Portugal: Home to Happy Expats

Portugal is 3rd in Quality of Life according to the InterNations’ Expat Insider 2021. Portugal was also considered the 5th in the overall index, being the only European nation to be ranked in the top 10.

Portugal is home to some of the happiest expats worldwide: 84% are happy with their life in general, compared to a global average of 75%. They enjoy a high quality of life, ranking Portugal 3rd out of 59 destinations in this index. Expats particularly appreciate the local leisure options (87% positive replies vs. 72% globally) and the sunny climate and weather (90% vs. 66% globally). Nearly four in five (79%) are also happy with their own socializing and leisure activities (vs. 67% globally). A further 96% describe the country as peaceful (vs. 80% globally), and 97% feel safe there (vs. 84% globally). "It’s a safe and peaceful place,” a British expat confirms. "It’s very beautiful with great food, music, culture, and scenery.”

While Portugal narrowly misses out on a top 10 spot in the Quality of the Environment subcategory (11th), the response regarding Health & Well-Being (21st), Travel & Transportation (22nd), and Digital Life (24th) is not quite as enthusiastic. However, most results in these subcategories are still better than average: for example, about three in four expats (73%) are satisfied with the affordability of healthcare in Portugal (vs. 61% globally), 86% are happy with the travel opportunities (vs. 84% worldwide), and 93% agree it is easy to get a local mobile phone number (vs. 87% globally).