Cookies Policy

To provide you with a better experience, InvestPorto, in collaboration with a number of partners, uses cookies on this website, which allow the personalization of content and advertising that is shown to you.
By continuing to use our website without changing your settings, we assume that you accept the use of cookies. Change Settings

Accept selected cookies Accept all cookies
A city for all,
a place to enjoy life
Porto is a city where you can live your best life, surrounded by inspiring places and a welcoming community ready to embrace new people and ideas.

Welcoming, inclusive and safe
Porto cherishes its open atmosphere and the city’s growing international community. Known for its welcoming culture and inclusive policies towards newcomers, the city and its inhabitants reflect Portugal's recognition as the 3rd best in Europe in the EU's Migrant Integration Policy Index 2020.

A world within a city

There were about 69,000 foreign residents from over 150 different nationalities living in the Porto Metro Area in 2022, of whom about one-third lived within the city of Porto. The Brazilian, Italian, and Chinese communities were the largest foreign communities in the region.
Porto’s foreign population more than doubled in the last five years, with the city registering a 178% growth in the number of foreign inhabitants since 2016. This growth has contributed to the cultural diversity and vibrancy of the city.

Number of foreign residents in Porto



69,000 foreign residents live in
the Porto Metro Area
Source: INE (2022)
150+ communities from different nationalities from around the world Source: SEFSTAT (2021)

Porto's appeal extends to traveling remote workers, who are attracted to the city's fast internet, safe and tolerant society, and friendly and welcoming community. Nomad List ranks Porto as one of the top places for digital nomads to live in Europe. The city was visited by more than 31,000 digital nomads in 2023, with most of these nomads coming from Europe and North America.

Porto is also a great place for families, with high-quality healthcare and education facilities, including international schools offering programs in English, French, and German. A 2021 study by Norwegian consultancy Sumo Finans named Porto as one of the best cities in Europe for family living.  Safety is another important factor that makes Porto an attractive place to live, with Portugal being ranked as the 7th safest country in the world according to the Global Peace Index 2023.



High-quality lifestyle
Porto was named the best small city to live in the world by Monocle's Small Cities Index 2021, and Portugal was ranked 7th in the world for quality of life for expats in the InterNations Quality of Life Index 2023.

In addition to its high quality of life, Porto is an affordable city with a lower cost of living compared to most Western European cities.  House prices in Porto are, on average, 31% less expensive than in Lisbon, according to Cushman & Wakefield, and the overall cost of living for an expat is about 22% lower, according to Nomad List.

Quality vs. cost of life across European cities






Inspiring heritage and nature
Porto is a city with a unique historic landscape, having been recognized as Europe's Best Destination in 2012, 2014, and 2017, and the World's Leading City Destination in 2022 by the World Travel Awards. It is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Porto Historic Centre and the Douro Wine Region. These sites, along with the city's excellent gastronomy, fine wines, and vibrant cultural life, make Porto one of Europe’s must-see destinations. Euromonitor International ranks Porto as one of the top 100 city destinations in the world and the 50th best city for sustainable travel.

World's Leading City Destination 2022 Source: World Travel Awards
Two UNESCO World Heritage sites Porto Historic Centre and
the Douro Wine Region
In addition to its cultural and social offerings, Porto boasts a mild climate with 220 sunny days per year, making it possible to enjoy outdoor sports and activities all year round. The city is situated on the coast, close to beautiful sandy beaches, most of which have been awarded the Blue Flag for their good environmental management and excelent water quality. The Douro Wine Region, located just an hour's drive from the city, offers stunning views of the Douro River and the surrounding countryside. The region is known for its production of Port wine, which can be sampled at one of the many wineries located in the city.
Got questions? Get answers and make better business decisions