What’s motivating people to move and invest in Portugal?
With excitement building in the run up to the Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars on April 3, 2025, we sat down with organiser Christina Hippisley to understand what’s motivating people to move to Portugal and invest in the country. Christina is General Manager of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK, working with businesses that span both countries, as well as expats, investors and others with a stake in Portugal’s future.
You’ve been organising the Moving to Portugal Shows in London, Dublin and elsewhere for many years. Has demand changed much over that time?
Absolutely. Since our first show in 2017, trends have evolved hugely. Over the years, we’ve observed a significant shift in buyers’ motivations. One example is that many are now seeking first-time residences, with growing interest from younger buyers.
These evolving property expectations mean people are no longer just looking for holiday homes in the Algarve. They have widened their search area, seeking practical, long-term residences in a variety of regions. This shift has impacted budgets, with buyers now looking at a broader price range and different property types, resulting in emerging locations and an interesting diversification of the market.
In volume terms, bookings for our spring 2025 Moving to Portugal Show are currently up 87% compared to our spring 2024 show, reflecting the fact that both financial and lifestyle factors are drawing people to Portugal. We’re also seeing that many want to act fast. There’s definitely a greater sense of urgency about many people’s plans these days.
What is Portugal’s headline offering for families, entrepreneurs and investors considering relocating there?
Different people have different motivations for moving and investing overseas. What we’re seeing with Portugal is that what it’s offering to those keen to leave the UK is incredibly broad. Families, for example, are attracted to the active outdoor lifestyle, weather, food and culture that Portugal offers. Entrepreneurs are excited by Portugal’s digital infrastructure, rapidly growing international business networks and easy connectivity to the UK and elsewhere in the world.
For investors, Portugal provides an abundance of choice in terms of properties, resorts, funds and so on. On the property side, Portugal offers strong capital growth and high rental yields, together with transparent investment structures that make it easy for British investors to engage.
Portugal’s appeal is so broad that it satisfies the very different needs of all of these groups – as well as delighting retirees, who have long seen Portugal as the ideal place to spend their golden years.
Do different areas of the country offer markedly different experiences when it comes to moving to Portugal?
Definitely. We have Lisbon, of course, as the country’s economic and cultural powerhouse. The city is home to Portugal’s strongest real estate market, with high rental demand and excellent opportunities for capital appreciation. House prices there accelerated by 1.9 pp between Q2 2024 and Q3 2024, according to INE’s latest Monthly Statistical Bulletin, while Confidencial Imobiliário reports gross rental yields of 5-6% in districts such as Príncipe Real, Chiado and Avenida da Liberdade.
Professionals, families and expats are all drawn to Lisbon. From superb healthcare and international schooling to the city’s booming startup ecosystem and excellent infrastructure, Lisbon ticks a lot of boxes for a lot of people. Right now, we’re seeing young professionals, digital nomads, families and investors all taking a long, hard look at what Lisbon has to offer.
We’ve also seen interest in Porto and Northern Portugal increase of late, drawn in part by the city’s comparatively lower property prices and excellent growth potential. While homes in Greater Lisbon had a median sales per m2 value of 3,032 during Q3 2024, in the Porto Metropolitan Area, that value stood at just 2,043 per m2. Additionally, Porto airport accounted for 22.4% of total passengers handled by Portuguese airports in January 2025, highlighting the city’s strong potential for short-term rental properties, which is fuelling real estate investors’ interest.
The Algarve, as ever, is seen as the ultimate destination for British retirees. Golf, sunshine, beaches, high-quality amenities and other lifestyle factors are at play here. The relaxed lifestyle, with plenty of opportunities for spending time outdoors (not just on the region’s 40 top-tier golf courses), has long appealed to retirees. We’re also seeing high-net-worth individuals, families and second-home buyers seeking a peaceful coastal lifestyle all look to the Algarve to fulfil their needs.
Interestingly, the Silver Coast is giving the Algarve something of a run for its money these days. The stunning coastline offers all the appeal of the Algarve, but with property prices that are notably more affordable. Idealista points to prices in Nazaré, Peniche and Óbidos as being around 30-40% lower than the Algarve, which makes a compelling case for families looking to relocate, as well as for retirees.
The Silver Coast’s improved infrastructure has a lot to do with this, including its direct train connections to Lisbon, which broadens the area’s appeal to hybrid workers and digital nomads. We’ve seen demand for holiday rentals and second homes in the area boom as a result.
On the luxury side, as well as the Algarve, we’ve noted keen interest from Britons in Comporta and Melides, which are attracting high-net-worth buyers seeking secluded beachfront properties surrounded by nature.
Finally, interest in Portugal’s island regions has also been noteworthy of late. Madeira has seen property prices increase by 10% annually, as British buyers become more aware of the island’s offering in terms of modern healthcare and international schools, as well as its incredible climate and natural landscape. Digital nomads, eco-conscious investors and families looking for sustainable luxury homes are all keen to find out more about Madeira right now, as well as The Azores.
What are the key issues for Britons considering moving to Portugal to be aware of?
Tax, visas, residency and significant regional variation in property prices are all top of mind for those considering the move, along with factors such as education and healthcare for families. We cover all of this and more at the Moving to Portugal Show.
How can people ensure they’re fully informed before making the move?
Research is crucial. Spend time in different parts of Portugal and speak to those who’ve already made the move and/or invested there. And come along to the Moving to Portugal Show to take your research to the next level!
The next Moving to Portugal Show takes place in London on April 3, 2025. The show is free to attend, with tickets available at https://MTP-London2025.eventbrite.co.uk
