Portugal has long been a very popular destination with people moving abroad from the UK. It is a popular choice due to its climate, way of life, and proximity to the UK meaning that you can be back in a couple of hours, should there be an emergency ‘back home’. Long has it been a destination for retirees, looking to spend their days in a warmer climate or near the beach. Portugal is now becoming more popular with couples, singles and young families looking for a better quality of life all round.

Renting property in Portugal is an easy and relatively cheap way to stay in the country for a year or so, as there is no council tax to be paid on rented accommodation. If you plan on owning a property in Portugal then you will have to pay a form of council tax, however this will be much less than what you are required to pay in the UK.

Living like a local really will help to keep the bills and weekly shop prices down. Locally grown produce such as fruit, vegetables and fish are a lot cheaper at markets than they are in supermarkets. Meat is more expensive, but pork and chicken are the cheapest. Wine is produced throughout the country and a good quality bottle can be picked up for around €2-3.

It must be said, that in the last decade or so the prices in Portugal have risen greatly and are on par with the rest of Europe when it comes to bigger towns and cities. The more rural areas however are still considerably cheaper, as you would expect. If you want to live like the locals do then you will find it is cheap to live. More touristy areas and areas that are popular with expatriates such as the Algarve will of course be more expensive. Generally speaking though, those who live a moderate lifestyle in Portugal can see their spending slashed by up to 50% compared to in their home country.

When it comes to moving your money to Portugal from the UK then you will want to get the best exchange possible in order to get the most from your money. The best way to get a good exchange rate is to use a currency exchange specialist company who specialists in moving and transferring currency. They often offer rates which are up to 4% better than the banks; this means you could save hundreds, if not thousands of pounds when you buy your foreign currency. Specialist companies can also advise you on the best time to buy your currency in order to get a good rate. They will also offer independent advice and may be able to reduce or even eliminate any transfer fees charged by the overseas banks.