"Living in Portugal" attracts middle-class Americans to move to Portugal

The second "Living in Portugal" event in San Francisco, California, had a full house of middle-class North Americans who are in search of the Portuguese dream, the event's creator, Bruce Hawker, told Lusa

"We had maybe two or three couples of Luso descendants. It was almost entirely Americans", said the head of the Algarve company Open Media, which has been organising events in the United States to promote Portugal as an emigration destination.

After successful events in California in February, Open Media returned to San Francisco last week with several Portuguese companies seeking new clients, from property developers to expatriate insurers. 

Bruce Hawker said that about half the audience - which numbered 150 participants - had already visited Portugal and many are interested in buying homes, with budgets of up to a million euros. It is a middle-class value in the context of California, he explained. 

"The companies that were present were very happy with the people who turned up, many already with visas in place, others looking for last minute opportunities to take advantage of the "gold visa," he said.

He added that two of the companies most sought after by the audience were Medal Insurance, which provides insurance, and Global International Relocation, which specialises in helping international moves ranging from transporting pets to classic cars. 

Another much sought-after company at the event was the law firm Martínez-Echevarría & Ferreira, which helps those wanting to move to Portugal with aspects such as powers of attorney, rental contracts, tax numbers and even opening bank accounts. 

"There is a panoply of services that they need when they move to Portugal and we help clients find them," chief executive Ricardo Ferreira told Lusa. For example, the company can help determine which visa best suits the situation: D7, a D2 or gold, while they last. 

What profile of North Americans do you want to live in Portugal?

There is some diversity in the stakeholders, ranging from 40-year-old couples who want to work remotely to pensioners who want to enjoy their pension in another country. 

"Most of them are middle class," the lawyer stressed. "These are people who really want to go and live in Portugal, who are overwhelmed by the cost of living in the United States, the insecurity, the political situation, the house prices," he explained. "They look at Portugal where prices are still very attractive, with very good security and great food."

As an example, the lawyer pointed out that a glass of wine in San Francisco costs at least than 20 dollars. "In Portugal you can buy a bottle for the price of a glass of wine here". 

There is also the issue of services and healthcare, which is extremely expensive in the United States. "There are several things that attract Americans to Portugal," he said. "You can tell in conversations that they have already made the decision and want to know what needs to be done, what visas to apply for, some want to set up their own business," he added.

"Living in Portugal" is now heading to New York, where it will make its debut on 27 June at an event where Bruce Hawker hopes more Portuguese descendants will show up. The official also promised to return to California in 2024, with other cities potentially in the pipeline.

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