Looking for American Expats in Portugal?

Thinking about moving to Portugal as an American? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what an American expats in Portugal wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• The weather and sunshine win people over. Sun and clean air top the list — 82% of expats in Portugal rate the climate and weather positively (vs. 58% globally) and 85% rate air quality positively.

• It feels safe and welcoming. Portugal earns one of the survey's highest safety scores (94%), with 79% rating locals as friendly and 76% feeling welcome.

• Your money goes further. 61% of expats in Portugal rate the general cost of living positively, far above the global average of 39%.

• The pace of life is a relief. A calmer, more balanced lifestyle draws praise, and 89% say it's easy to get around on foot or by bike.

• Bureaucracy is the biggest gripe by far. Red tape and outdated services dominate the answers, and just 20% of expats in Portugal find it easy to deal with local authorities (vs. 38% globally).

• The language takes work. Only 24% say Portuguese is easy to learn, which slows down daily admin.

• Jobs and pay are thin. Just 19% rate the local job market positively and 29% say the move improved their career prospects (vs. 55% globally).

• Winters are colder than expected. Damp weather and poorly insulated homes catch many Americans by surprise outside the summer months.

For Americans, Portugal delivers sun, safety, and a slower, friendlier life at a price that's easier on the wallet than home. The trade-offs are bureaucratic and practical: red tape, a new language, thin job prospects, and chilly winters. For lifestyle over career, few places score better.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys for expats — Expat Insider — where we ask people living around the world about every aspect of expat life. We’ve rounded up key facts about the typical American expat: what motivated them to move to a new country, what they enjoy about life abroad, as well as what they struggle with the most.

Of course, expat living in Portugal is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow Americans is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the Portuguese way of life and mentality. InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other Americans in Portugal, residing in Lisbon, Porto, Faro and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of Americans in Lisbon or Americans in Porto.

• Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from the United States of America in Portugal.
• Obtain and share insider tips in our Portugal Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get stuffed turkey in Porto.
• Search the InterNations Places database for Portugal to get information on institutions from your home country, including the American embassy.

From the Algarve to the Serra da Estrela mountain range, the Douro Valley, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly American expats in Portugal.

Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in Portugal. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional Portuguese cozido à Portuguesa, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Lisbon’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see the castles of Guimarães, the birthplace of the nation as well as other beautiful landmarks in Portugal.

Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from the United States of America and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Hello from our Americans living in Portugal!