Thumbnail image credits to Mathias: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ4QjYMjAjW/

Connect with Mathias Explores:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mathias.explores/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mathiasexplores

Meet Mathias Fernandes, the photographer behind Mathias Explores and the guy who earned the nickname "The Algarve Guy" for knowing all the best spots along Portugal's southern coast. With 80k Instagram followers, Mathias has built a thriving photography and videography business capturing the landscapes he calls home.

Mathias shares how a simple trip to the Azores with his mom sparked a photography journey that went from casual hobby to full career. Through consistency and sharing his work on social media, opportunities naturally evolved into client work. We talk about how Instagram growth has changed over the years, why he's shifting focus to YouTube for deeper storytelling, and what keeps the Algarve fresh after shooting it for nearly a decade.

But this conversation goes beyond photography. Mathias reflects on what makes Portuguese culture special, from the slow pace of meals to the 20-minute goodbye rituals with family. He explains why quality of life here beats the hustle culture elsewhere and why even after traveling the world for work, he always comes back grateful to live in the Algarve.

Perfect for aspiring photographers building a business, content creators navigating social media changes, digital nomads considering Portugal, or anyone curious about what slow living actually looks like in practice.

Chapters00:00 Introduction: The Algarve Guy00:24 How He Got That Nickname01:35 Photography Started on a Trip to the Azores02:41 From Action Cam to Full Frame Cameras04:04 When Hobby Became Career05:40 Growing on Instagram: Then vs Now08:04 80k Followers and Staying Inspired36:29 What He Tells People About Living Here38:22 The Portuguese Way: Slow Meals and Long Goodbyes41:16 What's Next: Focusing on YouTube43:38 Connecting With Fishermen in Ferragudo

➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

Check out our Instagram https://instagram.com/algarveaddicts - we'd love to connect with you there!

Is Portugal still worth moving to in 2025? With rising property costs, changing visa policies, and concerns about overtourism, it's a legitimate question that deserves an honest answer based on current realities.

Nick Smith, Commercial Director at Algarve Addicts and Chartered Surveyor (MRICS), provides an unfiltered assessment of Portugal's relocation landscape. This isn't a promotional session or cheerleading for Portugal. It's a straightforward analysis of what relocating to Portugal actually looks like right now.

What we cover:

• Financial reality: How Portugal's cost of living compares to other European destinations in 2025

• Immigration updates: What's actually changing with visa policies and how it affects your plans

• Quality of life comparison: Portugal today versus five years ago

• The "missed the boat" myth: Whether it's genuinely too late or just noise

• Who should still move: The types of people for whom Portugal still makes complete sense (and who might want to reconsider)

This webinar gives you the information you need to make an informed relocation decision for YOUR specific situation.

About Nick Smith:

Nick is a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) with extensive property industry experience from London's global firms and boutique agencies. After making his own spontaneous move to the Algarve, he's helped countless families navigate their relocation journeys. As a family man himself, Nick understands that getting it right means more than just finding the perfect property - it's about the entire lifestyle shift.

Ready to explore your Portugal relocation options?

Contact us: https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

Follow us on Instagram: / algarveaddicts

Subscribe for more honest insights about relocating to Portugal!

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction and Overview of Portugal's Appeal

00:03:01 Cost of Living in Portugal: A Deep Dive

00:05:56 Visas and Immigration Policies: What's Changing?

00:08:52 Quality of Life: Then vs. Now

00:11:51 Housing Market Insights: Renting vs. Buying

00:15:03 The Future of Property Prices in Portugal

00:17:47 Navigating the Real Estate Market: Tips and Strategies

00:20:56 Q&A Session: Addressing Audience Queries

00:34:44 Navigating the Car Market in Portugal

00:39:45 Understanding Property Taxes and Insurance

00:42:54 Cost of Living Insights

00:44:29 Changes in Visa and Immigration Policies

00:50:10 Quality of Life: Then and Now

01:08:31 Who Portugal is For: Lifestyle Considerations

01:11:50 The Cost of Living and Quality of Life

01:13:36 Investment Opportunities in Portugal

01:15:12 Future Outlook: Is Portugal a Good Long-Term Choice?

01:17:01 Tourism Dynamics: The Summer Experience

01:20:51 Navigating Property and Legal Challenges

01:22:48 Final Thoughts

#MoveToPortugal #PortugalRelocation #LivingInPortugal #AlgarveLife #ExpatLife #PortugalVisa #DigitalNomadPortugal #RetireInPortugal #PortugalRealEstate #Algarve

Connect with Coach Kat:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kat.cut.fit/Website: https://www.katcutfit.com/

Meet Coach Kat, an online mobility and flexibility coach who runs her thriving business from Albufeira. With over 100k Instagram followers, she helps people move pain-free and regain strength through her online coaching platform. Her approach to relocation? Just show up and figure it out as you go.

Kat shares how she chose Albufeira simply because it was the first apartment she found, why she's stayed, and what makes the town work for entrepreneurs and digital nomads. We talk about the reality of getting your NIF and residency as an EU citizen, how she built community by starting "Walk and Talk" hiking meetups every Saturday, and why she learned Portuguese through one-on-one coaching instead of group classes.

You'll discover what daily life looks like in Albufeira beyond the party reputation, how to find your people when you arrive, and why being present matters more than planning everything perfectly from abroad. Kat also shares her perspective on why the Algarve attracts people who want to build businesses while actually enjoying life.

Perfect for digital nomads and online entrepreneurs considering Portugal, anyone curious about Albufeira beyond the tourist stories, or people who want practical advice on building community and learning Portuguese after relocating.

Chapters00:02 Introduction: Turning People Into Supple Leopards01:12 100k on Instagram and Running Business From Albufeira01:40 How She Chose Albufeira (First Apartment She Found)02:52 What's Actually Good About Albufeira04:06 Getting Your NIF as an EU Citizen05:54 Building Community and Making Friends06:28 Starting the Albufeira Meetup Groups07:30 Creating Walk and Talk: Saturday Hiking Meetups20:13 Learning Portuguese: The One-on-One Approach23:08 What Makes Portugal Different From Other Countries25:38 Advice for Newcomers: Just Arrive and Figure It Out27:19 How to Connect With Coach Kat

➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

Check out our Instagram @algarveaddicts - we'd love to connect with you there!

Meet Simone Cimiluca-Radzins, an American entrepreneur and community builder who went from Santa Monica to the South of France to Lagos, all while raising a young daughter. Her story shows what happens when you trust your gut about where you're meant to be.

After building a life in the French Riviera through COVID lockdowns, Simone and her French husband visited Lisbon in January 2022. The warmth and openness they felt was undeniable. Within months, they'd packed up and moved to Lagos based on a consultation call and pure intuition, without ever visiting first.

Simone shares the reality of that first year (she didn't actually like it at first), how she went from feeling isolated to co-organizing TEDx Lagos, and why building community became central to her life here. We also tackle the complexities of being a foreigner in Portugal right now and practical ways expats can integrate and give back.

Perfect for families considering Portugal with young kids, entrepreneurs building location-independent businesses, or anyone navigating what it means to be a thoughtful expat in today's Portugal.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Entrepreneur, Mom, Community Builder

01:58 Life in the South of France During COVID

03:18 Having a Baby During French Lockdown

05:36 The Lisbon Trip That Changed Everything

07:09 Booking a Consultation and Choosing Lagos Sight Unseen

08:06 Landing in Lagos and the First Impressions

39:59 Words of Advice for Future Relocators

➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

Check out our Instagram @algarveaddicts - we'd love to connect with you there!

Connect with Elena: https://freedomseekerphoto.com/

Meet Elena Dimitrova, the Bulgarian marketer and photographer behind Freedom Seeker who's building a life of creative freedom in Lagos. From discovering marketing through Seth Godin's "Purple Cow" at 15 to co-organizing TEDx Lagos, Elena's journey shows what happens when you follow your intuition and let things unfold naturally.

Elena shares how she went from studying business in Bournemouth to becoming a freelancer in Portugal, why she asked strangers for advice before launching her business, and how audience-first marketing actually works in practice. You'll discover what it's like running multiple businesses under one brand: from managing marketing campaigns to hiding behind rocks to capture secret proposals at Ponta da Piedade.

We dive into the magic of TEDx Lagos (and why you should come to the next one!), the challenges of Portuguese bureaucracy, and how living near the ocean changes your entire relationship with life. Elena also reveals her favourite secret Algarve spots and why Portugal has made her feel freer than ever before.

Perfect for aspiring freelancers wondering how to start, creatives building portfolio careers, marketers who want to do it differently, or anyone curious about what life looks like when you design it around freedom instead of fitting into someone else's structure.

Chapters00:00 Introduction00:30 Meet Elena: Freedom as a Core Value01:07 Growing Up in Bulgaria with Outdoor Freedom03:48 Moving to Bournemouth and a Career in Marketing09:00 Moving to Portugal and Starting Fresh21:30 What is TEDx Lagos and Why Come?29:30 The TEDx Lagos Experience32:30 Life as a Freedom Seeker: Marketing and Photography33:34 Secret Proposals in the Algarve36:23 How Portugal Changed Elena36:51 Reconnecting with Nature in Portugal

➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

Check out our Instagram @algarveaddicts - we'd love to connect with you there!

Meet Johanne Halliday, who's living proof that sometimes the best moves happen when you stop overthinking and just go for it. After years of visiting her mum in Portugal, Jo knew the Algarve was where she wanted to be—she just didn't know how to make it work.

When her request to work remotely from Portugal was declined, Jo could've given up on the dream. Instead, when redundancies were announced, she saw her opportunity. Within months, she'd ticked off everything on her list: found somewhere to live, secured her residency (just before Brexit!), rented out her UK property, and booked her one-way ticket to Lagos.

Jo shares the practical reality of starting fresh in Portugal—from navigating the job market to discovering why Lagos has become her forever home. You'll hear about the best beach walks, her favourite local spots, why the expat community here feels different, and how she's gone from wishing her weekends would come faster to genuinely embracing every single day.

Perfect for anyone who's been dreaming about Portugal but struggling with the "how," single professionals wondering about making the move solo, or anyone who needs to hear that sometimes things just fall into place when you commit to what you really want.

➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

Check out our Instagram @algarveaddicts - we'd love to connect with you there!

Get in touch with Adam: https://hobsonschoon.com/

Meet Adam Schoon, a renowned fine art and antique specialist who's made the Algarve his home! Known for his expertise on BBC's Antiques Roadshow and his specialization in Chinese and Japanese ceramics, Adam shares his fascinating journey from family collecting traditions to becoming one of the UK's respected antique experts.

Discover how his passion for antiques began, his experiences evaluating priceless pieces on television, and why he chose Portugal as his base for continuing his work in the antique world. Adam also reveals insights into Portugal's rich antiquities heritage and the unique treasures that can be found throughout the country.

Whether you're an antique enthusiast, curious about Portugal's cultural treasures, or interested in how international experts view life in the Algarve, this conversation offers a unique perspective from someone who truly appreciates both historical artifacts and Portuguese charm.

Perfect for anyone fascinated by antiques, Portuguese culture, or the stories of international professionals who've found their home in Portugal.

Takeaways

Adam Schoon is a general valuer with a broad knowledge of antiques.

His passion for antiques was sparked by his mother's collection and his grandmother's archaeological stories.

Handling antiques provides a spiritual connection to the past.

Chinese and Japanese ceramics are his specialty, developed through years of experience.

The Antiques Roadshow has allowed him to share fascinating stories behind various objects.

He travels frequently for antique evaluations, balancing work and life in Portugal.

Portugal's community spirit and caring nature influenced his decision to move there.

The Algarve offers a mix of tranquility and development, making it a unique place to live.

Portuguese jewellery has a rich history linked to Brazil's rare stones.

Antiques in Portugal are often hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Antiques and Fine Art

02:49 The Journey into Antiques

05:44 Specialization in Asian Art

08:17 The Role of Media in Antiques

11:14 Life in Portugal and Its Influence

14:15 Evaluating Portuguese Antiquities

17:03 The Hidden Treasures of Portugal

➣CONTACT US for relocation assistance

Get on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.

https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

Check out my Instagram on / algarveaddicts - I enjoy a little bit of Insta!

#AntiquesRoadshow #BBCAntiques #FineArtExpert #ChineseCeramics #JapaneseCeramics #AntiqueSpecialist #PortugalAntiques #AlgarveLife #ExpatsInPortugal #AntiqueExpert #PortugalLiving #CulturalHeritage #PortugueseTreasures #AntiqueCollecting #FineArt #MovingToPortugal #AlgarveExperts #PortugalCulture #AntiqueAppraisal #PortugueseHistory #AlgarveAntiques #ExpertInPortugal #BBCExpert #PortugalSpecialist #CeramicsExpert

Interested in Serenity? Contact us and get more info: https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

Thinking about trading US life for Portuguese beach living? Meet this inspiring American couple who made Salema their permanent home and discovered that Portugal exceeded all their expectations!

From navigating the property price surge to finding the perfect healthcare solution, they share the unfiltered reality of relocating to one of the Algarve's most charming coastal towns.

Learn why they chose the western Algarve over other regions, how they handled US bank closures when moving abroad permanently, and their game-changing experience with Portugal's healthcare system. Spoiler alert: a full emergency room visit with ambulance cost just 150 euros compared to what would have been over $10,000 in the US!

This honest conversation covers everything from daily life in a small Portuguese town to building community as American expats. Plus, discover their secret to debt-free living and why they believe moving to Portugal was "the best decision they ever made."

Takeaways

Western Algarve coastal living offers dramatic cliffs and cooler ocean breezes

Property prices surged significantly between their scouting trip and actual move

Many US banks will cut off customers with foreign addresses - plan accordinglyPortuguese banking system is surprisingly efficient once you navigate the setup

Emergency healthcare costs fraction of US prices (150€ vs $10,000+ for ER visit)

Private health insurance costs far less than US equivalent even with pre-existing conditions

Community building requires effort but rewarding connections are possible

Daily life involves more driving than expected to access activities and friends

Debt-free living goal influenced their property purchase decisions significantly

Chapters

00:00 Why They Chose Salema and Western Algarve

01:22 Property Price Reality Check

02:34 Debt-Free Living Goals

03:20 Daily Life in Salema

05:10 Beach Lifestyle vs Beach Living

06:03 Local Restaurants and Amenities

07:14 US Banking Challenges When Moving Abroad

09:11 Portuguese Banking Setup Experience

11:09 Healthcare: The Serenity Solution

13:14 Private Insurance vs US Costs

15:39 Emergency Room Reality: 150€ Total

16:02 Building Community as American Expats

17:37 Best Decision They Ever Made

➣CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

Check out my Instagram on instagram.com/algarveaddicts - I enjoy a little bit of Insta!

#SalemaPortugal #USToPortugal #AmericansInPortugal #PortugalHealthcare #AlgarveLife #WesternAlgarve #MovingToPortugal #PortugalLiving #USExpats #AmericanAbroad #PortugalCoast #AlgarveBeach #ExpatLife #PortugalRetirement #SerenityHealthcare #PortugalBanking #DebtFreeRetirement #AmericansAbroad #PortugalProperty #AlgarveExpats #BeachLivingPortugal #PortugalRealEstate #ExpatCommunity #HealthcarePortugal #PortugalLifestyle