Coming to Portugal: Migration, Retirement and a Reimagined Life

Between 2022 and 2023, Portugal experienced 130% increase in the number of migrants living in the country. It is estimated that approximately 14,000 of the new migrants are from the United States. The number of US citizens living in Portugal has steadily grown by 274% since 2016. Fueled in part by a number of pro-migration policies Portugal enacted (Non-habitual residency (NHR) taxation law (2009), the Portuguese Golden Visa law (2012), and the Sephardi Nationality Act (2015), to make the country a financially attractive place to reside. Drawing from ethnographic participant observation data (ongoing), this study of young U.S. retirees who have migrated to Portugal and established residency there go about negotiating their new expat lives. Many state the lower cost of living and the quality of life as their motivations for choosing Portugal. While some do attempt to learn Portuguese prior to arriving, the majority do not speak the language. This project focuses on the US citizens perceived impact on the Portuguese culture and, in turn, how living in Portugal impacts their sense of themselves. This work contributes to our understanding of expat retirees, their motivations, expectations, and their reimagined lives.