in the Central Valley has a monthly salary of about $700, much lower than U.S. prices.

I hope this has been of some help! You can get much more detail about life in Costa Rica in our Escape to Costa Rica guidebook.

Hi Matt,

No immunizations are required when entering Costa Rica from the US or Canada. However, there are some recommended.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the following recommendations, classed as “routine vaccines”:

Chickenpox (Varicella) Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Flu (influenza) Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Polio Shingles

Personally, I don’t get the flu vaccine, and having received the others when I was young don’t need to worry about those.

Other recommended vaccines by the CDC are:

COVID-19 Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Malaria Measles Rabies Typhoid Yellow Fever

I got a couple of Covid-19 shots, but I am not continuing with them; the only other two I have gotten are Hepatitis A and B. I don’t know anyone who has ever taken Malaria medicine before traveling to Costa Rica.

However, if you plan to spend time in very rural parts of the country, you may want to play it safe and get everything. Also, if you plan to travel to other Latin American countries from Costa Rica, be aware that some vaccines such as yellow fever and typhoid may be required.

For everything else you need to know about moving to Costa Rica, check out the dedicated page on our newly redesigned website.