It‘s only at the border region. Right now there are mass evacuations at the border, but daily life in the popular spots is not affected. The conflict is years old, but the current escalation is the biggest in a while. I don’t think anything will spill over to places like Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Phuket.
You have an app to help with visas!!!??? You didn’t tell me, I had no idea. Seriously Benjamin, you’re far too humble (a good thing 🤗) I’m adding your app to my class resources for students!!!
A nice gesture would be to learn Esperanto. That way, you're not forcing your native language (English) on others. They always have the option of speaking Esperanto with you instead, and you have the option of visiting their local Esperanto clubs to experience their culture directly on their own terms.
absolutely, a little local language can go a long way, and shows respect and appreciation of the local culture. i‘m doing the same in Thailand right now
800€ for one bedroom apartment in central Lisbon? Good luck with that. Rooms in shared apartments are being rented by 500/600€.
800€ barely gives you access to a old studio which last renovation is lost in time.
A modern one bedroom apartment without furniture is now being rented by 1350€ (not in the city center) + 200€ in expenses. With furniture + expenses cost 2000€.
I stated "starts" at 800 USD, and when checking Idealista at the time of writing, there are plenty of options in that price range. but a "modern apartment" for 800 USD is not realistic, those are above that range, as you stated.
Yes, but then you give the total amount, which has the 800€. And you must know how to read Idealista (most of the times, you are seeing the apartment that no one want to rent with "Tinder" pictures from 10 years ago) and know very well the area. Mouraria is Central and yet, only poor emigrants wants to live there. Even excellent neighborhoods like Campo de Ourique, has areas where, let's say, you don't want to live.
300€ for supermarkets and casual dinner? A decent meal in downtown start on the 25/30€ mark. Going out to drinks? Your monthly budget ran out in an week.
If an single American, with their love for AC (expensive energy), wants to live in Central Lisbon, a monthly budget of 4000€ is a much more realistic value.
I manage 50 apartments in Lisbon, live in Lisbon. It's the type of local knowledge that no internet research can give you.
Lisbon is very expensive 😩 I agree that it costs at least €4000 a month to live there. Even Porto costs about €3500 a month to live here.
Albania, Greece, Bosnia Herzegovina, Romania, Hungary, Georgia, Turkey on the other hand… well you know @Benjamin. You’ve been to all of those places I suspect. 🥰🤗🥰
If it helps you, prices peaked at the end of last year and we are seeing a decline in March/April. At the moment, we are seeing an average decline in the city center of 8% in terms of daily tourist value.
Whether this is just a temporary drop or a trend, remains to be seen.
However, the American expat market is very specific and they will be the last to feel the price drops (who told them to always say loudly that everything is so cheap?). In just a few years, they have already gained a reputation for being very complicated. Good for buying propertys but complicated for renting.
Portugal is clearly losing momentum to other destinations.
Thanks Paulo, it's very helpful to get these insights from people on the ground! I will def keep this in mind! Are you staying in Lisbon or are you eying other cities / countries at the moment?
Portugal is a hot mess right now - I suggest you read Portugal Weekly. Not a place you want to move to anymore! It’s not the paradise you make it out to be.
Thank you for your post! Dubai has been on my radar for the past few months due to the tax incentives but it seems to lack cultural experience like museums, theater, etc. also historic architecture which is my jam. Have you written a post about what it’s like to actually live there? (I’ll peruse) but If not, that’d be interesting to read. 😃
Oh and for #3 in Portugal the D7 requires proof of just $1000 a month and you can legally work on the D7. Sorry to blow up your comments!!
you can always blow up my comments, at any time ;)))
YAYAYYYY
& Australia 😊
also a good option, but not as easy to get residency - but love that place!
Time zones can be a real issue for a lot of remote workers. For that reason, many people are focused on other countries within the Americas.
Yes, makes sense. My US friends who work from Thailand got used to it, they are night owls. But for many, it's a challenge.
Oh good, Belize is still a secret. 😎
hehehe 😉
Do you know how the war with Cambodia is affecting Thailand?
It‘s only at the border region. Right now there are mass evacuations at the border, but daily life in the popular spots is not affected. The conflict is years old, but the current escalation is the biggest in a while. I don’t think anything will spill over to places like Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Phuket.
You have an app to help with visas!!!??? You didn’t tell me, I had no idea. Seriously Benjamin, you’re far too humble (a good thing 🤗) I’m adding your app to my class resources for students!!!
Just an MVP so far, but it will become even better. Thanks Kimberly ;)))
We were in the process of going to Portugal when the Golden Visa was discontinued and the NHR was in flux. Can you point me to info about NHR 2.0?
Sure thing! The official name is: IFICI – Tax Incentive for Scientific Research & Innovation.
Included:
- 20 % flat tax on Portuguese salary or self‑employment income
- Exemption (with progression) on most foreign‑source income
- Runs for 10 years once you become a tax resident
- Open only to “high‑value” R&D / innovation roles and a few export‑oriented companies
- Foreign pensions are now taxable, so retirees don’t get the old break
This article sums it up well: https://kpmg.com/xx/en/our-insights/gms-flash-alert/flash-alert-2025-044.html
Hi Jessica. Look into the D7 visa if you’re not already. NHR 2.0 seems to focus on people who have specific jobs.
A nice gesture would be to learn Esperanto. That way, you're not forcing your native language (English) on others. They always have the option of speaking Esperanto with you instead, and you have the option of visiting their local Esperanto clubs to experience their culture directly on their own terms.
absolutely, a little local language can go a long way, and shows respect and appreciation of the local culture. i‘m doing the same in Thailand right now
O, the irony. No immigrants to the USA but as usual Americans can escape to countries where they are not wanted😂😂😂😂
To be fair, I highly doubt that many Americans trying to leave right now are in favor of the current immigration policies of the US.
Irony isn’t fair😂😂😂😂
No worries, half return in less than 4 years. And the Portuguese sentiment, is changing from dislike to outspoken antipathy.
800€ for one bedroom apartment in central Lisbon? Good luck with that. Rooms in shared apartments are being rented by 500/600€.
800€ barely gives you access to a old studio which last renovation is lost in time.
A modern one bedroom apartment without furniture is now being rented by 1350€ (not in the city center) + 200€ in expenses. With furniture + expenses cost 2000€.
I stated "starts" at 800 USD, and when checking Idealista at the time of writing, there are plenty of options in that price range. but a "modern apartment" for 800 USD is not realistic, those are above that range, as you stated.
Yes, but then you give the total amount, which has the 800€. And you must know how to read Idealista (most of the times, you are seeing the apartment that no one want to rent with "Tinder" pictures from 10 years ago) and know very well the area. Mouraria is Central and yet, only poor emigrants wants to live there. Even excellent neighborhoods like Campo de Ourique, has areas where, let's say, you don't want to live.
300€ for supermarkets and casual dinner? A decent meal in downtown start on the 25/30€ mark. Going out to drinks? Your monthly budget ran out in an week.
If an single American, with their love for AC (expensive energy), wants to live in Central Lisbon, a monthly budget of 4000€ is a much more realistic value.
I manage 50 apartments in Lisbon, live in Lisbon. It's the type of local knowledge that no internet research can give you.
Lisbon is very expensive 😩 I agree that it costs at least €4000 a month to live there. Even Porto costs about €3500 a month to live here.
Albania, Greece, Bosnia Herzegovina, Romania, Hungary, Georgia, Turkey on the other hand… well you know @Benjamin. You’ve been to all of those places I suspect. 🥰🤗🥰
Thanks Kimberly and Paulo - I guess I have to update the expenses a little in that case ;)
If it helps you, prices peaked at the end of last year and we are seeing a decline in March/April. At the moment, we are seeing an average decline in the city center of 8% in terms of daily tourist value.
Whether this is just a temporary drop or a trend, remains to be seen.
However, the American expat market is very specific and they will be the last to feel the price drops (who told them to always say loudly that everything is so cheap?). In just a few years, they have already gained a reputation for being very complicated. Good for buying propertys but complicated for renting.
Portugal is clearly losing momentum to other destinations.
Thanks Paulo, it's very helpful to get these insights from people on the ground! I will def keep this in mind! Are you staying in Lisbon or are you eying other cities / countries at the moment?
Portugal is a hot mess right now - I suggest you read Portugal Weekly. Not a place you want to move to anymore! It’s not the paradise you make it out to be.
Also language barriers. In Dubai the most English is spoken.
Thank you for your post! Dubai has been on my radar for the past few months due to the tax incentives but it seems to lack cultural experience like museums, theater, etc. also historic architecture which is my jam. Have you written a post about what it’s like to actually live there? (I’ll peruse) but If not, that’d be interesting to read. 😃