UK tourists warned 'think twice' before heading to Portugal

An expat has warned over moving to Portugal in the European Union. UK tourists, holidaymakers and those flocking for abroad have been issued a warning over thinking about moving to the likes of Lisbon and Porto for a new life.

Global Citizens Solutions shares: “Compared to other Western European countries, it’s a budget-friendly option for easier savings. Portugal also boasts a high quality of life, supported by excellent education and healthcare systems.

“Additionally, foreign residents can benefit from attractive tax incentives when structured correctly." Victoria, who goes by @Vikaglu on TikTok, has documented her life in the Southern European hotspot via her content online.

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“Do you know that Portuguese activists have protested against evictions and skyrocketing rents caused in part by foreigners?” she asked. She said: “Renting is extremely high [and] bureaucracy is slow”. The minimum wage is also very low, according to Victoria.

She warned: “Dear expats, think twice before you’ve moved”. Victoria said she was encouraged to relocate to Portugal because it is the "perfect place for living", and a great location to start investing in real estate.

She added: “What I’m seeing is a huge real estate bubble in Lisbon and Porto, insane prices for rent." She added: “Locals can’t live in their own towns because of gentrification.”

Portugal’s economic recovery, fuelled by deregulation and a series of schemes designed to lure foreign investment, has distorted the housing market beyond all recognition in a place where the monthly minimum wage is €760 and where 50% of people earn less than €1,000 a month.

Agustín Cocola-Gant, a research fellow at Lisbon University’s Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning, offered a four-word summary of the crisis: “The situation is crazy.” Rita Silva, a veteran housing campaigner and researcher, said the crisis is only serving to increase existing inequalities. “Doctors aren’t coming to big cities where they’re very much needed because they can’t afford a place to live,” she said. “It’s the same with teachers.It’s affecting society in different ways, and it’s going to have an economic impact in the future.”