Bargains for Brits on the island of Madeira (2024)

FAQs

Can UK citizens retire to Madeira? ›

As an EU citizen, you can stay in Madeira for up to 90 days without a visa. However, if you plan to retire in Madeira for an extended period, you will need to apply for a registration certificate (CRUE – Certificado do registo de Cidadão da Uniao Europeia) at the City/Town Hall.

There are more British expats in the South than in the North of Portugal. SEF figures for 2020 show that 23,027 lived in the Faro district, followed by Lisbon, with 9,629; Leiria, with 2,711; Coimbra, with 2,248, and Madeira with 1,342.

Even though the island has never been an official colony of the British empire, it was occupied by British troops twice, played an important role in British trade and tourism, and achieved quasi-colonial status between the 15 ^th and 19 ^th centuries.

- Language - The primary language spoken on Madeira Island, an autonomous region of Portugal, is Portuguese. Additionally, due to Madeira's popularity as a tourist destination, English is widely understood and spoken, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants.

The monthly budget for an expat in Funchal is less than €1100, making it around €200 cheaper than Porto and €400 cheaper than Lisbon. A one-bedroom apartment costs around €740, although you can always opt for renting a room which should cost less than €500.

Can foreigners buy property in Madeira? Yes, foreigners will have no restrictions buying property in Madeira, provided that they have the correct documentation. European nationals can buy without a residence permit, as long as they spend fewer than 183 days per year on the island.

Its affordability. Another pro for visiting Madeira is its affordability, especially when compared with other European travel destinations. The island is somewhat less expensive than the Canary Islands and a lot cheaper than many popular Mediterranean islands (e.g. Corsica, Ibiza, the famous Greek islands, etc.).

People here are VERY friendly and helpfull! The nature is stunning and breathtaking. The climate is very mild, last winter we had + 14° Celcius as a minimum :) Local food is very good and cheap.

Although this island offers a high quality of life, the cost of living in Madeira can be higher compared to other regions, especially in tourist areas. The island's economy, often centred on tourism, can limit employment options in certain sectors.

ELECTRICITY AND WATER

The electric current in the archipelago is 220 volts. There is plenty of water in Madeira and it is all drinkable and of excellent quality.

What food is Madeira known for? ›

At the end of the 19th century, after two vine diseases ravaged the Madeiran wine industry, many Madeirans emigrated to British Guiana. Madeirans were aware of prospects in British Guiana because a few of their compatriots had settled there as early as the 1820s.

I visited Madeira, Portugal, which is often referred to as the "Hawaii of Europe." Madeira offers a mild climate all year, rugged coastlines, and a bustling city center. I recommend checking out places like Monte Palace and the Cabo Girão skywalk.

Madeira's national currency is Euro (EUR), which comes in denominations of 5€, 10€, 20€, 50€, 100€, 200€ and 500€ notes. Coins come in 1, 2,5, 10, 20 and 50 cent and one and two euros denominations. Banks are open from 8:30 am to 15:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo. Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on February 5, 1985, in Madeira, Portugal to Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and José Diniz Aveiro.

UK nationals can still visit without a visa, but can only stay for up to 90 days within 180 days. If you'd like to visit for longer than this, then you will need to apply for a visa.

The popular D7 Visa (also known as the Portugal Retirement Visa and the Passive Income Visa) is designed for retirees able to sustain themselves with their own funding during their stay in Portugal. The Portugal Retirement Visa income requirement is to earn a passive income of €820.00 per month.

A question many people ask is “can I live in Portugal after Brexit?” Thankfully, the answer is “yes!” It's not quite as straightforward as it was in the pre-Brexit days of freedom of movement. However, the D7 retirement visa – the same as that required by any non-EU retirees – is relatively easy to obtain.

It is still possible for UK citizens to acquire a permanent residence permit in Portugal. This can provide them with long-term security and stability in the country.