Portugal
Why Portugal
Comparison with Morocco
comparison with Greece
Your pension is worth more in Portugal.
in 2026
Additionally, there are specific tax advantages: depending on double taxation agreements between Portugal and the country of origin, foreign income such as pensions, dividends, and capital gains may be exempt from taxes in Portugal. Portugal does not impose wealth or inheritance tax on direct family members.
For active professionals, those in high value-added sectors can benefit from a reduced personal income tax rate of 20% for a period of 10 years. Divine-home
Summary of key benefits:
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Possible reduced tax rate of 10% on pensions (transitional NHR regime)
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No inheritance tax for children and spouse
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No wealth tax
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Double taxation agreements with France that avoid paying taxes in two countries
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Significantly lower cost of living than in Paris
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Public healthcare system with free access for residents
In an uncertain world, Portugal is your certainty.
We live in unsettling times. Central Europe faces unprecedented geopolitical tensions since the Second World War. Many French people—especially families and retirees—are now seeking a safe, peaceful, and European place where they can rebuild their peace of mind.
Portugal is consistently ranked among the 5 safest countries in the world by the Global Peace Index. Without borders bordering conflict zones, without significant ethnic or religious tensions, with a stable democracy and respected security forces. It is the country where you can sleep with the window open.
Safety in Portugal is not just the absence of war—it is the presence of tranquility. In the streets of Lisbon, in the Alentejo at dusk, in the Algarve in October. It is a quality of life that Paris, with all its grandeur, can no longer offer in the same way.
Lisbon - the capital that still has a soul.
Lisbon is one of the most fascinating and least crowded European capitals in the world. With a human scale, seven hills, the ever-present Tagus River, and a unique light that 19th-century painters already pursued, Lisbon is a city best discovered on foot—and never forgotten.
Lisbon’s luxury real estate market offers historic mansions, contemporary design apartments in renovated Pombaline buildings, penthouses overlooking the river, and award-winning architectural villas in the most exclusive neighborhoods—Príncipe Real, Lapa, Estrela, Campo de Ourique, Restelo, Cascais, and Sintra.
The city has two international airports (Lisbon and the new Alcochete Airport under development), a metro system, modern trains, internationally renowned private hospitals, French schools, and an active consulate. Living in Lisbon as a Frenchman is, today, a complete option.
One country, a thousand possible lives.
Portugal is surprisingly diverse for a medium-sized country. Each region has its own character, a different rhythm, a reason for being.
Porto and the North: Grand and austere, Northern Portugal has a deep soul and monumental architecture. Porto is a vibrant, creative, and increasingly international city — with an excellent airport, top-notch gastronomy, and prestigious properties in full appreciation. For those who prefer a city with a strong personality and mild winters, the North is the answer.
Lisbon and the Central Region: The capital concentrates services, cultural life, and the most prestigious real estate market. The Serra da Arrábida, Sintra, the Silver Coast — all less than an hour from Lisbon.
The Alentejo: For those who dream of space, silence, and the grandeur of the plains. Charming estates with swimming pools, wine cellars and olive groves. A completely different life, two hours from the capital. Luxury rural tourism has flourished here in an extraordinary way.
The Algarve: European favorites for good reason — 300 days of sunshine a year, world-class beaches, world-class golf, an already established cosmopolitan community. Ideally positioned for retirees who value the outdoors and a Mediterranean lifestyle.
The sunshine that was missing in your life.
Portugal has one of the most pleasant climates in Western Europe. In Lisbon, the average annual temperature is around 17°C, with hot but not stifling summers (26-28°C) and mild winters (11-14°C). The Algarve goes even further: more than 300 days of sunshine a year, rarely below 10°C in winter.
For a Frenchman accustomed to the Parisian grayness — where the average annual sunshine is only 1,662 hours — discovering that Lisbon has more than 2,800 hours of sunshine a year is a revelation. It’s not just the climate. It’s the mood. The energy. The health. It’s waking up in the morning with light.
At the table in Portugal — a journey that never ends.
Portuguese gastronomy is one of the great surprises for the French who arrive. Here they find an honest, seasonal cuisine, deeply rooted in the territory — which the Michelin Guide discovered and international chefs have come to respect.
Lisbon today has Michelin-starred restaurants, gourmet markets like the Mercado da Ribeira, a booming natural wine scene, and a tapas culture that rivals the sophistication of the best Spanish tapas. Cod with its hundreds of recipes, suckling pig from Bairrada, seafood from the Algarve, sausages from Alentejo, custard tarts fresh from the oven.
Portuguese wines — from Verde to Douro, from Alentejo to Setúbal — represent extraordinary value, with quality that rivals many Burgundies, at a fraction of the price. For a discerning French palate, Portugal is a continuous discovery.