Working From Paradise

Abode2 reports on how Portugal is ranked as the world’s best location for remote workers

A new survey from Kayak has ranked Portugal as the best country in the world in which to work remotely. Famous for its stunning beaches, world-class golf courses and vibrant cities, Portugal has also been building a reputation in recent years for its tech scene and engineering prowess, with TechCrunch highlighting the country in 2021 as, “a magnet for digital nomads with talent.”

Ranking factors included in the Kayak survey included local prices, health and safety, social life, weather, travel and more, all of which impact on remote workers’ quality of life. Portugal also scores very highly when it comes to English proficiency, which is often key to helping English speakers feel settled. The English Proficiency Index ranks Portugal seventh globally, making it the highest-ranking country in Southern Europe.

According to real estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, price tag of homes in Portugal is another part of the country’s appeal.

Jose Mendonça, Mortgage Advisor at Ideal Homes Portugal commented: “Though prices in Portugal have risen in recent years, they still compare very favourably to those in the UK. Portugal also enjoys low interest rates, attractive loan to value mortgage rates and a hassle-free buying process for those buying through established real estate and mortgage companies.”

The affordability of property in Portugal is thrown into stark relief when one compares the price of the average London home – £497,800 according to hometrack’s November 2021 report – with what’s available in Portugal for the equivalent amount. That equates to just under €600,000, at the time of writing, which is enough for a four-bedroom villa with a private pool, pretty gardens and numerous terraces in the attractive market town of Loulé, in the Algarve.

Chris White, Founder & CEO at Ideal Homes Portugal concluded: “It’s a great time to buy a property in Portugal right now and an excellent investment for those looking for a long-term remote work location. Portugal has a solid infrastructure and a charming community vibe that can help expats feel very welcome and settled. It ticks all the right boxes when it comes to working remotely and is a superb place to spend time once the working day is done, particularly in the Algarve with all those beautiful beaches. I can easily see why it topped the list of countries from which to work remotely.”

www.idealhomesportugal.com