You have read the lists. Lisbon for work, the Algarve for the sun and the British community, Porto for value, and a “hidden gem” somewhere in between. Every list ends the same way: it is a matter of taste.
It partly is. But where you choose to live in Portugal also changes how your move works: where your belongings arrive, how long delivery takes, and which paperwork has to be sorted first. This guide compares the main places UK movers settle, then covers the practical side most area guides leave out.
Quick answer: Lisbon and Cascais suit careers and international schools but cost more. Porto is smaller and generally more affordable. The Algarve has the longest-established British community and is the traditional retirement choice. The Silver Coast sits between Lisbon and Porto and is usually cheaper than the Algarve. Coimbra and Braga offer a university-town and northern feel at lower cost. Whichever you choose, one document, the Certificado de Bagagem, must be arranged before your belongings leave the UK.
Which part of Portugal suits which kind of mover?
| Area | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | Careers, remote workers, international schools | Higher housing costs; busy, tourist-heavy centre |
| Cascais and the western coast | Coastal living within reach of Lisbon; established UK community | Commuter-town pricing |
| Porto | Younger movers, remote workers, better value than Lisbon | Cooler weather than the south |
| The Algarve | Retirees, second-home owners, English widely spoken | A strongly seasonal rhythm; quieter off-season |
| The Silver Coast | Budget-conscious movers wanting a coastal life | Fewer services in smaller towns |
| Coimbra and Braga | University-town character (Coimbra); lower-cost northern living (Braga) | Smaller international communities |
This is a starting point, not a verdict. Prices vary a great deal by street and season, and the sources we checked do not agree on figures, so we have not printed any here.
Lisbon: work, schools and a large international community
Lisbon is the capital and the largest city, popular with professionals, remote workers and retirees. It has strong international school provision and a large English-speaking community, particularly in Cascais and the western suburbs. The trade-off is cost: housing is more expensive than in most of the country, and the centre is busy with visitors. If you are moving with children or for work, it is the default starting point.
Cascais and the western coast: sea air within reach of the city
Cascais works as a coastal commuter town for Lisbon and has a well-established UK expat community. It suits people who want the sea and a settled international community without living in the capital. You are paying for that convenience, so it is worth comparing with the Silver Coast if budget matters.
Porto: smaller, more compact, better value
Porto is smaller and more compact than Lisbon, and generally more affordable, with a growing reputation among younger movers and remote workers. It has riverside and coastal living close to the centre. The climate is cooler than the south, and it has a more traditional feel than Lisbon.
The Algarve: the long-standing British favourite
Faro and the surrounding towns have long been the favourite for UK retirees and second-home owners. There is an extensive British community, English is widely spoken in many areas, and life runs to a strong seasonal rhythm. If you are retiring and want an easy first year, it is the most familiar option. If you want a year-round working town, the quieter winter months are worth experiencing before you commit.
The Silver Coast: the lower-cost coastal alternative
Between Lisbon and Porto, the Silver Coast is regularly described as a more affordable coastal option than the Algarve. It suits people who want space and a calmer pace, and who are comfortable with fewer services in smaller towns.
Coimbra, Braga and the interior
Coimbra is a university town with its own character. Braga offers northern Portugal at a lower cost of living than Porto. More broadly, the interior is generally less expensive than the coast, but with fewer international services close by, so check hospital access and public transport before you fall for a house.
Planning A Move To Portugal?
Your move manager can give you a realistic timeline and price for your chosen area, and tell you when the Certificado de Bagagem needs to be applied for. That conversation starts in your first call.
What has to be arranged before your belongings leave the UK?
Before Brexit, moving household goods from the UK to Portugal was a free-movement matter with little customs involvement. It is not any more. The UK is treated as a non-EU country, and your belongings go through Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief, the customs process that lets you bring used household goods into Portugal duty-free. Broadly, you need to:
- have had your normal home in the UK for at least 12 months before moving
- have owned and used the goods for at least 6 months
- use them for personal or household purposes, not commercial ones
- bring them into Portugal within 12 months of establishing residence (they can arrive in more than one load)
The document that catches people out is the Certificado de Bagagem. It is issued by the Portuguese Consulate in the UK, confirms that your items are used and have been in your possession for more than six months, and has to be obtained before your belongings leave the UK. It cannot be requested once they are already in transit. If it is late, your goods can sit at customs while the paperwork catches up.
Your other documents include your passport with a certified copy showing your foreign residence, a detailed inventory in Portuguese, the original Bill of Lading (the shipping contract and receipt) or Air Waybill, proof of your residence permit application, and a Residence Certificate (Atestado de Residencia) showing your exact arrival date. That last one comes from the local parish council (Junta de Freguesia) once you have an address. So choosing where to live is not just a lifestyle decision: without a Portuguese address you cannot complete that part of the paperwork. Renting first and settling on a permanent home later is a common way to keep this simple.
Our guide on explains the general order for any destination.
How does where you live change your move?
- Arrival. UK moves typically arrive via Lisbon or Porto, with onward delivery arranged by your in-country partner once customs clearance and the ToR paperwork are processed.
- Timing. Groupage (a shared load) typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, a full dedicated load 1 to 3 weeks, and door-to-door road freight 1 to 4 weeks, with Lisbon and Porto usually at the faster end. Other regions can take longer.
- Access. Older city-centre streets and smaller lifts can limit vehicle access. Ask your move manager to check your address before delivery day.
- Cost. Gerson Moving Services’ published guide prices are from approx. £725 for a few boxes, approx. £2,000 to £2,100 for groupage or part-load, and approx. £3,300 for a full house move. A survey gives you an exact figure.
- Your car. Portugal drives on the right. A UK right-hand-drive car is legal there, but overtaking visibility is worse, so it is a choice to make with that trade-off in mind. Our covers this properly.
What about visas and residency?
UK citizens are no longer covered by EU free movement rules, so they can visit Portugal without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you plan to stay longer, you will generally need the appropriate visa and/or residence permit, depending on the purpose and length of your stay.
Portugal has different immigration routes for people moving for reasons such as employment, retirement or living from their own income, remote work, self-employment or family reunification, with requirements varying according to the route.
Immigration rules and application requirements can change, so check the current requirements with the Portuguese consulate and AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) before committing to a move date. Do not rely on forums or blogs for figures such as income thresholds or other eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best place to live in Portugal for UK expats?
There is no single best place. Lisbon and Cascais suit careers and international schools, Porto suits value-seekers and remote workers, the Algarve suits retirees who want an established British community, and the Silver Coast is a lower-cost coastal alternative. The right choice depends on your work, budget, family and how much you value being near other English speakers.
Is it cheaper to live in Porto or Lisbon?
Porto is generally more affordable than Lisbon. Housing is the main difference. Prices vary by neighbourhood and season, so compare specific streets rather than cities.
Where do most British expats live in Portugal?
The Algarve has the longest-established British community, and Cascais and the western suburbs of Lisbon also have a large UK expat presence. Many UK movers choose these areas for the familiarity of English-speaking services and neighbours.
Do I need a visa to move to Portugal from the UK?
Generally yes, if you plan to stay longer than 90 days in any 180. The exact route depends on why you are moving, and rules change, so check with the Portuguese consulate and the official immigration agency before you set a date.
What is the Certificado de Bagagem?
A certificate issued by the Portuguese Consulate in the UK confirming that your household items are used and have been in your possession for more than six months. It has to be obtained before your belongings leave the UK, and it is needed for duty-free import under Transfer of Residence relief.
How long does it take to ship belongings from the UK to Portugal?
Groupage typically takes 2 to 4 weeks and a full dedicated load 1 to 3 weeks. Door-to-door road freight is typically 1 to 4 weeks, with Lisbon and Porto usually faster. Delays are more often about paperwork readiness than the journey itself.
