Relocation to Portugal - Less taxes, government subsidies, unexpansive land, great weather

Dear Permies,

We have recently acquired 9 ha (22acres) of land in the center-north of Portugal and I was wondering if any of you need help doing the same.

We have researched in many places for that sweet combination of water, sun-exposure, arable soil + forests and good weather for a while. Our search covered Italy, Spain and Portugal, being the last one our favorite option.

I'm writing to check if there is demand for support in doing something similar. We see a lot of people moving to the countryside, especially with the new (more decentralized) way of living, and we find it a pity the language might be a barrier.

Portugal and the European Union provides a lof of incentives to move to the countryside and start a homestead. We can help connecting the dots.

We're also building the house, so we can support also with some info on architects, contractors, permits etc.

Let me know.
Marcelo

Hi Marcelo

thank you for offering your support, thats really kind from you.
My girlfriend and I started looking for a land or farm in Spain or Portugal a year ago. However we are making a slow progress, since we couldnt travel and visit those countries.

We are very curious how did you find the land and in which region is it?

Did you had a support from a lawyer or similar in the buying process?

You are mentioning that the EU provides incentives for moving to the countryside, can you be maybe more specific about, (maybe you have some articles to share)


thanks a lot for your time and best wishes from Germany

Aleks & Leo

Hi Aleks & Leo,

The traveling has been quite a challenge in covid times for sure. Well, we were searching for an area with good rainfall (>1000 mm / year), south-facing, water, so we decided not to pursue the common goal of many (Algarve region) but aim for the northern part, with a more Atlantic weather.
Our property is in the district of Viseu, close-ish to the Star Mountain (Serra da Estrela). More precisely here: 40.68231064252508, -7.574254709130375

This area has a deficit of people, with an aging population and strong migration to cities, the land is fairly cheap and abundant. At times, it is hard to find the owner to buy it from them - but one can manage.
We searched first at idealista.pt, www.olx.pt, https://www.era.pt/imoveis/comprar/terrenos, https://www.imovirtual.com/comprar/terreno/ and other small real state agencies we found along the way. Normally, one real state agency dominates a large area, so if you find that one, you'll have info about all properties.

Regarding the subsidies, there are plenty - some of them very specific, some more broad. The main program is the EAFRD (European agricultural fund for rural development)  
https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/key-policies/common-agricultural-policy/rural-development_en
In Portugal, the website is this: http://www.pdr-2020.pt/
The calls for applications are spread throughout the year and over many different area (irrigation project, young farmer program, forestry grants, agroforestry grants, etc). There is a tentative calendar, but the best thing to do it access it frequently to know what calls are open.
They can grant you up to 85% of the costs of your project, but it has to be aligned with the expenses they cover (specific for each call).

This is just one of many other rural development funds and grants. I like to say that this one is easy to understand, but harder to get (some calls are very specific for some counties, and you might need to wait for your turn). There are other ones, for example the Pedido Unico (single request) https://www.ifap.pt/pedido-unico
This one is MUCH easier, and it grants you things like compensation for having a forest and not a cropland area. But the amount can be small, I think around 200€/ha/year for the compensation for forestry over cropland for example. But there are others.


We did not need a lawyer to purchase the land. We requested many documents to prove that the land was legally suitable. We looked into the building permissions and regional zoning for the county (very easy info to find online) - and things like, incidence of fire, erosion risk, noise pollution, etc. (the country website has maps with good resolution for all these).

I'll be happy to connect over Skype to exchange some info.
We have now submitted our request for a construction permit to the city hall and we're working with a local architect to renovate a ruin in our land. We aim to build a homestead there and slowly relocate there.

Viel Glück!

Marcelo

Great post and Thank You!  I have been looking at other countries as well until C19 hit but I am EAGAR to get back to being serious about moving.  

Thank you so much Marcelo!
We find this information incredible useful and we will be spending some time to research and learn from all this before we may get back to you =)
Have a great week. 🐝

Hello Marcello, thank you so much for the offer - I think we well be in need, your email would be also apreciated.

My boyfriend and I recently bought a ca 4ha property in Vila Mendo de Tavares (should be 20km from your spot), south-west facing with a creek, some ruins and 2-3 wells (we are still looking for the 3d, but its suposed to be there).
It burned all in 2016-2017 and we are on a totaly rural spot with permission to build on the ruins but still some paperwork to do for the project and dealings with finanzas and such...  we want do do an agricultural project so I'd probably have tons of questions for you =)
We are still traveling back and forth to germany where we work but are planing to move in max 2years... so as you mentioned the region is pretty low on population and we'd like to meet the neighbours I guess you could say? =) Maybe for a coffee sometime in Sao Joao? all the best to you for now and have a good one neigbour

Alma! That is actually such a huge coincidence. We have relatives living in the Gouveia-Gare station street right next to you!

If your property has been affected by fire then you probably qualify for some benefits.
I can only imagine the hustle to manage the Finanças without knowing Portuguese. We also have a ruin in our land and we went through the process to rehabilitate it (documentation for now, building will take longer).

We're based in Rome for now, with still no fixed plan to move there YET. I'm a forester so we took care of the planting last year and will now take our time to iron out our projects and build.
But I cannot wait to move there for a few months / year.

Yes for coffee when we're there!

You can reach out to my email: marceloarvore@gmail.com
I will be glad to help.

Cheers!
Marcelo

Just days before the UK left the EU we were in Portugal and obtained residency within 2 days and a small amount of money.  It is valid for 5 years - so it keeps our options open. We have friends a little further south in Penamacor and Valle de Pleasures. So were considering that area. With the fires this year, it has put us off a bit ...

We are living in Wales and there is a lot more water here, so not so certain of Portugal any more ...

A wonderful country and people who are so welcoming!

Hi Marcelo thanks do much for the offer. I'm sending you an email

Hello Marcelo, your efforts are quite generous and kind.  Our family has visited Portugal and love the culture , food, and general sense of safe society.  Great people everywhere we went. I speak Spanish and found it fascinating to pick up a lot of the language through immersion

Since your original post was 3 years back, would you mind providing a quick update on your land?  We are nearing retirement and are casting a broad net for a relaxed and benevolent land to 4eside.... where politicians don't make public threats every day.... that is, current life in USA

Many thanks,
Rico

.....to reside

Hi Marcelo,

I know this thread is a few years old, but your experience is very relevant to what we are researching now.

We are also based in Portugal and are looking for a small rural property for a family homestead. One thing we are trying to improve is our process for evaluating land before getting too attached to a property.

You mentioned that you researched water, sun exposure, arable soil, forests, fire incidence, erosion risk and regional zoning before buying.

Looking back now, is there anything you would add to that checklist based on what you have learned since buying your 9 ha property?

In particular, I would be very interested in your experience with water reliability and whether the reality of the land matched what you had researched before the purchase.

Thanks for sharing your experience — it is exactly the kind of practical information we are trying to learn from before making any decision.

Best regards,
Charles

Hi Lisa, your post is a few years old,  but have you moved to the Iberian peninsula?
Charles, I might be able to assist with your search, we are restoring a house in a small village (150) about two hours east of Porto.  Send a purple mooseage to me , some lovely mountains with abundant clean water where we are.  
Rico

Rico, I would like to nderstand more about the water situation on Portugal since its an area of expertise I try to keep up with.

Hi John, I am a recent convert to the Dão River Valley,  what an amazing place. In general, i think Portugal is protecting the elements of nature and agriculture, so well, and a peaceful society, much better than my damaged usa.  When we see friends arrested by federal ICE agents, accused of holding forged passports and beaten, not allowed to contact a lawyer, we are aghast.  My people have lived in the South since 1750s , but we are leaving, just awful political violence.  

A high quality granite forms a plateau where we found a house, and the granitic soil has a distinct influence on the crops especially the vineyards.  Their wine is renowned as a legitimate region, like Burgundy in France.

Yes, the dry summer affects river levels but the local artesian wells still flow well during droughts.  This is not just anecdotal,  i might add. One reason we bought an abandoned house there is the hydrogeology, I can walk 20 steps to the village center and collect cold pure water.  The ancient spring offers a separate area for washing clothes and sharing local gossip. The municipality tests the water monthly to ensure safety.  A short bike ride from Paço leads to a tranquil swimming area on the river. Upstream from there, a water park is being built, based on the reliable abundant clean water.  

I am not an expert, but history shows that this river is a bit famous, Roman occupiers found a robust wine culture long ago.  Some parts of the region have hot springs and Sulphur springs for meditation and healing.  To top it off, a world class bike trail follows the Dao for 50km, a real gem, the Ecopista da Dao. Biking is a large part of my life, and I am using this constantly on my off time. Vineyards, tunnels, old train stations, and nice people.  

Rico, that sounds lovely.
Is that town water outlet managed in anyway other than being tested?

Hi Rico,

Thank you very much for reaching out. I really appreciate the offer.

We are currently looking for a small rural property in Portugal for a family homestead, and we are still at the research stage, so practical local experience is extremely valuable to us.

The area you mentioned — about two hours east of Porto, with mountains and abundant clean water — sounds very interesting.

If you don't mind, I would love to hear a little more about the area where you are restoring the house.

In particular:

Which municipality or general region are you in?
What is the situation with water there — wells, springs, boreholes?
Does water remain reliable during the dry summer months?
Are there still reasonably affordable small rural properties in the surrounding area?
Are there particular things you would recommend checking before buying rural land in that region?

We are trying to be very careful about water availability, access, soil, fire risk and the legal possibilities of the land before making any decision.

We are not looking for anything large — just enough land for a small family homestead, food production and gradually increasing our self-sufficiency.

Thanks again for offering to help. Your experience could be extremely useful to us.

Best regards,

Charles

I found this show


It seems to be exactly what you need. good luck.

Charles, I hope for your success.  
Again, I have no real expertise, just my personal story.  Two months after beginning my home search ,  I was signing a deed for the house in Paço.  I had some luck and put hundreds of miles on my bike... not certain, but being sweaty and exhausted gave me a little street cred.  Look for the Ecopista da Dao, that is my spiritual center in PT.  I can send you info on one honest realtor, also a lawyer who helps me when necessary,  the system is hard to fully navigate solo.  
Where do you live now? Have you observed properties between 25k and 100k there? Land that is zoned agricultural will rarely allow a home being built, or even a parked caravan...but rules enforcement varies wildly across different regions.  
Research from afar can only help a bit, boots on the ground and face to face talks are needed, I believe.  
Are you using Idelista? New listings every day, but some "good deals" might be bogus, be wary and visit in person.  A refundable deposit ...2500E in my case.....is usually available if you find your dream location, but need more time for paperwork, financing, etc.

In your shoes, I would look for a small house that includes a big garden, then you aren't waiting two years for rezoning permission.  
In the mountainous interior, over a half million houses are empty, that was my goal from the outset.  It sounds like you might agree.  
Are you able to rebuild an old stone house by hand?  Skills with both wood and masonry? Hiring a construction crew is very involved, don't count on that as a certainty. Even buying and loading materials can often take 4 hours at a comprehensive store like Armazenes Reis, and delivery to a job site takes two weeks or more, so be prepared to work inside that system. It is worth the effort, I swear
Rico

One item that is not mentioned in the excellent video, Charles, that should be approached. I did pay more on my purchase , willingly, to have a kind lawyer research for me.  Many properties become abandoned if, for example,   the family of 18 can't decide how to sell or renovate.  In that case, you must be sure everyone signs off on the sale.   Also, are there any unpaid debts or liens on the property?  Without being sure , you could eventually be on the hook for those debts.  Don't be afraid to pay good people for their good work, you are paying also for your own peace of mind.  

Charles, just one suggestion for you to investigate, I found this on Idealista website, in Viseu , land plus older house not too far from my epicenter, Ecopista da Dao. It appears to have ample water, not too far from grocery, hospital, etc.  Just dropped 30 % in price
You can follow up with reference number, good luck. Pics to follow
Rico

For house over 200m2 and land with well, this is a price that is very fair.

Some details to pursue

Search a specific area on Idealista my friend, prices have increased since last year

And