How to plan a scouting trip to Portugal? (6-12 months before travel)
This is the most critical phase. Success here dictates the success of the entire mission.
Financial Blueprint:
- Scout Trip Budget: This is a working budget, not a vacation fund. Expats on forums consistently report a realistic budget of €150-€250 per day for two people, after flights.
- Flights: Booked in advance for the off-season.
- Car Rental: Essential for exploring. Budget ~€30-€50/day. Crucial Forum Tip: Absolutely get the Via Verde (electronic toll) transponder. Chasing toll payments later is a bureaucratic nightmare you don't need.
- Accommodation: Budget for Airbnbs or Alojamentos Locais (AL), not hotels. ~€70-€120/night.
- Daily Expenses: Fuel, groceries (you'll be cooking), and a few meals out for research.
- The "Go-Bag" Fund Reality Check: While planning, use this as a moment to budget the real move. Expat wisdom pegs a safe number at €10,000-€15,000 for a couple to cover visa costs, lawyer fees, apartment deposits (often 2-3 months' rent + security), and initial setup before a steady income is established.
Organize your priorities for your life in Portugal
This is your most important document. Create a spreadsheet, be brutally honest with youself. This is based on hundreds of "I wish I'd thought of..." reports.
| Category |
Non-Negotiable (Deal-Breaker) |
Nice to Have (Bonus) |
| Work/Connectivity |
Reliable, high-speed fiber optic internet (verify with provider maps from MEO/Vodafone/NOS). Not just "Wi-Fi." |
Coworking space nearby. |
| Lifestyle/Access |
Walkable to a cafe and mini-market. Within a 15-min drive of a large supermarket. |
Beach or hiking trail access. |
| Healthcare |
Within a 30-min drive of a hospital with a 24/7 emergency room (Urgência). |
A local Centro de Saúde that's taking new patients. |
| Transport |
Access to a train station for car-free travel to Lisbon/Porto. OR, easy, stress-free parking at my residence. |
Proximity to a major airport (LIS, OPO, FAO). |
| Social |
An existing expat community of a certain size/age group. OR, a vibrant local community with events and festivals. |
A specific club or hobby group (e.g., tennis, pottery). |
Build Your "Personal Operating Manual": Don't start by researching Portugal; start by researching yourself. On a spreadsheet, define your non-negotiables with brutal honesty.
- Column A (Need): High-speed fiber internet for work, a garden for the dog, within 15 mins of a gym, access to an international school, a community with people in your age bracket.
- Column B (Want): A sea view, a farmers' market, a historic center.
- Column C (Cannot Tolerate): Constant street noise, total reliance on a car, extreme summer heat, political monocultures.
This document is now your objective scorecard.
Where to get real information for your Portuguese life?
- YouTube - The "Boring" Videos are Gold:
. Search for "walking tour [town name] November" or "driving in [city name] rush hour." You want unedited, ground-level views.
. Search for: "Pingo Doce grocery haul Portugal" or "Continente prices." These give you real-time cost-of-living data.
. Look for vlogs titled "The Downsides of Living in Portugal" or "My Biggest Regrets." The algorithm tries to hide them; seek them out.
- Facebook & Reddit - Your Intelligence Agency:
Join groups like "Americans & Friends in Portugal," "British Expats in Portugal," and location-specific ones. DO NOT post "Should I move to...?"
. Lurk and Search. Use these keywords: "mold," "damp," "winter heating," "electricity bill," "NISS," "SEF appointment," "finding a doctor," "scams," and "rental deposit." Filter by "Most Recent" to get current information. This will give you a raw, unvarnished look at the most common and current challenges.
