Emigrating from Scotland to Portugal: Free event for holiday home buyers & retirees wanting a place in the sun

Now, the Portuguese government is wooing Scots with fast-track retirement visas for those with stable incomes.

To find out more, you need to register for a free information event taking place in Edinburgh this November.

Why choose Portugal

The recent Global Retirement Report from Global Citizen Solutions, one of Europe’s leading consultancies for second citizenship, residency, and relocation, examined 44 countries in detail, using official government metrics and international indexes from each country.

Portugal was ranked at number one, with the country’s “high personal safety, supportive local attitudes, and the ability to communicate and participate fully in daily life” among the top benefits cited.

Using data from Numbeo and other international indexes, the report observed that “Portugal’s high standards of living and quality healthcare, combined with relatively low day-to-day expenses [are] an ideal combination for retirees on fixed incomes, in particular”.

A pleasant climate, charming cities and idyllic rural and coastal scenery all add to Portugal’s attractions as a retirement destination, with the Global Retirement Report pointing out that early retirees are also drawn to the Iberian country.

Holiday home, permanent home or work from home

If you are thinking of Portugal in terms of buying a holiday home there, or moving there to retire or work from home, then come along to meet experts from the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK, who will be in Edinburgh on Friday 21 November 2025 at the Scotsman Hotel, at the Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars.

Portugal’s D7 visa, which offers a path to long-term residency rights in exchange for proof of stable income, means that the process side of moving there is clear and easy to navigate. The report also noted that Portugal boasts one of Europe’s fastest processing times for passive income and retiree visa applications, with routine waits of only two to four months.

Myriad other factors supported Portugal’s top-of-the-table position as the world’s best retirement destination. These ranged from social infrastructure considerations to the country’s high Global Peace Index security scores and English proficiency ratings. The country’s proximity to the UK is another plus, making it easy for friends and family to visit.

Your questions answered at free event

For retirees, early retirees and those currently eagerly planning their golden years, the Moving to Portugal Show & Seminars is making expert advice and guidance freely available to all visitors at its upcoming event in Edinburgh.

Taking place on Friday 21st November from 12.30 to 7pm, the shows will deliver expert seminars on legal and financial planning, property investment, healthcare access, pensions, relocation logistics, residency permits and more.

Visitors will also be able to network with presenters and a carefully curated selection of exhibitors, with the entire event focused around serving the informational and practical needs of those considering moving to Portugal.

The Edinburgh Show will also feature estate agents and representatives from multiple regions of Portugal, showcasing a wide range of property types and price points.

“Portugal is an outstanding destination for retirees and well-deserving of being crowned the world’s top retirement location. We would encourage anyone currently considering their retirement, and the quality of life they want from it, to come along and find out more. From relocation, property, finance and legal specialists to those who have already made the move from Scotland to Portugal, our goal is to connect retirees with the information and contacts they need for a seamless move,” said Christina Hippisley, General Manager of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK

The Moving to Portugal Show is free to attend, with registration required online in advance: https://MTP-Edinburgh.eventbrite.co.uk