Expat shares why moving to Portugal has become 'extremely difficult' - 'it's very competitive'

Expat in Portugal Linda spoke on YouTube about the rising cost of living in Lisbon and Portugal, which is making it "extremely difficult" for people to move there.

She said: "Lisbon is a little bit cheaper than other Western European cities, but the cost of rents has risen since about 2020 to the point where it is pricing locals out of the market and it is making finding an apartment for an expat very competitive.

"Anything to do with residency as well as setting up utilities or even a bank account can take a while. I am still waiting for an appointment to get my residency renewed and I am a little concerned."

There is a safety issue when commuting around Lisbon with the number of hills and its cobbled streets called calçada.

The expat noted: "It is beautiful and a lot of the calçada have decorative details in them, but I think they are quite dangerous.

"Often times they are quite even. I've made it a rule to constantly look at the ground so that I don't hurt myself."

People need to make sure they stay safe on the streets of Lisbon, as "there is a lot of pickpocketing, especially in tourist areas".

Linda said: "It usually happens on the trams, the metros or crowded areas. There are also scams targeting tourists and new expats, so you need to be aware of your surroundings and a little bit cautious.

"For the past several years, Lisbon and other cities in Portugal have become quite the tourist destination. This [has caused] overcrowding and it can be quite crowded downtown, especially in the summertime."

With all the tourists and expats in the area, the locals appreciate those who make the effort to try and speak some Portuguese.

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Linda explained: "Many people in Lisbon speak some English but it is critical to know some Portuguese when dealing with local shops and the older generation who may not know any English."

One thing the expat particularly dislikes is people not picking up after their dogs.

She said: "This is not just a con for Lisbon but all of Portugal. I have been to several towns and cities in this country, and they do not pick up and look after their dogs. It's a matter of cleanliness and stopping the spread of disease."

Another pair of expats shared the problems that are putting people off moving to Italy.