Portugal seems to be very attractive to northern European tech and media freelancer types, know a couple of guys who live and enjoy Portugal and work for German companies remotely. Pretty attractive, would do it myself if it wasn‘t for the kids.
Those guys are more likely to expand, build startups and employ people, who knows what it might lead to.
I too am excited by what's happening in Portugal. Safe place, good food, great weather, internet is improving. These things get noticed by mobile professionals. I'd not be surprised to find myself there next year.
Thanks for embellishing Portugal. As a local, I'm not as bullish as you.
Portugal is nowadays a paradox: it has 2 contrarian political systems. One for locals (pro-socialist) and another (raw liberal) to attract foreign money.
E.g: Foreign pensionists don't have to pay taxes, €500k 'investment' (buying an house is enough) will grant you citizenship, Websummit (and consequently raw capitalism) was seen as the Truth by government. All this done while rising taxes for local middle class (freelancer's taxes are a joke), advocating a rigid job market and other ideologic measures that promoted a brain drain like never before.
Yes, Portugal is a great contry for hollydays and retirement, but, sadly, it stops there. However, if you afford to live as a semi-retired (like many remote devs) it might worth it: sun, sea, food and safety (on the places where you'll be at least).
Yes, Portugal seems the more exciting for tech of the south eu countries. I think a big reason for that is also because in PT people speak (better) English; I live in Spain but have a company in PT for that reason. Our clients are not Spanish so English is a must, for everyone.
Portugal is popular with the digital nomads because it's cheap. It's a similar situation in the canary islands. But knowing these types well, they tend to focus on lifestyle businesses / business with small markets so it's a long-shot that they will materially increase employment locally.
