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Portugal is stunningly beautiful, one of the cheapest countries in Europe (excluding housing prices), and famously welcoming to immigrants. You won’t have to hear questions like “Why are they here?” nor endure long, judgmental stares.
All of this makes the land of port wine one of the most attractive destinations for relocation—no wonder thousands of people continuously flock here, swapping their homelands for this little paradise.
But here’s the truth: just a few months after the move, people start to notice Portugal has its fair share of downsides too. Let me share the top complaints from those who’ve already taken the leap to live among azulejos and breathtaking beaches.
1: Cold Apartments
Sunny Portugal has no concept of central heating. If you’re lucky, you might find yourself in a modern home with decent windows that don’t let in drafts, gas heating, or even a fireplace for cozy nights.
If you’re unlucky, though, you’ll get to experience winter in a beautiful but old house, where you’ll need to seal window gaps and door frames to block the wind and warm yourself with an electric blanket—only to be hit with a massive electricity bill later.
Deciding whether to buy an apartment in Portugal feels like Hamlet’s “To be or not to be?” dilemma. On one hand, it’s warmer in winter. On the other, there’s nowhere to hide from the heat in summer, especially if there’s no air conditioning. And summers here last half the year.
Another problem with Portuguese homes is the humidity, so investing in a dehumidifier might save you from unwanted mold.
2: “Tomorrow Syndrome”
The Portuguese, like residents of other sunny coastal nations, suffer from a peculiar condition known locally as “amanhã” (tomorrow). Essentially, amanhã means procrastination—putting off everything, even things that could and should be done today.
This cultural quirk causes issues like delayed deliveries, an inability to run a normal business (because deadlines are often ignored), and the occasional nervous breakdown if you don’t adapt to this local trait.
3: Bureaucratic Nightmares
Amanhã spares no one—not even government offices. It’s nearly impossible to get a clear answer on when you’ll receive required documents. Municipalities in different areas might even request completely different paperwork for the same task, invalidate existing certificates, or declare valid documents as invalid.
To avoid battling bureaucracy alone, many expats hire lawyers to handle the headache.
On the bright side, most people in Portugal speak some English and are happy to communicate in it.
However, don’t forget to pay even the smallest bills, like tolls. Missing a €1.50 payment could result in a €2,000 fine down the road.
4: A Dead-End for Ambitious Careers
Nepotism is common in Portugal. Top positions are often reserved for insiders, so don’t expect to climb the career ladder here—unless you marry into a well-connected family, of course.
Speaking of money, salaries in Portugal are low. Even in IT, earning €1,500 a month is considered good, whereas the same job in Germany might fetch €3,500. Taxes are also high.
5: The Ocean Is Not the Sea
Portugal isn’t Italy or Turkey. Here, instead of the Mediterranean, you have the Atlantic Ocean, and while the beaches are breathtakingly beautiful, they’re often rocky, with high waves and constant winds.
Swimming can be challenging, and sometimes it feels downright dangerous to let a child near the water.
That said, Portugal is fantastic for surfing. Of course, in most parts of Europe, surfing is not a common sport because we simply don’t have the conditions to learn it.
6: A Strange-Sounding Language
They say the best way to sound Portuguese is to speak while you have a mild cold and a runny nose (which, by the way, could be caused by the local wind). Otherwise, it takes considerable effort to imitate the sounds of the local accent.
Have you ever been to Portugal? How did you like it? Would you consider living in a country like this?
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