Where do Expats Live in Portugal?

Portugal has become a hotspot for expats worldwide, offering a blend of beautiful landscapes, vibrant culture, and a welcoming community. But where do expats live in Portugal? This post will explore the top regions and neighbourhoods where expats settle, backed by data on the number of expats by nationality. Let's dive in!

• Where do expats live in Portugal by region?
• Where are expats in Portugal from?
• Where do expats live in Portugal by nationality?
• Where do expats live in Lisbon?
• Where are expats in Lisbon from?
• Where to live in Lisbon?

Data used for figures in this post come straight from the População Estrangeira Residente em Portugal (foreigner population resident in Portugal) from the Servicio de Estrangeros e Fronteras Portal de Estadistica (SEFSTAT) last updated in 2021.

Where do Expats Live in Portugal by Region?

When it comes to settling down in Portugal, expats have diverse preferences. Here are some of the most popular locations for expats in Portugal:

1. Lisbon: 294.7k expats (42.2% of total expats)
2. Faro: 105.1k expats (15% of total expats)
3. Setubal: 66.9k expats (9.6% of total expats)
4. Porto: 55.5k expats (8% of total expats)

For more detailed information on each of these locations, you can check our guide on Best Cities to Live in Portugal.

Where are Expats in Portugal from?

Expats in Lisbon come from diverse backgrounds. The top nationalities of expats in Portugal are:

1. Brazil: 204.7k expats (29.3% of total expats)
2. United Kingdom: 41.9k expats (6% of total expats)
3. Cabo Verde: 34.1k expats (4.9% of total expats)
4. Italy: 30.8k expats (4.4% of total expats)
5. India: 30.2k expats (4.3% of total expats)

Where do Expats Live in Portugal by Nationality?

Where do most British expats in Portugal live?

Most British people in Portugal tend to live in Faro (21k, 49.5%), Lisboa (9k, 21.6%), Leiria (2.4k, 5.8%), Coimbra (2k, 4.8%), or Madeira (1.2k, 2.9%).

Where do most American expats in Portugal live?

Most Americans in Portugal tend to live in Lisboa (45%), Faro (14%), Porto (10%), Leiria (5.7%), or Azores (5.5%).

Where do most Asian expats in Portugal live?

Most Asian expats in Portugal tend to live in Lisboa (47.5k, 50.1%), Faro (10.8k, 11.4%), Beja (8.5k, 9%), Setubal (7.4k, 7.8%), or Porto (5k, 5%). The top Asian expats nationalities living in Portugal are from India, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

Where do Expats Live in Lisbon?

Lisbon is a magnet for expats, offering various boroughs that cater to different lifestyles:

1. Lisbon: 108.8k expats
2. Sintra: 42.5k expats
3. Cascais: 34.1k expats
4. Amadora, Loures, and Oeiras: 20k-24k expacts (each)

Where are Expats in Lisbon from?

Expats in Lisbon come from diverse backgrounds. The top nationalities of expats in Lisbon, Portugal are:

1. Brazil: 77.1k expats
2. Cabo Verde: 21.1k expats
3. Guinea Bisau: 14.8k expats
4. Angola: 14.6k expats
5. Italy: 14k expats

Where to Live in Lisbon?

• For families with children Belém and Parque das Nações would be great options.
• For party and social people, Baixa-Chiado and Alfama.
• For young people and students, Roma, Areeiro, or Alameda will fit perfectly.

For more detailed information on each of these locations, you can check our guide on Best Places to Live in Lisbon.

What is the cost of living in Lisbon?

Here is a breakdown of the cost of living as an expat in Lisbon, Portugal:

• Accomodation (room): 500€
• Bills (water, gas, internet, etc.): 40-50€
• Groceries: 200€
• Transport: 30-40€
• Activities (2 or 3 per week - drinks, eating out, etc.): 180€
• Subscriptions (Netflix, gym, etc.): 50€

Total = ~1,000€ per month (approx.)

For a more detailed information on this matter please check the blog post below:

What is the Cost of Living in Lisbon Portugal in 2024 for an Expat?

Learn how much it cost to live in Lisbon, Portugal. Find out the cost of living in Lisbon for housing, groceries, transport, activites, and more!

MapScratched Travel BlogsJesus E. Roman

What jobs are in demand in Portugal?

In Portugal, the most demanding industries and jobs include:

• Renewable Energy, with roles like Renewable Energy Consultant and Wind Turbine Technician;
• Business Support Centres, featuring positions such as Customer Service Representative and Operations Manager;
• Sales, which encompasses Sales Executive and Account Manager;
• Healthcare, including Registered Nurse and Medical Doctor;
• IT, with roles like Software Developer and Cybersecurity Analyst;
• and Construction, involving Civil Engineer and Site Supervisor.

Here is a quick summary of the job market in Portugal in 2024:

• Highest paying jobs in Portugal are Directors and Officers, Ecommerce Managers, IT Specialists, and Digital Marketers.
• North Portugal, Lisbon, and Portugal Centre region are the most employed with highest employment growth areas in Portugal.
• The annual net average salary in Portugal for a single person is 16,943EUR.
• The minimum monthly wage in Portugal stands at 956.67EUR per month.

For more details please check:

Portugal Job Market 2024 Review: Jobs, Salaries and More

Get the latest insights on the Portugal Job Market in 2024. Explore Portugal job statistics, GDP growth, unemployment rates, average and minimum wages, regional analyses, and top-paying sectors.

MapScratched Travel BlogsJesus E. Roman

Other relevant blogs:

• Best Cities to Live in Portugal for Digital Nomads
• Cost of Living in Lisbon