Portugal: One of the Safest Countries to Live in 2024

In a world with conflicts breaking out in every corner, it is no surprise that more people are seeking out safe havens to relocate to. Countries that have a high quality of life, low crime rates, and are considered to be amongst the safest in the world.

Under this context, it is no surprise that Portugal has become a favored location for many, from millionaires to families, from retirees to young professionals; expats from all walks of life have their sights set on Portugal. One of the key deciding factors is the fact that Portugal is officially considered to be one of the safest countries in the world.

Global Peace Index (GPI) 2024

How do you measure which countries are the safest? While there will always be margins for error, the GPI is a unique tool that was created by the Institue for Economics and Peace (IEP) to provide a comprehensive ranking of nations’ and regions’ levels of peacefulness.

The GPI analyzes the level of peacefulness in a country under three main pillars:

1. Societal safety and security
2. Ongoing domestic and international conflict
3. Militarization

The overall level of peacefulness is determined by 23 indicators, including the number of internal and external violent conflicts, levels of distrust, political instability, potential for terrorist acts, military expenditure, and relations with neighboring countries. These indicators are compiled and scored to show the level of peacefulness in each country.

What makes the GPI such a reliable index?

The GPI is more than simply a measure of current peace levels; it serves as a comprehensive tool for analyzing and understanding the factors that drive peace. By highlighting the most peaceful and least peaceful nations and regions’, we can get a clear picture of the potential risks and areas that need improvement.

Governments, NGOs, and researchers widely use the GPI to strategize for conflict resolution, build peacebuilding initiatives, and develop policies, with the index providing valuable insights into the varying levels of peace and stability on a global scale.

Other High Performing Countries

The Nordic countries – Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Iceland – are renowned for being amongst the most peaceful nations in the world, with Iceland taking the top spot in the GPI 2024. These nations are characterized by low crime rates, world-leading social welfare systems, and harmonious societies.

What these countries lack, however, is the climate, which, while ideal for winter sports enthusiasts, may not appeal to those seeking to enjoy a warmer climate where it is possible to enjoy the great outdoors for much of the year. For this reason, southern Europe is the perfect place, combining sublime weather with a high quality of life, which is also considerably more affordable than other European countries.

Taking a look at Southern European countries, while Spain and Italy are also top contenders, each performs significantly lower than Portugal in the GPI ranking, clocking in 23rd and 33rd, respectively.

This can be due to several factors, with Italy preforming badly in the militarization pillar, while previous conflict in Spain such as the Spain–ETA conflict which came to an end in 2011 still creating some tensions alongside separatist movement in Catalonia, may have contributed to Spain not ranking higher. Tensions such as this do not seem to happen in Portugal.

What Makes Portugal Stand Out

The fact that Portugal is a safe country is a massive pull factor for expats looking for stability and security when it comes to relocation. Alongside this, the stunning beaches, bustling cities, and range of activities on offer, from water sports to world-class golf courses add to the county’s appeal.

The variety of residency options, including the D7 Visa (retirement visa), the Golden Visa, and the Digital Nomad Visa, also make it relatively easy to relocate to the country, with residency options to suit any profile.

Portugal also is home to 51 top quality international schools and has an excellent healthcare system, with private healthcare very affordable, particularly in comparison to private healthcare in the USA. Living in Portugal, you will also find prices, from groceries to eating out, to be quite affordable.

The country has also become a thriving tech hub, with cities such as Lisbon, Porto, and Braga, attracting startups and tech companies from across the globe who are taking advantage of the business incentives on offer. The fact that English is widely spoken is the cherry on top, whereby it is very easy to get around if you don’t speak Portuguese, with the country ranking in eighth place in the 2023 English Proficiency Index.

Portugal’s real estate market a prime investment

For those interested in investing in property overseas, the housing market in Portugal can make your money go a lot further – and there are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in the country. The average house prices in Portugal are significantly lower than in comparable locations in the United States and other Western European countries. With high demand, investing in Portuguese real estate is also a smart move to secure a nice return on your investment.

And, for luxury buyers, both the Algarve and Porto have been pinpointed as being two of the best locations in the world to invest in luxury real estate according to the Knight Frank’s The Wealth Report 2023.