Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Live and Invest Overseas.
Beautiful, sunny, friendly, safe, welcoming, and affordable Portugal is one of the world’s top retirement havens.
What is it, exactly, about Portugal that makes it so tough to beat when considering options the whole globe over for reinventing your life?
In fact, Portugal checks every box on the would-be retiree’s list.
1. Great Weather
Portugal’s Algarve region enjoys one of the most stable climates in the world and 3,300 hours of sunshine per year, meaning more sunny days than almost anywhere else in Europe.
As a result, the Algarve has a long-standing reputation as a top summer destination among European sun-seekers and a top winter retreat for those looking to escape Northern Europe’s coldest months.
The Algarve has no bad weather months, but it does have a winter. January and February can be cold enough that you’ll want a coat.
The best months can be September and October, when the summer crowds have gone but the weather and sea temperature are still ideal.
2. Safety
Portugal ranks as one of the safest countries in the world. Violent crime is rare, and petty crime is limited to street crime during the busy tourist season.
As well, this country has managed to keep itself separate from the immigration crisis that is playing out in other parts of Europe.
3. Good Infrastructure
Portugal and the Algarve have enjoyed important infrastructure investments in recent years, specifically to do with the country’s highway network and airports.
As a result, this is an easy region to get around and also a great base for exploring all of Europe and North Africa.
4. Health Care
International-standard health care is available for a very low cost.
As a result, medical tourism is a growing industry in the region, in particular for cosmetic, hip replacement, and dental specialties.
5. Golf
The region boasts 42 courses in less than 100 miles and is recognized as a top golfing destination in continental Europe and the world.
6. Great Beaches
The Algarve’s 100 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline are punctuated by jagged rock formations, lagoons, and extensive sandy beaches, many awarded coveted Blue Flags from the European Blue Flag Association.
The water off these shores is azure, and the cliff-top vistas are spectacular.
7. Affordable Cost of Living
The cost of living in Portugal is among the lowest in Western Europe, on average 30% lower than in any other country of the region.
A couple could live here comfortably but modestly on a budget of as little as $1,500 per month.
With a budget of $3,000 per month or more, you could enjoy a fully appointed lifestyle most anywhere in this heart of the Old World.
8. English Is Widely Spoken
In the Algarve and other popular tourist spots in Portugal, English is widely spoken.
Living here, you could get by without learning to speak Portuguese … though any effort to learn the local language is a show of respect and appreciated.
9. User-Friendly Residency Options
Portugal doesn’t have a retiree-specific visa, but it has an independent means visa (the Passive Income Earner’s or D7 Visa) that retirees use to live in the country long-term.
The D7 might be the easiest residence permit in Europe to qualify for. The basic requirement is showing that you receive enough passive income to support yourself while living in Portugal.
You should be prepared to show about $1,500 per month in income (the official amount is lower, but $1,500 gives you a better chance of having your application approved). The D7 grants a two-year residence permit that you can renew.
This is one of the easiest residency programs of any country in Europe. Indeed, it’s one of the easiest of any country in the world.
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