Husband wants us to go to live in Portugal

62 Granny

I think you would still get state pension increases if you moved to Portugal, unlike Australia for example.

But if the OP is so against moving, then I think it’s a definite no-no. You must both want such a complete change.

Friends of ours moved to live in Portugal permanently. Their only DD married a Portuguese man, and had a family, they went to see more of them all. I think they would be comfortably off over here, sold a nice property and bought an apartment there.

But completely different scenario, of course, to the OP.

62Granny

You also both need to be aware that your British state Pension will not rise once you move abroad and stay at the rate it is when you move, you can't claim things pension credit or Attendance allowance if one of you falls ill. So you will be living on your sorely savings.

Are you sure that is the case 62Granny we can claim other benefits and get the state pension rises here in France.

We moved to France when we retired and love it but have animals, friends, voluntary work etc to keep us occupied. From my observations of other couples who have moved here it never works well unless both partners are equally committed to the move. Women especially miss children and grandchildren. Rules around income etc have become stricter since we moved here. Could you divide your time between Portugal & UK as a compromise.

I know a young person who has moved to Lisbon from London and adores Portugal. Living accommodation is much cheaper and she is hoping to buy her first home next year. Impossible here. Also the climate, food and a very friendly and supportive work community are all much better than here. Obviously retirees will have different needs?

You also both need to be aware that your British state Pension will not rise once you move abroad and stay at the rate it is when you move, you can't claim things pension credit or Attendance allowance if one of you falls ill. So you will be living on your sorely savings.

Google says you need 920 Euros per person per month to live there as a pensioner.

Sadgrandma

I think you need to put your foot down and make it absolutely clear that you do not want to move. Give him all the reasons that you have given us. Living somewhere is very different from being on holiday and I suspect he too would soon get bored.

It is quite obvious that you don’t want to go. You have a job and enjoy your life here. You were even bored during the holiday. If you decide to have a few weeks there, make sure you have plenty of things to keep you occupied.

Witzend, that is the same for any non EU citizens including UK.
Also the weather can be bad there too depending on where you are in Portugal
A positive is that buying a property can be more affordable than the UK

Ask him to find out what health care costs in Portugal, how you would be placed if one or other of you had to move into a care home later on, and whether you will need to pay tax both in Portugal and in your native country.

Finally, whether he wants to be buried in Portugal or not and whether you will both have to re-write your wills to ensure that they are valid in botoh countries.

In Spain an estimate from a tradesman is only binding with regards to cost if it has been notarilized by the public notary, which of course requires you to pay a fee. I do not know if the same applies in Portugal, but it may well.

Finally, you both need to learn the language - English is not spoken automatically by everyone of our ages, or even by professionals (doctors, lawyers, undertakers etc,)

So take a long hard look at the practicalities and make him do so too, before considering a move.

Might a compromise be possible? Spend part of the year in Portugal, part at home?

AFAIK you need proof of a certain amount - quite a lot! - of savings if you want to move there. At least that’s what I’ve heard from American friends who were thinking of retiring there, but maybe it’s different for Americans. (They still haven’t gone and escaped the New Hampshire winters!)

It is not easy to move to Portugal from the UK.My ex husband has bought a house there,given proof of having a reasonable income( I think that there is a minimum requirement) opened a Portugese Bank Account,but still isn't allowed Portugese residency until about 7 years have passed. He has a home in the Uk and has to live between the 2.
He is very happy with the time he spends in Portugal and his Portugese neighbours have been very welcoming and kind to him but it does not appeal to me.

I think you need to put your foot down and make it absolutely clear that you do not want to move. Give him all the reasons that you have given us. Living somewhere is very different from being on holiday and I suspect he too would soon get bored.