Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Lisbon, Portugal skyline at Sao Jorge Castle at sunset. getty Since the pandemic, Americans have flocked to Portugal in record numbers. From 2017 to 2022, the number of Americans living in Portugal increased by 239%, reaching almost 10,000 people.
Portugal is having a moment in the sun in terms of its popularity among U.S. expats, and it’s understandable why so many are falling for this charming country.
It’s safe, warm, and inexpensive, and it has beautiful beaches, friendly locals, and a rich history. But for all that Portugal is easy to love, it also has drawbacks and eccentricities that can be confounding to any new arrival. It’s important to be aware of those quirks before you move here so that you can decide whether you’re comfortable with them.
Here’s a round-up of things expats wish they knew before moving to Portugal. The Weather Isn’t Always Perfect Mainland Portugal is famed for its mild Mediterranean climate and abundant sunshine, but contrary to popular belief, the weather isn’t always perfect. It can be surprisingly cold, wet, windy, and rainy in certain parts of the country at certain times of the year.
Northern and inland districts tend to get the coolest temperatures, where the mean annual minimum temperature is about 43 degrees Fahrenheit but can go as low as 14. Even in the Algarve, which has some of the warmest weather in the country, temperatures can range as low as 40 to 50 degrees Fahren.
