Figures from Portugal’s national statistics institute (INE) reveal that the number of overnight stays by UK visitors in Portugal has increased by 39.5% in 10 years, from 7,095,996 in 2013 to 9,901,272 in 2023.
The huge increase shows how comprehensively Portugal is now on the radar of many UK tourists, as well as those from elsewhere; the Iberian Peninsula country welcomed a record total of 18 million visitors in 2023.
But is it just UK holidaymakers who are flocking to Portugal? Figures from the Portuguese border and immigration authority (formerly known as SEF, now renamed AIMA) show that there were 16,471 UK citizens residing in Portugal in 2013. By 2022, that figure had nearly tripled, with 45,218 UK citizens now calling Portugal home.
The rapid increase in interest in Portugal is something that Christina Hippisley, General Manager of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK, has witnessed in her role over the past decade.
She said, “As more UK visitors have discovered Portugal over the past decade, we’ve seen a significant increase in demand from those seeking to live and work in Portugal, as well as holidaymakers.
“This appetite is driving demand for properties up and down the country, particularly in major cities such as Lisbon and Porto and in the sun-blessed southern Algarve region.
“The attractive taxation and visa regimes in Portugal have certainly helped, with property buyers and entrepreneurs from the UK finding a range of routes to residency available to them.”
For those interested to make the move to Portugal, the free-to-attend Moving to Portugal Show, organised by the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK, is the ideal resource for finding out about the legal, tax and financial implications of doing so.
Taking place at London’s Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel, from 10:30-19:30 on 14th March 2024, the show will feature seminars and presentations from expert speakers, covering all aspects of moving from the UK to Portugal. Free tickets are now available to book online.
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