Thousands of Britons every year opt for a holiday house in Spain, where they can bask in the sun and eat well, all at a reasonable price – we, however, think you should consider its next-door neighbour instead: Portugal.
Why Portugal?
1: Cost of living and property prices
With a combination of beautiful sandy beaches, a mountainous countryside and – last but not least – world-class golf courses, Portugal never fails to steal tourists’ hearts. It is also a lot cheaper than Spain, France or Italy, both in terms of cost of living (among the cheapest in the EU) and in terms of property prices. Although certain regions, such as Lisbon and The Algarve, are a lot more expensive due to their popularity, less developed areas, particularly in the inland, offer some great bargains. The rural Alentejo, south of Lisbon, is perfect if you’re looking for some peace and tranquillity – despite its beautiful hills and coastline, it attracts fewer tourists than The Algarve, and you can easily get a villa there with a budget of €30,000. Portugal’s transparent tax rules will make buying that holiday house you’ve always dreamed of even easier.
2: Climate and food
With around 300 days of sunshine a year, Lisbon is Europe’s sunniest capital city – hard to beat that, and hard to resist if you’ve spent your year in rainy England. The hot summers are refreshed by the Atlantic breeze, and you can always enjoy a breath-taking sunset on its west-facing beaches. Portuguese food is also hard to resist: fish, olives, cheese, wine, and the deliciously sweet pastel de nata to finish off the meal. No wonder Lisbon is one of the top 42 cities in the world in terms of quality of life.
3: Accessibility
Portugal’s geographical location makes it easily accessible from all over the world. The international airports of Lisbon, Porto and Faro connect it to all major cities, meaning you can jump on a last-minute plane and be there in just two and a half hours. Its rail network is also incredibly efficient and can take you on a journey throughout the country, to discover its beauties north to south.
Before You Buy…
Before you buy, make sure you take a couple of factors into consideration. Firstly, ask yourself not only what your current needs are, but what your future needs will be, specifically if you’re planning on a long-term investment. Before you let the economical convenience persuade you, think well about the location, what services you’ll have available and whether there are any expat communities in the area that you could join to make you feel a little more at home, even on a holiday.
Be careful in your choice of an estate agent, especially if you’re buying in a touristy area. Make sure they are registered and licensed, and be aware that there is no way to avoid estate agency fees, as you can’t arrange a sale directly with the owner.
Lastly, make sure to find an English-speaking lawyer (advocado) that will help you translate and understand all legal documents – it’s crucial that you know exactly what you’re agreeing to, if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises.
If you decide to go for it, do check out our International Moves services – we can make moving to your new holiday house easy and stress-free.
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