Number of Brits moving to Portugal trebles in a decade

A decade of making moves to Portugal spotlighting key UK leaver trends

The number of UK nationals resident in Portugal has trebled in 10 years according to the Portuguese Chamber Of Commerce in the UK.

And interest among Brits in making the move to Portugal shows no sign of waining, with 12,000+ people attending the chamber’s Moving to Portugal Shows over that time.

Figures from the Portuguese immigration authority (AIMA) reveal that there were 16,559 UK nationals officially resident in Portugal in 2014. By 2024, the figure had jumped to 48,238.

Helping thousands of those who have moved in recent years has been the Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars, which has been organised by the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK since 2017. In the years since, over 12,000 Britons have attended the free-to-attend shows, which play a crucial role in making timely, accurate information accessible to those leaving the UK.

Backed by a decade of experience and expertise, the Moving to Portugal Show returns to London once more on 26th March 2026.

Having run the shows for the past 10 years, Portuguese Chamber General Manager Christina Hippisley has gleaned key insights into how movers have changed. She explains: “From their ages to their motivations, we’ve seen a significant shift in those attending the Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars over the years. When we began running the events, attendees were largely looking for second homes and often nearing retirement. Now, their focus is much more on Portugal as a destination to live, do business and raise a family.”

The fundamental shift over the last decade has been in how Portugal is viewed. Ten years ago, it was widely positioned as a sunny, good-value place to holiday, retire or own a second home. While it remains all of those things, Portugal is now is seen as a place to live year-round, work remotely and raise a family.

Portugal’s tax pull has likewise changed. A decade ago, the tax benefits of the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime (compared to taxation in the UK) became strongly associated with retirees and lifestyle movers. Fast-forward to 2026 and the emphasis is instead on attracting highly qualified workers to Portugal, linked to scientific research and innovation. This includes an IRS special rate of 20% on qualifying employment and self-employment income through the IFICI tax regime, which opened in 2024. The scheme offers broad exemptions for most foreign income (though pensions are taxed at normal progressive rates) for highly qualified professionals in scientific research, innovation, tech and related sectors.

The result is that Portugal is attracting a growing number of movers who are still working (many of them internationally) and who are seeking a family-focused destination for long-term settlement.

The shift in focus to Portugal as a long-term destination to live and work has had a major impact on decisions around locations and property types, with plans increasingly driven by schooling, healthcare, community, connectivity and legal considerations. Property buyers are now prioritising space and flexibility (such as an extra room that serves as a home office) and quiet, year-round liveability, not just peak season appeal (as is usually the case with second homes). Strong internet and mobile coverage have become increasingly essential, as has access to airports and transport links for hybrid working, school travel and family logistics.

Location choices have broadened as a result, with buyers looking beyond the sunshine of the Algarve to service-dense cities such as Lisbon and Porto, which provide a choice of international schools, private healthcare, professional networks and employment access. Data from the Moving to Portugal Shows reveals that interest in Porto and northern Portugal has risen over the past few years. In 2022, 28% of the event’s attendees were interested in Porto and the North, climbing to 35% in 2025.

The type of information that attendees are seeking at the Moving to Portugal Shows has also changed in recent years. In 2022, 58% of attendees were interested in information on visas and residency and 41% in tax advice. By 2025, those figures had risen to 63% and 48% respectively, highlighting movers’ growing need for clear, detailed information on the practicalities of moving.

“What’s interesting about the past decade is that we’ve seen two major factors – Brexit and Covid – accelerate moving trends immensely.

Brexit made moving to Portugal more complex, meaning guidance matters much more, while Covid opened families’ eyes to achieving a life beyond the office and prioritising physical and mental wellbeing” says Christina Hippisley, General Manager, Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK.

Stephen Baldwin, who attended two Moving to Portugal Shows before moving to Portugal with his wife and three children, personifies this emphasis on wellbeing benefits. He explains:

“Lifestyle factors were a big part of our reasons for moving. We wanted to spend more time outdoors and enjoy a more active life. The plentiful sunshine certainly makes that possible.

We regularly stroll to the nearby beach and I use my electric bike to explore the coastline. My wellbeing has benefited significantly from moving to Portugal. The sunshine and active outdoor lifestyle make a big difference – it’s a much healthier way to live.”

Obtaining accurate, relevant advice is now more important than ever for UK nationals considering a move to Portugal. Brexit means that short stays fall under the 90 days (in any 180 days) Schengen limit, while working has separate requirements and residency rights and documentation routes are more formal. Movers must understand the Withdrawal Agreement pathways and processes described by Portuguese immigration authority AIMA, obtain the right visas and understand their taxation position in Portugal.

The format of the Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars has been updated significantly over the past ten years to reflect such shifting requirements.

The shows make up-to-the-minute information easily available to those looking at starting a new life in Portugal. Presentations and seminars, along with a carefully curated lineup of exhibitors, ensures that information spans buying property, visas, tax, banking, wealth planning, lifestyle considerations and real estate opportunities in key locations up and down the country. Attendees have the opportunity not only to access the information they need but to network with those who can help smooth the process of moving overseas.

The next Moving to Portugal Show will take place in London’s Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm on Thursday 26th March.

Packed with practical guidance to help movers relocate, retire, expand their business and more, the show reflects the immense demand from those keen to transition away from the UK and make Portugal their home instead. Anyone interested in being part of the next cohort of movers can attend the Moving to Portugal Show by registering online in advance for free at https://MTP-London-2026.eventbrite.co.uk.

For more information, please contact the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK: www.portuguese-chamber.org.uk or www.movingtoportugal.org.uk, tel 00 44 7463 689666.

Source and images: Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK.