We Chose Portugal over Spain, France, and Italy. 2 Years Later, Do We REGRET It?

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Two and a half years ago, we made the decision to move to Portugal instead of moving to Spain, moving to France, or moving to Italy. Like many people researching life abroad, we were comparing safety, healthcare, cost of living, climate, and long-term residency options across Southern and Western Europe.

At the time, Portugal seemed like the best country to move to in Europe. The healthcare system was strong, the country felt exceptionally safe, the cost of living was lower than much of the U.S., and Portugal offered a relatively clear path to residency and citizenship.

A lot has changed since then.

Portugal’s NHR tax program for expats has ended for new applicants, housing prices in Portugal have increased, and the pathway to Portuguese citizenship may change. These shifts raise an important question for anyone considering a move abroad today: knowing what we know now, would we still choose Portugal over Spain, France, or Italy?

In this video, we compare Portugal vs Spain vs France vs Italy based on our real-world experience living in Europe for more than two years. We also share how our priorities have changed since moving abroad, and how those changes would affect our decision if we were starting over today.

We cover:

What mattered most to us when choosing a country to move abroad
Living in Portugal as expats after 50
Portugal cost of living, safety, and healthcare compared to Spain, France, and Italy
Why we ruled out Spain, France, and Italy at the time
How residency, citizenship timelines, and tax policy affect long-term planning
The one European country we would seriously consider today that wasn’t on our radar before

This video is especially relevant if you’re:

Researching moving to Portugal from the U.S.
Comparing Portugal vs Spain for expats
Considering living in Italy or France after retirement
Looking for the best European country to move to after 50
Planning a move to Europe that balances lifestyle, healthcare, and long-term stability

Hi, we’re Matt and Dawn. In 2023, we decided not to retire, but to move to Europe instead. Today, we live, work, and travel from Portugal’s Silver Coast, and we share what we’ve learned about expat life, healthcare, visas, and building flexible income abroad.

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💬 Join the Conversation
If you’re considering moving to Portugal, Spain, France, or Italy, or you’ve already made the move, tell us in the comments which country you would choose today and why.