Moving to Lisbon
Lisbon as a city has a lot to offer which is why it’s such a popular destination for UK expats. On this page you will find all the relevant information about moving to Lisbon, from moving costs to requesting free removal quotes. Below is an overview of what will be discussed:
Why choose Lisbon
Lisbon is Portugal’s largest city and also capital, although the economy has been struggling in recent years Lisbon is in fact Portugal’s richest city. The beautiful climates and the views from Lisbon’s seven hills are few of the many features that make it such a perfect location. In the summer, temperatures can rise up to above 35 degrees Celsius. Generally the quality of life is very high compared to the low prices for food, rent and other goods. So if you’re used to the London prices you can live in Lisbon like a King / Queen.
How much will your move cost?
Moving to Lisbon will vary in price dependant on a variety of factors. The most influential factor being household size. Below is an overview of the costs associated with moving from London to Lisbon by road. On average this process will take 3-5 days.
| Household size | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 bed | £2,100 – £3,000 |
| 2 bed | £2,700 – £3,700 |
| 3 bed | £3,600 – £4,900 |
| 4 bed | £4,700 – £6,400 |
| 5 bed | £6,000 – £8,100 |
The cost of your move will however also vary depending on other factors. Household size is the top cost variant, of course a bigger household will cost more to move. The other main 3 factors include. (1) Location – Living a closer location in the UK to Lisbon will be a lot cheaper in comparison if you are living in Scotland. (2) Insurance – It is always safe to have your belongings protected in case of accidents; however this comes at a cost. (3) Additional services – Other services can be provided in your move to make it less stressful, services such as packaging can make your move easier but will also come at a cost.
Living in Lisbon
The top difference when moving to Lisbon is the cultural differences, the main one being the language. The weather of course being the next big variable, as previously mentioned temperatures can rise up to 35 Celsius in the summer, so remember to bring your suncream or the stereotype of burnt Brits will be continued. Although the salary rates are a lot lower in comparison to the UK, this is reflected in their very low consumer prices, for example grocery prices are 35% lower in Lisboon. Which is why many citizens retire in Lisbon. Below is an overview of some of the general prices in Lisbon in comparison to London:
| Goods | London prices | Lisbon prices |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | £0.90 | £0.53 |
| Eggs | £2.16 | £1.30 |
| Beer | £1.67 | £0.82 |
| Utilities | £148.72 | £76.25 |
| 1 bed rented apartment | 1,677.00 | 537.30 |
Tips before departure
When moving to Lisbon you do not need a visa to enter due to being a member state of the European Union; however if staying longer than 90 days you must apply for a permanent residency visa.
Checklist before your move
- Health insurance – If you have residency in Lisbon then healthcare is free. You will have to register for a NHS user card (Cartão de Utente)
- Paper work – Make sure all important documents are up to date and you have photocopied any important documents.
- Taxes – It is recommended to contact your tax authorities before moving to Lisbon. You are classified as a tax paying resident if you stay in Lisbon for more than 183 days.
- Banking – Using your existing UK bank will cost you an arm and a leg due to curency differences and international rates. It is recommended to take out a local bank account:
- Redirect mail – To make sure you don’t miss out on any important mail you should get everything redirected to your new address.
- Cancellations – Cancel any utilities and subscriptions to save spending extra.
Where should you live in Lisbon?
Now that you’ve chosen Lisbon, which area should you move to? It is important to choose the right location for your needs. Below are the top recommended areas to move to:
Bairro Alto
Known as being one of the most attractive neighbourhoods and very well known. It is full of entertainments, from resraurants and bars to being a hotspot for sub cultural life.
Baixa
Located in the city centre of Lisbon, a popular location to ‘shop until you drop’. It’s a top location for first time expats and its close location makes it perfect.
Chiado
Chiado is a poplar place for younger generations. It is full of nice cafes, art schools and theatres. If you want to be surrounded with culture, this location is perfect for you.
Parque de Nações
Probably one of the more pricey locations, but is a modern emerging neighbourhood. If you want to be close to the historical life of Lisbon but not live in it then this is a prime location for you
Finding your dream home
Finding a place to live in Lisbon is a lot easier in comparison to other EU countries. Rentals can be short term from a few weeks, to long term of 6+ months. Properties can be searched for in the classified section of the newspapers, such as the Publico and the Diário de Notícias, or for in the English language publications such as the Portugal News or on specialised web portals.
Popular online housing websites include apartmentsapart.com
Looking for work?
If you do not speak the Portuguese language then finding a job just became 10 times harder. When you speak the language and have specific skills, the search to find your new job will be a lot easier. The unemployment rate in Portugal is still very high in comparison to the UK (10.4%), so probably best if you have a job already lined up before moving to Lisbon. The most common sector is the service sector where 67% are employed. Handy websites to give you tips on working in Lisbon include:
- Ministry of Labour website (Ministério do Trabalho e da Solidariedade Social)
- Social Security website (Segurança Social)
- Portuguese Public Employment Service (PES) web portal (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional)
The main popular ways to find jobs in Lisbon are through Newspapers, employment websites, personal contacts and employment agencies. Networking is an important feature and will prove more helpful than finding jobs in other ways, such as over the internet.
When you find a job, the next big step is moving. Moving to Lisbon is relatively simple and to find out more information you can get five free moving quotes and compare international moving.
Transportation in Lisbon
The public transport network in Lisbon is widely used with their extensive bus and railway networks connecting all the important regions of the country. In general the public transport is reliable and very inexpensive in comparison to the UK. When moving to Lisbon if you think you will take advantage of their great public transport networks then it is advised to purchase a CP card. The card allows you to travel at a discount and the card only costs 7EU
Request free removal quote
Thinking about moving to Lisbon? Fill out our free removal quote form this will only take a few minutes. You can receive up to 5 quotes and can save 40% on your move to Lisbon.
