Despite being located in South Europe, a region not commonly known for its English skills, it’s increasingly common to hear that Portugal has a population with high English-speaking levels. The country is often compared to Nordic nations like Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, which are mainly recognized for boasting the best English proficiency outside of the Anglosphere. The comparison, as it turns out, is entirely valid and founded.
Portugal and the Portuguese: Among Europe’s Most Proficient Speakers
Every year, Education First’s (EF) English Proficiency Index examines millions of English speakers between the ages of 18 to 60 from hundreds of regions across the world, including Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The Index then classifies each assessed country with “proficiency bands,” going from very low to very high.
Portugal, which reached the 8th position in 2023 and the 6th in 2024, has a very high level of English proficiency. According to EF, this means Portuguese natives can “use nuanced and appropriate language in social situations, read advanced texts with ease; and negotiate contracts with native English speakers”. This roughly corresponds to C1 and C2 levels of English proficiency, which are the highest international standard for English mastery.
On the country’s profile page, the age trends section paints a clear picture of the English proficiency scenario in Portugal. There’s a higher amount of proficient English speakers among younger generations, particularly between the ages of 18 to 30. The numbers tend to increase remarkedly as the years go by, and there was a significant surge in proficiency from 2016 onward. This same trend is also reflected in the later age groups, between 31 and 40, and more than 41, even if not as high as the younger age brackets.
These numbers don’t come as a surprise. Portugal has a deep focus on education, and English as a second language classes begin to be taught as early as the third or fourth grade when children are between the ages of 8 to 9. The country also has a longstanding tradition of subtitling English-based media, a trend commonly found in Nordic countries. This contrasts with dubbing practices, which are commonplace in other countries like Spain and Italy, enabling children to have more direct access to English from a young age. Plus, the US media is consumed regularly by a significant amount of Portuguese people.
What are the best places to live in Portugal as an English Speaker?
While English is widely spoken across Portugal, it doesn’t mean the language is spoken fluently in all the regions of the country. Basic communication may be achieved on an essential level in most of the territory, but as the distance grows from the largest cities, English fluency tends to decrease. Considering this, EF’s findings, and Portugal Homes’ expertise, the following are the best places to live in Portugal as an English Speaker.
Lisbon
It would be impossible to create a list of the best places to live in Portugal for English Speakers and not include the capital. Lisbon actually ranks 3rd in the country's profile, getting a score of 626, only below Coimbra and Braga, which makes sense when considering the vast differences in the population size in the greater metropolitan area. Regardless, Lisbon is Portugal’s main international hub, where you'll find trendy and vibrant expat communities. Also, as it’s the country’s most visited city, Lisbon receives millions of tourists every year. English is the capital’s unofficial second language and an expat relocating to Lisbon will have no issue with communications.
Porto
With an individual ranking of 618, classifying it as a city with English speakers at a “very high” level of proficiency, Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city, and a tremendous choice for anyone moving to Portugal. A city best known for its fabled sweet Port wine and the UNESCO-recognised Historic Center, bathed by the Douro River and overseen by the Luís I Bridge, Porto has a unique vibe and charm, immensely loved by the expats residing there. As Portugal’s number two city, and with high levels of tourism, there will not be a shortage of English speakers in Porto.
The Algarve
Even though the Algarve is a region and not a city, it does include several cities like Faro, Albufeira, Lagos, and Quarteira, where English is almost the second “official” language, much like in Lisbon. This is especially true during the summer when the region truly comes alive under the bright sun, and thousands of people flock there to enjoy the region’s pristine beaches. With tourism being the Algarve’s key economic activity, it is no surprise English is commonly heard in any of its cities. When including the greater Faro metropolitan area, which corresponds to the Algarve region, it scores 601 in the EF’s English Proficiency Index - still in the “very high” band.
Portugal Attracts English-Speaking Expats
Even though it may be one of the most important factors when considering relocation, since the need to communicate with locals is fundamental, English proficiency is more like the cherry on top of the cake, rather than the entire dessert when it comes to Portugal. The country boasts a myriad of other reasons why it is so highly coveted by expats.
For one, Portugal is among the safest countries in the world, having ranked 7th in the Global Peace Index. Portugal also has one of Europe’s sunniest climates, getting over 300 days of sunshine per year. Combining this with the country’s varied, stunning landscape in every region, which includes astounding beaches, especially in the Algarve region, makes Portugal the dreamiest place for relocation.
Despite its compact size, Portugal has been in the international spotlight for several years, and even though it continues to be underrated, it truly is in the European vanguard. With some of Europe’s Best Business Schools, revealing Portugal’s deep commitment to education as a whole, and the country setting itself up as an international hub, housing some of Europe’s most promising startup hubs, Portugal is truly a must for anyone considering a second residency.
Portugal Homes’ Residency by Investment Solutions
To top it all off, Portugal makes it effortless for expats seeking a new home and a great relocation plan. With enticing Residency by Investment programmes, like the Portugal D2 Visa and the Portugal Golden Visa, obtaining legal status as a resident in an EU country is a simple and straightforward process. You’ll also get benefits like family reunification and visa-free travel across the European Union’s Schengen Zone, as well as the opportunity to settle down in a stable country with the highest standards of living. All this, plus the reassurance of knowing there will be no issues when it comes to speaking English in Portugal.
And the best part is that you can have Portugal Homes at your side at all times. From choosing your property, to walking you through the intricacies of investment relocation we’re experts in making the process smooth and carefree for any expat.
Read more:
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Portugal To Renew Focus on Teaching Portuguese to Expats
