International Living Community

Hi Rob, Mention the word Caribbean and most people think of Barbados, Puerto Rico, Antigua… crystal clear waters and white sand beaches. Great for a vacation, but moving there… just too expensive, right? Not necessarily. The Caribbean isn’t restricted to just those few islands. By broadening your horizons, and your perceived idea of “the Caribbean”, you can still find a home at an affordable price. These are places with Caribbean coastlines where you can purchase a house for a lot less money than you’d spend in Barbados, or even the US. Places where the cost of living won’t leave you penniless, and where you have every amenity that you have back home. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of our top five recommendations for Caribbean island living that won’t break the bank… as well as two that just might. You can find it on our newly revamped website, right here: 5 Best Affordable Caribbean Islands to Live On…and 2 to Avoid.

Hi Mark, You are correct. The Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory. Although it has control over its residency procedures, it cannot offer citizenship, since that is a prerogative of the British crown. If I interpret your question correctly, it seems as though you’d like to continue living in the Caymans, but you’d like to acquire a second passport as well. And you’d prefer not to spend too much time in the country that offers that passport to get it. What you’re looking for is called Citizenship by Investment or CBI. This differs from naturalization in that you get immediate citizenship and eligibility for a passport because of an investment in or donation to the country in question. There are usually two avenues: you can either donate a fixed sum to a government fund or charity, or you can invest a minimum amount in a real estate or other economic project. Generally, the real estate investment route is overpriced, and you may find it difficult to liquidate your investment once you’re allowed to do so, which is typically five years after getting citizenship. But making the donation means you won’t see that money again, albeit you will have a second citizenship. Currently, most countries that offer CBI are in the Caribbean basin. They include Dominica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, and Antigua and Barbuda. CBI through these programs ranges from $100,000 in Dominica to over $450,000 in St Lucia. Another island country that offers CBI is Vanuatu, an island in the Pacific Ocean. But I would strongly recommend against that one, because it is widely associated with corruption and doesn’t give you much in the way of visa free travel. In and around Europe, countries that offer CBI or CBI adjacent programs include Turkey, Malta, and Jordan. The Turkish program is becoming more expensive every year and is currently at around $750,000. The Maltese program is similar in price but doesn’t result in immediate citizenship. Plus, it requires lengthy residence for the first two years before you’re eligible for a passport. The advantage is that you are then a citizen of an EU country and can live and work anywhere in the Union. Jordan’s program is also around $750,000, but its passport is also not as widely accepted. Given that you are already living and working in the Caribbean, I’d suggest you have a look at one of the island programs. But do it soon… These countries are under pressure from the European Union to make their programs more expensive and difficult to access, in order to reduce the threat of undesirable people using their passports to get into the European Union. You’ll find breakdowns of the various programs in the book written by my father, former Congressman Bob Bauman: The Passport Book.

Hi Raymond, France has a modern and sophisticated dental system. You will find dentists in practically every town of any size, all of whom are well trained. Basic dental care is efficient and by world standards very affordable, and you will find most dentists speak some English. A basic check-up will cost €25 ($26), the same as a visit to the GP. If you need a basic filling, it will be an additional €18 ($19), but can be much more depending on the complexity of the procedure. An extraction will start from €35 ($37). When it comes to more sophisticated dental work, prices start to go up significantly, with a crown costing from €400 ($427). As with all healthcare in France, you will be given a precise quote for the work before you proceed, which is a legal requirement. You can be reimbursed by the government for dental work, but this only applies to basic procedures and not cosmetic dentistry. As with the doctor, you pay the dentist directly after the consultation, so make sure you have enough cash. Many people get top-up insurance to cover the 20-30% of dental costs not reimbursed by the French government—and to cover procedures like dental implants which don’t have the standard price ceiling that most healthcare services have. Top-up insurance plans start at €38 ($40) a month. Charges can be dramatically different from dentist to dentist. There are additional charges if you require treatment on a public holiday or on a weekend, as well as extra charges for emergency dental treatment. Nonetheless, the prices are generally low compared to those in the U.S. Read more about dental care and healthcare in France in Chapter 8 of Escape to France.

Bonjour from France, Dalila, and thank you for your question. Sanary-sur-Mer is very popular with the French, and other Europeans alike, so consequently has a higher cost of living than other places in Provence. Although that doesn’t mean that it’s out-of-reach, especially considering that housing costs in France tend to be around 34% less than those in the United States. The starting budget for Sanary will be around $2,800 a month for a couple. This will depend largely whether you plan to rent or buy. I would recommend renting, even short-term, before planning to purchase a property. You can find a small, furnished, one-bedroom apartment in the center of town for €890 ($944) per month, and the rates go up from there. I know an American expat couple who moved from Arizona and have decided to rent long-term in Sanary for their retirement. Depending on your budget, this could be a good strategy and also the most cost effective. Apartments and houses to purchase are more expensive than surrounding cities like Toulon, La Seyne-sûr-Mer, and Six-Fours-Les-Plages. A 679-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bath apartment near the port starts at €350,000 ($372,000). Prices go down if you look a bit further away from the center. The nearby beach town of Six-Fours-Les-Plages is only about a 10-minute walk away, and a lot of retirees choose to purchase there, and take the pedestrian pathway to Sanary. If you’d like to buy a home in Sanary-sûr-Mer, a two-bedroom, one-bath will start at around €490,000 ($519,474). For retirees, the town is a very safe bet as far as real estate is concerned, as properties continue to go up in value. Also, you’ll find that you save in other areas. Sanary is very walkable, and you can navigate almost everything on foot—so having a car is optional. You’ll also benefit from France’s low-cost and excellent healthcare system. Lastly, the town has a wealth of activities for retirees right in the city center. Language classes (French, Italian, and Spanish), dance and aerobics lessons, tennis, music, local folklore, and food and wine immersions are all possible at the local community center. You can read another article I wrote about Sanary-sur-Mer on the IL website here.

Hi Natasha, Belize is very protective of its workforce. Any non-Belizean working for a Belizean company from within Belize must possess a Temporary Employment Permit (more commonly known as a “Work Permit”), or they must be a Permanent Resident. Essentially, the government has the mandate to protect jobs a Belizean could do. What does this mean? If you are looking to work in a job that requires specialized training or experience, like a rocket scientist, it should be easy to prove you’re not taking a Belizean’s job. However, if you’re looking to work in a position a Belizean would reasonably be able to train for, like a diving instructor or real estate agent, you’re going to have a hard time getting a work permit. That being said, there are a couple of options available that may make working in Belize a little easier. Consultancy: Build yourself a business working for non-Belizean businesses as a contractor while living in Belize. In this case, Belize is just where you live and work from, and you are not taking a potential job away from a Belizean. Entrepreneurship: Start a business in Belize. You’ll still need a work permit, but a business with a plan that includes the hiring, and training, of Belizeans would get serious consideration. In this case you’re not taking a job away, you’re creating jobs. When it comes down to it, ask yourself, “Would a reasonable person believe that the job I’m looking to take could be accomplished by a Belizean?” If the answer is yes, you will likely struggle to get approval. If the answer is no, or you are creating jobs, approval is very likely. Read more about working in Belize on the dedicated page of our website here.

Hi Jim, Thank you for sending in your question. Here are a few things to consider about renting in Ambergris Caye: Your preferences will drive rental costs. For instance, beach rentals will always be more expensive than “near the beach.” Many expats learn to settle within walking distance or a golf cart ride from a beach they like in order to save a bit on their rent budget. The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) states that anyone in Belize on a tourist visa is considered a tourist, regardless of how long they are staying. This means that if the rental you’re considering is following the rules, a 9% “hotel tax” will be added to your rent each month. That being said, enforcement of this is mostly non-existent, but I wanted to make you aware that some rentals you look at may tack this tax on. If the BTB does start to actively enforce this, you may have this added expense somewhere down the road. Ambergris Caye is the #1 tourist destination in Belize. This means during the high season (Thanksgiving through April), it will be very crowded. It also means that rent and other monthly expenses will be higher than other locations here. If you have not already, I would recommend taking a trip to scout around a bit and make sure you find the perfect place for you and your wife. All that being considered, I believe you will be able to find something within your budget near a beach… but probably not on the beach. Your best bet would be to connect with a real estate agent who knows Ambergris Caye very well. Getting International Living’s Escape to Belize guidebook would be a great step. It has tons of useful information, along with a rolodex of contact information for agents that will be able to help you with more localized knowledge of Ambergris Caye.

Hi John, That really depends on where in Thailand you would like to live, and how integrated with the locals you plan to get. If you’re living in one of the major cities, a popular tourist area, or a known expat community, you can get by with speaking English. However, when you move out of these areas English is not widely spoken, and some Thai language is needed. Learning the language can improve your understanding of the culture, make it easier to communicate within businesses and officials, make new Thai friends, get better prices at markets, keep your brain active and help you find out what is happening in your town by being able to read or communicate with Thais. It’s also respectful, and Thai people appreciate foreigners who try—even if you’re not especially fluent. And that’s understandable, because the Thai language can be quite difficult for English speakers to learn. It’s a tonal language, which means individual syllables have a corresponding tone and may result in different meanings. Most expats learn minimum greetings, polite requests, and thank you. That’s generally enough to get by in expat areas and to show willingness with the locals, given the complexity of the language to Western ears. If you choose to go further than this, identify precisely why you want to learn Thai and to what level. Do you want to be at a beginner level and understand greetings and make polite requests? Are you aiming for advanced, detailed conversation in Thai? Do you want to be able to read and write? Having a clear picture in mind can help you refocus if you lose your mojo. A clear goal will help you choose the right learning methods for you and your budget. Fortunately, there are many resources online and a fantastic range of ways to learn Thai. Initially, I would recommend an online program like ThaiPod 101. This site sometimes offers packages giving full access to their online programs from about $7 per month, and you can upgrade to receive online tuition. The company also has a YouTube channel with lots of free lessons, which you can find here.

Hi Greg, One big benefit to living in Thailand is its excellent, inexpensive healthcare. The quality, particularly in the private system, is as good as what you’ll find in the U.S. or Canada. And prices are low. They’re a third to a half of what you’d pay back home for similar services. In fact, because of the low cost of treatment, most expats do not bother with insurance for outpatient care. Inpatient-only coverage combined with a reasonable deductible can result in affordable monthly premiums for most people. Some expats only purchase accident insurance, which is much cheaper than full health coverage. Others forgo medical insurance altogether and rely on the money saved from living abroad for unforeseen medical emergencies. Expats don’t have access to Thailand’s public health scheme. But they do have access to three healthcare options: local clinics, private hospitals, and public hospitals. Local Clinics Local clinics are set-up for the resident population, but expats are also welcome. All are operated by well qualified and experienced medical practitioners. A consultation with an English- speaking doctor, treatment for any ailments, plus any required medications (which is usually dispensed by a pharmacist on staff at the clinic) typically cost no more than $14 a visit. Private Hospitals Outpatient departments at the major hospitals serve as an alternative to the local clinics. And Thailand has a large network of public and private hospitals. In fact, the country has 51 private hospitals that are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), the gold standard for hospital care. In Bangkok and Chiang Mai’s private hospitals, you can expect a quality equal to standards in the U.S. There are also some very good private facilities in Hua Hin, Udon Thani, Phuket, Pattaya, and Koh Samui where most primary and secondary medical care problems can be dealt with. Public Hospitals Public or government run hospitals are much less expensive than their private counterparts, but they are generally more crowded and sometimes less well-equipped. However, all the medical facilities in the country are staffed by well-trained doctors and nurses who provide excellent care to both expats and locals alike. Read more about healthcare in Thailand on the dedicated page of our website here.

Hi John, There are many veterans living in Panama who receive their payments without trouble. The U.S. Embassy here confirms that, “Veterans Affairs beneficiaries residing in Panama are eligible to enroll in the International Direct Deposit Program” to receive payments via electronic transfer. There is even a local hospital in Panama that will accept VA-FMP, TRICARE or CHAMPVA. Applying for the International Direct Deposit Program should just involve filling out a form and attending an appointment with the Federal Benefits Unit. You can see the process in detail on the U.S. Embassy’s website. For detailed information on veteran-related matters in Panama, visit the Panama Veteran’s Commission website, and contact Panama-based Healthcare Alliance via email. Bear in mind that you may have to spend some additional money to get any medication couriered into Panama. If you plan to move to the Boquete region of Panama, reach out to the Healthcare Alliance person there via email.

Hi Jonas, Whether you’re comparing crime statistics, tourist guides, or travel advisories for the region’s different countries, you’ll find that Panama is one of the safest countries in Latin America. In fact, Panama ranks at number 68 in World Population Review’s “Crime Rate by Country 2023” report—lower than the U.S., which ranks at number 56. So, does it follow that Panama is free from crime? No… I’ve traveled the globe and I’ve never encountered a country that was free from crime or corruption. In every country, there will be some dangerous areas (due to localized organized crime or gang-related activity), but also many safe ones. In Panama it’s generally very easy to tell when a neighborhood is poor and thus certain to have more crime. Most are not areas you would accidentally stumble into. In areas popular with expats, your biggest concern is likely to be petty theft or break-ins. Random violence is practically unheard of here. Panama has a large police force and crimes against tourists or foreigners are seriously dealt with. Home-invasion-style robberies can be violent, but they are rare, especially in communities favored by expats. It’s neither quick nor easy to obtain a firearm permit in Panama, and a long-running moratorium on importation has helped keep gun prevalence relatively low. Gun-related offenses have major consequences in Panama. On occasion, visitors to Panama make the mistake of letting their guard down completely—something they’d never do back home. In any unfamiliar city or town, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and to do what you can to blend in. Ask questions, use your city smarts, and you’ll see just how easy it is to live and travel safely in Panama. Read my complete guide to safety in Panama here.

Hi Barbara, I generally prefer to fly from Panama City to David, then rent a car. But let’s break it down so you can decide what works best for you. By land: It’s an easy drive or bus ride from Panama City to David, which is where you’ll change buses or, if driving, turn off the PanAmerican Highway to head north into the Highlands. It takes at least five hours to get to David from Panama City by land, provided you’re not on a multi-stop bus. I like the midnight express bus from Albrook (Gran Terminal Nacional) to David, as you can go to sleep in Panama City and wake up in David. Buses are usually freezing cold, so bundle up. To buy your ticket, go to Albrook Mall & Transport Terminal, buy a Rapi>Pass ($2.50), then buy your bus ticket. By air: You can fly to David (Enrique Malek Airport) from either of Panama’s two major airports: Tocumen International Airport (PTY), on the eastern edge of Panama City, or The domestic hub at Albrook (Marcos A. Gelabert), on the western edge of Panama City. If you’re flying into the country and want to go straight to Boquete, you’ll probably want to fly from Tocumen on Copa Airlines. These flights tend to be the cheapest with the best baggage allowances. If you choose Albrook, you’ll fly with Air Panama. There are several car rental outfits at the airport in David, I usually go with National because I’ve had good experiences with them in the past. Bear in mind that September can be extremely rainy in Boquete. That said, this is an “El Niño” year, which generally means we get a lot less rain than is customary. You should have some sunny mornings and some showers (and possibly some storms). These are usually easy to plan around, so check your weather apps and avoid the rain… or consider bringing a slicker. And lightweight gum boots, because they’re fun. Note that umbrellas aren’t always super helpful, as Boquete can get very windy. I actually enjoy this time of year in Panama’s mountain regions; it’s never too cold, so with the right gear it’s still fun to get out there and sightsee. Splash away I say!

Hi Joe, Marijuana laws in Spain are complicated. Basically, private use is legal in your own home or on private property. Buying or selling marijuana is illegal and could land you in jail. Medical marijuana falls under the same laws as recreational marijuana. Cultivation in your home is legal, but you can only have two plants that are not in public view. It is legal to buy and sell paraphernalia, seeds, and hemp products. CBD oil is legal (for topical use, not consumption) and widely available. Although you may see people smoking openly on the streets, in the parks and on the beaches, don’t do it! You could be fined and/or sent to jail. The legal way to use cannabis in Spain is to join a private, members-only cannabis club. These clubs are considered private spaces, so you can only enjoy your marijuana socially within the walls of the club. No weed can leave the premises and you cannot bring your own onto the premises. Clubs are not allowed to advertise, so you will have to ask around. Some only allow Spanish citizens. Some require a referral from a current member. You pay a membership fee in cash and select from the products they have available. Some clubs have become sources of medical marijuana. In Cataluña, marijuana use is legal but only within the context of the clubs. Beware of sellers telling you marijuana is legal on the streets of Barcelona. For all the rules, visit this website.

Hi Joanne, Although citizens of EU countries have the right of residence throughout the Union, rules for spousal visas depend on the country you want to live in. As an Irish national, you have the right to live in Spain. You must establish residency there before you can apply for a spousal visa for your husband. That means finding a place to live, opening a bank account, getting a cell phone contract, and other things that tie you to Spain. Once you’ve done that, your husband can come to Spain, and on arrival you would declare that he is a family member of an EU citizen resident in Spain. That will give him a one-year renewable residency permit. Once he’s got that, you can apply for a permanent family reunification visa. This would be quite a bit simpler and less confusing than having him apply for a visa on his own account. If he did that, he would have to make the application from outside Spain, and await the outcome before going there. It’s likely that Spanish authorities would even notice that he has an EU spouse already living in Spain and tell him simply to join you there and apply for a spousal visa as above. For more details on how to establish residency in Spain, consider our Escape to Spain guidebook.

Hi Robert, Citizens of Canada do not need a visa to enter Mexico. You only need two things: The first is your Canadian Passport, which has to have at least six months validity (from your arrival date in Mexico) left on it to cover your maximum 180 day stay in the country. The second is a Mexican tourist card. It’s called an FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) and used to be issued on your flight (if flying into Mexico) before landing. Recently, this has changed and now you must apply online and print the form, which you can get here. The same applies if you’re entering Mexico via a land border. The FMM form is mandatory for all travelers entering Mexico from all other countries, including Canada. It will allow you entry into Mexico and a stay of up to 180 days. The FMM has two sections. Both with identical information: name, nationality, date of birth etc. Fill them both in. One section will be retained at the border crossing or customs, the other section you need to keep. You’ll need this second section to leave Mexico after your stay. Once you get through customs or across the border, keep the second half of the FMM with your passport, so there is no problem when leaving the country at the end of your stay.

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.

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 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!

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 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 Wade, Learning the language of the country you choose to live in is always a good idea and will help greatly with everyday living. Even just knowing enough to understand when the shopkeeper is asking if you would like a bag makes life smoother. That’s not to say you need perfect Portuguese in order to live here. Many Portuguese do speak English, especially in the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto. And for those that don’t, broken Portuguese combined with their broken English will often be enough to get by. It’s a good idea to pick up some basics of the language before you move, and you can always study more in depth once you arrive. A word of warning if using apps like Duolingo: often the Portuguese these apps teach is Brazilian rather than European. That version of the language will be understood, but it’s not the correct version for Portugal. It is almost universally agreed that the “purest” Portuguese is spoken in Coimbra, a riverfront city in the center of the country. Coimbra is Portugal’s former medieval capital and home to the University of Coimbra, the largest university in Portugal and one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world. Its Faculdade de Letras offers summer, annual, and intensive courses (in September and February) in the Portuguese language. The Portuguese government also offers free language classes for immigrants. These are held at local high schools that run in conjunction with the school year. There is a detailed section on learning Portuguese in our Escape to Portugal country guide (recently updated by me).