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Portugal is taking the spotlight. With its mild weather and buzzing IT scene that attracts digital nomads from all over the world, this southern European country has the potential to become Europe’s next tech mogul. The advantages of relocating to Portugal are clear: numerous tech companies have offices there, local tech communities are vibrant and welcoming to expats — and let’s not forget about the 300 days of sunshine per year! But what about the less obvious reasons to embark on a new professional journey to Portugal? Together with Intellias employees who’ve been there and done that, we’ve collected seven hidden perks of Portugal.
Portugal’s location is ideal for those who work in remote, multinational teams. Its WET/GMT time zone allows you to comfortably schedule calls with colleagues from Europe, the UK, and even parts of the Americas. For instance, Lisbon is only five hours ahead of New York, whereas Pune, India, is almost 10 hours ahead.
The time zone isn’t the only advantage of Portugal’s location. Both Porto and Lisbon offer direct flights to major European and American cities. And if you’re not a fan of flying, you can always take a bus to Spain. Whenever you get bored of Portugal’s beautiful scenery — which is unlikely to happen any time soon — you can set off to explore other fantastic countries nearby. Of course, planning a business trip also becomes much easier when your average flight to most destinations takes about three hours.
According to the Global Peace Index, Portugal is the seventh most peaceful country in the world and the fifth most peaceful in Europe. It is known for its low crime rate: between 2010 and 2020, the average number of reported crimes was 18% lower than in the 2000s. Overall, Portugal is a safe place to live and work, which is an especially important consideration if you are relocating with children.
This perk of moving to Portugal is no secret, but it’s hard to avoid mentioning the friendliness and hospitality of the Portuguese. Where does that happy-go-lucky approach to life come from? Perhaps living in the sun-drenched, ocean-washed beauty of this country naturally makes you good-humored. You’ll need to spend a couple of months in Porto to know for sure.
Compared to other Western European countries — not to mention the US — Portugal has a relatively low cost of living paired with a high quality of life. Housing in Porto and Lisbon will probably be your biggest expense, but utilities, healthcare, and groceries, which might include fresh local seafood, are more affordable than in most big cities.
What can be better than catching waves in the Atlantic Ocean before your work syncs? Portugal offers about 850 kilometers of stunning coastline with some of the best surfing spots in Europe, including Nazaré and Ericeira. And if you don’t feel comfortable on a board, you can always go hiking on beautiful trails near the ocean or in the mountains.
Portugal has a rich cuisine, filled with pastries, a variety of seafood, and amazing local wines. But let’s be honest: Portuguese pastéis de nata are a solid standalone reason to start packing your luggage. At Intellias, we enjoy them as the locals do — with a cup of strong black coffee.
Great food or new career opportunities, magnificent nature or vibrant cities — choose your reason to start a new professional journey in Portugal. Check out relocation opportunities at Intellias and let the new chapter begin!
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