Emigrating to Portugal: Will and Henk in Search of Their Dream Home

In early November, the moment finally arrived: Will (59) and Henk (67) left everything behind in the Netherlands and emigrated to Portugal. Accompanied by their two dogs and cat, they set off for their new destination full of enthusiasm and a touch of nervousness. Their house in the Netherlands was sold, their jobs were resigned, and they officially deregistered from the country. The adventure could begin! Fun fact: They had never been to Portugal before!

The first step? Finding a suitable place they could truly call “home.” During November and December, Will and Henk stayed in one of our apartments, a comfortable base from which to calmly start their search for their dream home in Portugal. From there, they visited various locations, got acquainted with Portuguese culture, and enjoyed the stunning landscapes. Their vision was clear: to find a house where they could grow old together, surrounded by nature, peace, and their beloved pets.

Curious to see how Will and Henk’s emigration and house hunt unfold? Read their story here on our blog and get inspired☀️!

Why did you choose Central Portugal as the location to buy a house?

“That’s a long story, do you have a moment?” It all started with my son’s search for his ancestors. His last name, da Silva, led him to uncover a fascinating history. To his surprise, he discovered that his distant ancestors were Knights Templar. Determined to learn more about his heritage, he decided to vacation in Tomar, the city of the Templars, with his girlfriend.

What began as a journey of discovery into the past quickly turned into love at first sight. They packed their bags and moved to this beautiful place.

Will: “We had already been toying with the idea of leaving the Netherlands for some time. It felt like the country was changing, and we longed for more space, peace, and freedom.” But where to? That question was quickly answered when our son settled in Tomar. We didn’t even need to consider other parts of Portugal—the choice was clear.

How did you approach the process of house hunting?

“We sold our house in the Netherlands at the right time. Thanks to the equity, we were able to start looking for a beautiful home in Portugal. With a clear budget in mind, we began searching online.” Websites like Idealista.pt and Casa.sapo.pt proved ideal for exploring the property market.

Will’s son already lived in Portugal, so he could also look around locally. We knew exactly what we wanted: a move-in ready home. We weren’t interested in major renovations. We handled everything ourselves, without the involvement of a real estate agent. We did the viewings and negotiations ourselves.

The seller was also Dutch, which made communication and the process much easier. Still, we wanted everything to be properly arranged. That’s why we eventually hired a Dutch lawyer who also speaks Portuguese to carefully review all the documents and draft the purchase contract.

Een zwembad in het oude waterreservoir

Prachtig uitzicht

What were the biggest challenges during the buying process?

“We didn’t experience many barriers. However, the language remains a challenge. Although I’m starting to understand more, Portuguese is not an easy language to master. Fortunately, many Portuguese people speak good English, which helps us a lot with daily communication and handling practical matters.

At the moment, we are not yet registered in Portugal, but we plan to do so once the house transfer has taken place. We’ve heard from several people around us that this process can be tricky.”

Were there any surprises during the purchase, such as hidden costs or administrative requirements?

“Fortunately, we haven’t encountered any unexpected surprises during the purchase so far. We prepared well, and it definitely helped that my son had already gone through this entire process last year. His experience provided us with valuable insights and made it much easier for us.

As mentioned earlier, we sold our house in the Netherlands at the right time, which gave us a clear budget. We absolutely didn’t want a mortgage, so we consciously looked for homes that fell within our budget. We made sure not to exceed it.”

What can you tell us about the condition of the property and any renovations?

“At first glance, our new house looks good. Fortunately, only a few things need to be adjusted to our taste, such as the kitchen and the flooring in some rooms. Of course, we might encounter some surprises once we actually start living there, but that’s part of the process.

One thing I do find a bit nerve-wracking is the septic tank. We have a general idea of where it is, but its exact condition is still unclear. Additionally, the house isn’t connected to the sewer system, although the municipal connection is there. The problem? Our plot of land has varying heights, so connecting to the sewer isn’t as straightforward.

We also want to address the heating. Portuguese houses are often poorly insulated, so a good heating solution is important. Right now, the house has a wood stove, but we’re considering installing a pellet stove. It’s safer, more efficient, and easier to use.”

How is daily life in Central Portugal?

“We are already enjoying ourselves, even though at the moment it’s mostly a matter of waiting for the key. Fortunately, it’s only a few more days before we can officially move into our new house!

What immediately stands out to us is the kindness of the Portuguese people. We experience this time and time again, even at the supermarket. A great example is the gentleman at the butcher’s counter: he communicates with hand gestures and always does his best to help us. Of course, you occasionally meet someone who’s less friendly, but thankfully that’s rare.

Another noticeable thing is how active older people are here. You see them everywhere – walking down the street with heavy shopping bags, working in their gardens, or busy around their homes. They seem surprisingly healthy and energetic in their later years. Everywhere you look, things are neat and well-maintained.

Another difference we’ve noticed is the standard of living. It’s a bit lower here in Portugal, but people seem happier. In the Netherlands, we often strive for ‘more, more, more,’ whereas here life is simpler and quieter. It seems like people here are content with what they have.”

What tips do you have for others who want to buy a house in Portugal?

During our search for a house in Portugal, we quickly learned: don’t blindly trust just one real estate agent. It can happen that agents primarily work in their own interest, without really distinguishing between the buying and selling sides. That took some getting used to for us.

Some sellers can be quite aggressive in their approach. They sometimes try to rush you or put pressure on you to close a deal quickly. This is exactly why it’s important to stay well-informed and take your time when making decisions.

Our advice? Broaden your search, possibly work with multiple parties, and be critical. By doing your homework and not acting hastily, you stay in control and avoid unnecessary surprises.

How did you handle the paperwork and legal aspects?

“Especially for important or complicated steps, we deliberately chose experts who speak both Portuguese and Dutch or English. This made the process much more manageable.

Importing our car
Importing a car to Portugal involves a lot of paperwork and regulations, including various forms, inspections, and taxes. We sought help from someone who knew exactly what needed to be done. This saved us a lot of stress and time.
Drafting the purchase contract
When buying our house, we naturally wanted to ensure that everything was legally correct. So, we hired a lawyer who carefully drafted the purchase contract and checked all the documents. This gave us peace of mind and ensured that everything went smoothly and correctly.
Arranging insurance
Taking out insurance is complicated enough, but when you don’t speak the language well, it can be a huge challenge. Fortunately, we received help from someone who knows the Portuguese insurance market and could explain everything clearly to us in Dutch.”

Less than a month to go until we open our doors ag

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Wow, what an incredible moment for us! 🏆 We’r

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What are your future plans regarding living in Portugal?

“Very simple: permanently! We have no plans to ever return to the Netherlands. Portugal is now our home, and we’re looking forward to building a peaceful and relaxed life here.

We hope to enjoy the simplicity and tranquility the country offers. One of the things I’m most excited about is gardening. Our garden is enormous – about 5800 square meters. It’s the perfect place to grow our own vegetables and flowers.

In short, we are extremely happy with our decision to live in Portugal and look forward to leading a peaceful and happy life here!”