en 
According to the study “Heading for a “Better Life”? Why
Swedes Move to Portugal” by Daniel Rauhut and published in the Nordic Journal of Migration Research, the majority of respondents to the study cited
“disenchantment with Sweden, political correctness and a perceived collapse of
the Swedish welfare system” as the reason behind their move from Sweden to
Portugal. However away from dissatisfaction with Sweden, the positive of
aspects of Portugal also shine through as reasons behind the move.
The study involved in depth interviews with Swedes
permanently living in Portugal to discover what made them take the plunge,
while also attempting to find out the type of people who are making the move
south.
Swedes in Portugal
While there has been a long tradition of British, Irish and
German citizen choosing to move to Portugal permanently, this trend from Sweden
has been more recent. Statistics from INE show that there has been a marked
increase in the number of Swedish citizens choosing Portugal in recent years.
The INE data shows that there was a very gradual increase in
the number of Swedes in Portugal from 2000, from just over 1,000 to almost
1,500 in 2007. There was then a sharp
decline in 2008, in line with the global financial crisis, and then the gradual
increase again until 2015 when number began to rise sharply up to a peak of
4,900 in 2019.
The latest data which shows numbers form 2017, shows that
Swedes moving to Portugal are clustered around the Algarve (30.2%) and Lisbon
(30.8%) and this number is predicted to have increased further as more people
from Sweden choose Portugal as their new home.
Why Portugal?
According to the study: “Almost all of the respondents
claimed that the climate and the food made them chose Portugal as a country of
destination. Unanimously, the respondents also highlighted the friendliness,
politeness and welcoming mentality of the Portuguese, which played an important
role for the choice of destination. However, these were not the only reasons
for choosing Portugal.”
The study found that for low earners the attractive cost of
living was an important factor, while for others the beneficial tax regimes
were a key factor in choosing Portugal over other destinations.
However quality of life as a whole was a significant factor
for the majority with many highlighting the level of security, low crime rates
and also the health care system as being instrumental in their choice. One respondent said: “I still meet people who
think that Portugal is a poor country… Health care is superb, which people do
not believe”.
A sense of community was also seen as being key: “You still
have a butcher you go to and you get fantastic raw materials only when it comes
to meat, vegetables on the market – it is really locally produced …And wine …
where you can also go directly to the vineyard and buy”. Another respondent said
that Portugal reminds them of Sweden when they were young in the 1960s and
1970s. “Portugal reminds me of Sweden when I was a kid … and this is something
I like”.
Moving to get a life
The study concludes that while there has been much public
debate about wealthy Swedes moving to Portugal for tax benefits in the past,
the reality of it being only high net worth individuals coming to Portugal is
actually far from the truth.
Indeed there are wealthy immigrants living permanently in
Portugal coming from Sweden however, “The findings in this study indicate that
it is not the wider middle class who are leaving Sweden for Portugal, and
although a few of the emigrants are very wealthy indeed, the majority of the respondents
are to be found on the lower level of the social hierarchy. Poignantly, the
majority of this latter group does not move to get a better life; they move to
get a life”.
Originally from the UK, Daisy has been living and working in Portugal for more than 20 years. She has worked in PR, marketing and journalism, and has been the editor of The Portugal News since 2019. Jornalista 7920
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The information is outdated. The research paper was published in 2021 and looked at the trends before the year 2019. A lot has changed since then, most importantly the tax regime between Sweden and Portugal.
Any statistics on how many Swedish people moved here "to get a life" since 2021?
By Annie from Algarve on 14 Feb 2023, 22:53
to get away from the migrant crisis in Sweden I would hazard.
By Ian from Beiras on 15 Feb 2023, 06:38
It’s very sad as Sweden not many years ago was one of the safest countries in the world, now gun crimes daily, no go areas…….it’s a disgrace what politicians have allowed to go on. We all know why Swedish people are leaving Sweden and I don’t blame them. Let’s hope Portugal can maintain good border security for its people.
By JG from Algarve on 15 Feb 2023, 07:04
For my wife (Canadian) and I (Swedish) the move to Portugal where a choice that came down to a vaierty of thing. To put things in context, we lived collectively in 12 diffeent countries. By lived I mean worked for atlest more than 1 year. This means, going through all necessary paperwork etc... And I can honestly say that Portugal are the best country we/I lived in. Although, it took some time to find the right district for us, as the diffrent region's varies alot. However we finally settled on the north (Bragança/ Vinhais ) where the people have a huge heart and overall positive attitude. Basically, any stranger is a new friend until proven otherwise. And after living in so many countries we learned some important things. For instance and perhaps the most important lesson, try to speak the language no matter how bad you are. You can't learn the culture if you don't understand the language.Then, never compair your current situation with your "home" country, meaning complaining about how long things take or how they do things will only slow your integration, you moved country for a reason embrace they change. And finally, we can say, we are home, and this thanks to Portuguese people. And especially the Tras-os'montes spirit of caring. We love it here!!
By Dan from Other on 15 Feb 2023, 09:12
I thought they were moving back since the tax rules changed in 2022? This seems like a marketing piece aimed at trying to lure some Swedes here without fully understanding the new tax implications in their own country. Not a well researched article.
By Stuart Wood from Algarve on 15 Feb 2023, 10:00
Mobility is on a high. In any country you will find a set of nationalities that are among the top immigration nationalities. Nr of Portuguese entering Sweden was 426 in 2018 (highest in 20 years), so there's indeed an influx trend here.
By Andre from Alentejo on 15 Feb 2023, 11:03
And yet, year after year, there Sweden still is in the top 10 "happiest countries in the world", along with Denmark, Finland and Norway.
By Annie from Algarve on 15 Feb 2023, 17:13
This is no surprise that Sweden or other immigrants from other countries want to relocate and start their lives in a country like Portugal who cares about people. It is spectacular that Portugal offers good clean safe living, kind and hospitable friendly people and affordable living conditions, great health care, among other things compared to most countries today!
By Lisa from Other on 15 Feb 2023, 23:07
I don't have any doubts that Portugal is appealing for retired Swedes, due to the Portugual low cost of living when compared to Sweden. The tax benefits, security, good food, and great weather are also excellent benefits that take the attention of foreigners looking to live abroad. But Portugal is not a nice country for Portuguese people. The salaries are too low and more than ever the younger generations are moving abroad to have better conditions of living. In addition, Portugal has severe problems with politics. The cases of corruption flood all the Portuguese news. The most trained Portuguese generation ever is leaving the country, so I don't believe the conditions for Portuguese people will become better.
By André from Porto on 15 Feb 2023, 23:07
Stuart - I think you're right. Many Swedes basically decided to keep their main home and tax residence in Sweden to avoid double-taxation. They can still own properties here and come for long holidays (they are in the Schengen area), as long as they can prove they spend enough time in Sweden.
By Annie from Algarve on 16 Feb 2023, 11:27
I'm so tired of expats who refuse to acknowledge any of Portugal's shortcomings. The country is suffering a shortage of nurses and doctors. Government workers are frequently maddeningly stupid. Old people can't alway afford all of their medications. There is crime in the Algarve. There is a brain drain of young people who are looking for a living wage. It's not easy to find good contractors . Nice place to live, yes. Garden of Eden, no.
By Rebecca Rothschild from USA on 20 Feb 2023, 20:52
To By Rebecca Rothschild from USA
Well garden of Eden or not at least is safer that your own country with all the guns and crime and the drugs especial fentanyl that is destroying your country . And add their the complete nutters of religious sects and another cults that are destroying the country plus the fascists groups that end that end up leading the country to civil war . Portugal was problems but compared to your problems I prefer live in Portugal than live in a country that is complete out of control .
By Isabel Oliveira from Lisbon on 21 Feb 2023, 11:37