Daily Life: Expat wellbeing news in Portugal

Portugal has been named the fourth best destination for retirees in the 2026 Annual Global Retirement Index by International Living. The country ranks behind Greece, Panama, and Costa Rica, making it the second highest-rated European destination in the report, which is primarily aimed at North American expatriates.

The Algarve has been named the second-best place in the world to retire in 2026 by the Overseas Retirement Index from Live and Invest Overseas. The region scored highly for its climate, safety, and healthcare, ranking behind Boquete, Panama, but ahead of other popular destinations in Mexico, France, Greece, and Spain.

The municipality of Vila Nova de Poiares in the Coimbra district is launching a new Portuguese language course for foreign residents. Starting in September, the program is designed to help English-speaking expats improve their language skills and support their integration into the local community.

The Portuguese League Against Cancer (Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro or LPCC) is offering free skin cancer screenings on beaches across the Algarve, Alentejo, and the Greater Lisbon area until August 29. Dermatologists are conducting observations between 9:00 and 18:00 to analyze skin changes and provide sun safety advice.

Data from the Directorate-General for Justice Policy (Direção-Geral da Política da Justiça or DGPJ) shows that the number of elderly crime victims rose by 30.5% between 2020 and 2025. This increase outpaces the growth rate of the general population, with property crimes remaining the most common offense reported to the Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP), the National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR), and the Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ).

A new international study, the STADA Health Report 2026, reveals that only 44% of Portuguese respondents feel they have control over managing their own health, the lowest among 20 countries surveyed. While the average across other nations reached 78%, Portugal fell significantly behind, with researchers identifying financial comfort as a primary factor in health autonomy. The findings suggest that personal health management is closely linked to economic stability.

Determined by the National Health Authority, the measure implies a reinforcement of monitoring and response capacity of health services throughout the mainland.

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera or IPMA) has warned of a severe heatwave lasting eight to 10 days across almost the entire country. Temperatures are expected to exceed 40°C in many areas, with nighttime relief unlikely, prompting health and meteorology experts to urge caution.

The Attorney General's Office (Procuradoria-Geral da República or PGR) has issued a warning regarding a phone scam targeting users of the PayPal payment application. Scammers, speaking in English, contact victims claiming suspicious transactions have occurred to steal personal credentials or trick them into making payments. The PGR advises the public to avoid sharing information or installing software suggested by unknown callers.

Eight cities in Portugal have been named among the 250 happiest in the world according to the 2026 Happy City Index. The report evaluates urban well-being based on factors such as air quality, safety, social cohesion, and mobility efficiency rather than just economic wealth.

Data from the National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estatística or INE) shows that 39.4% of people aged 16 and over in Portugal reported symptoms of generalized anxiety in 2025. This represents a significant increase from the previous year, with women, the elderly, and the unemployed identified as the most affected groups. The report highlights that 11.3% of the population experienced severe symptoms.

The SNS 24 psychological counselling line (Linha de Aconselhamento Psicológico) has answered 448,000 calls since its launch in 2020. The service is staffed by 170 psychologists and has been available in English since 2022 to support residents and health professionals. Most callers seek help for anxiety and crisis situations, with the service now averaging 430 consultations daily.

Almost a month after Storm Kristin, some residents still cannot return home; Expresso reports that in Souto da Carpalhosa one family is living in makeshift accommodation after losing their house and have delayed plans to return from Switzerland. The report underscores that recovery is uneven and that personal displacement continues even where repair work on infrastructure has begun. Homeowners and renters in affected areas should track local authority updates and insurance or social-assistance options.

Correio da Manhã reports Almada set up a support office after severe weather and landslides forced 476 people from their homes. The municipality is coordinating temporary shelter and assistance for those affected while monitoring further slope stability risks. Residents in the area should follow municipal guidance and local emergency updates.

Público reports Brazilian businessman and former Big Brother Brasil contestant Vagner Lara was robbed by around a dozen men after a family dinner at Lisbon's Praça do Comércio; he described feeling traumatised and said there was no police presence in the area. The incident underlines risks in busy tourist spots at night and has prompted calls for better local policing. Visitors and residents in central Lisbon should take standard safety precautions, especially after dark.

E-Redes reports roughly 11,000 customers in the areas hit by storm 'Kristin' were still without electricity as of 08:00, with the company urging caution and providing local updates. The figure covers affected localities and may change as crews restore lines and inspect damage. If you live in the affected areas, check E-Redes outage maps, follow local safety guidance and prepare for possible short-term supply interruptions. Homeowners with damage should document it for insurers and contact their electricity supplier.

Update: Público confirms 11,000 without electricity

Público reports the same E-Redes snapshot, saying about 11,000 customers remained without power in affected localities as of 08:00; restoration crews continue inspections and repair work.

The Portuguese Insurance Association (APS) said more than 100,000 claims have been filed after the recent bad weather, with about half reported in the last week. APS added that roughly 75% of cases have already seen initial assessment, advance payments or partial/total settlements, while others await documentation. Policyholders seeking payouts should contact their insurer promptly and check what documentation is needed for fast processing.

Update: APS says half of claims filed in recent week

Dinheiro Vivo and Observador report APS data showing just over 100,000 claims were filed (with about 50% lodged in the most recent week) and that roughly 75% of cases have received some assessment, advance payment or settlement; outstanding files are mainly waiting for paperwork.