Living in Cascais: The Complete Expat Guide
Why Cascais Has Become One of Europe's Most Sought-After Expat Destinations
Cascais is not a secret. Tucked along the Atlantic coastline about 30 kilometres west of Lisbon, this former fishing village turned royal retreat has quietly transformed into one of Portugal's most desirable places to live — especially for international buyers and expats looking for a high quality of life within easy reach of a major city.Whether you're considering a permanent move, a second home, or a long-term investment, Cascais deserves a close look. This guide covers everything you need to know: the neighbourhoods, the lifestyle, the practicalities, and the real estate landscape.
A Town With a Royal Pedigree
Casa de Santa Maria, the Cidadela Palace, and the charming Museu do Mar remain landmarks worth exploring in the town of Cascais. The town’s relationship with beauty – architectural, natural, and cultural – runs deep.Today, the Casa de Santa Maria, the Cidadela Palace and Cidadela and the Museu do Mar are symbols of the town and its heritage. The town still retains much of its appeal due to its architecture, gardens and its connection to natural and cultural beauty,
The Cascais Lifestyle: What to Expect
Life in Cascais moves at a different pace than Lisbon. It's calmer, greener, and for many expats, simply more liveable. Here's what daily life actually looks like:
Beaches and the Outdoors
Beaches and the Outdoors
The Expat Community
Cascais has one of Portugal’s largest and most established international communities in the country. It is said to have a large number of British, American, Brazilian, French and Israeli families living there and for this reason there are many international schools and other institutions catering to expat families. The expat community is also well-represented in various social clubs, sporting associations and business networks that exist throughout the town. English is widely spoken in Cascais, as well as Portuguese, obviously.Dining, Culture, and Shopping
Culturally, the town hosts regular events throughout the year, including its famous jazz festival, sailing regattas, and the Estoril Open tennis tournament held nearby every spring.
Neighbourhoods: Where to Look in Cascais
Cascais is not a single neighbourhood — it's a municipality with several distinct areas, each with its own character and price range.
Cascais Town Centre
The historic core, walking distance to the marina, beaches, and restaurants. Apartments here tend to be in older buildings, many of which have been beautifully renovated. This area attracts buyers who want to be at the heart of things — and are willing to pay for proximity.
Estoril
Just adjacent to Cascais is the world famous resort of Estoril. Known for its casino - the largest in Europe - and its reputation as one of the most glamorous places to visit in Portugal. Estoril is an elegant town with a broad, sandy beach that is backed by pine trees and grand villas well as more modest houses. A large and well-established expat community resides here including many Brits. A regular train service runs to Lisbon from Estoril station.
Monte Estoril
Monte Estoril is a quiet residential area of traditional houses with large gardens. Many of the houses have been converted into apartments and there are also some newer developments. The area has a community feel and is close to both Estoril and Cascais and has good access to the two town centers and to the train station in Estoril. The area has good views of the sea and is a popular area with families.
Birre and Areia
Birre is a quiet residential area with a local flavor and, on average, a lower price tag than most areas in Cascais. It is close to the center of Cascais and is perfect for those who want to live in a house or apartment with a lot of space, a garden, or with a pool and are willing to drive to the beaches. Areia is another residential neighborhood in Cascais, located inland and is perfect for families who want to live in a house or apartment with lots of space and at an affordable price, while being close to the train and to the beaches. There are many apartments and houses for rent and for sale in this area and it is very popular with locals and expats alike.
São João do Estoril
São João do Estoril
A neighborhood that is a little away from the Estoril Center but is only a short walk to the seafront. It is very popular with families who want to live in a more relaxed area and have easy access to the town. The prices are generally more accessible than in other parts of Estoril and are within walking distance or a short bike ride to the waterfront.Connectivity: Getting Around and Getting to Lisbon
Connectivity: Getting Around and Getting to Lisbon
p>For drivers, the A5 motorway to Lisbon takes 20-30 minutes depending on the traffic and the Lisbon International Airport is a 45-60 minute drive from Cascais. Due to its European location, Cascais a perfect base for European and International travelers and business people alike.Schools and Families
Schools and Families
The Cascais area is home to the Cascais International School (CIS), the American School of Lisbon (in Carcavelos, just outside Cascais) and a number of schools that follow the British curriculum (including nursery schools). Children of expat families attend the Portuguese public schools in the area and within a year or two are often bilingual.
Healthcare
The Cascais Hospital is a private/public health facility opened in 2015. It is one of the better health facilities outside of Lisbon and there are many private clinics, specialist centres, etc. all over Cascais. For expats, it is highly recommended that they take out private health insurance as it is very affordable compared to most countries and the quality of health care is very high. Prices are roughly a fraction of what it would cost in Northern Europe or North America.
The Real Estate Market in Cascais
Cascais has historically been one of Portugal's most resilient property markets. Its appeal to international buyers — combined with limited supply in the most desirable locations — means that values have remained strong even during broader market fluctuations.
p>The market is diverse: from compact apartments in renovated town-centre buildings to sprawling villas with pools and sea views in the hills above Estoril. Golden Visa eligible properties can be found in the municipality, though buyers should verify eligibility criteria at the time of purchase as regulations have evolved.Rental demand in Cascais is strong year-round, driven by expats, corporate relocations, and the substantial tourism market. Short-term and long-term rental strategies both have merit, depending on location and property type.
Practical Matters: What You'll Need to Know
NIF and Bank Account
NIF and Bank Account
Before you can start to search for property, you will need a couple of items of paper: a NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) which is Portugal’s tax number and a Portuguese bank account. The NIF is free and can be obtained at any Finanças office, normally within a few minutes. Opening a Portuguese bank account is a similar process and most international banks have a presence in Portugal including Millennium BCP, BPI, Novo Banco and Santander.Tax Considerations
Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime or 2024 successor program may be very beneficial for new residents. It is very important to contact a qualified tax adviser who is familiar with both Portuguese and home country tax laws and tax treaties before you start the relocation process.Legal Process
The purchase of property in Portugal follows a strict process of law. When you sign a Promissory Contract (CPCV) with the seller this forms the basis of the property purchase contract. Once this has been signed the seller is not able to withdraw from the purchase and sell the property to another party. The Promissory Contract is then followed by a Notarial Deed (Escritura) that is signed at a Notary’s office. This is then followed by the registration of the property at the Land Registry (Registo Predial) by the seller’s lawyer. It is extremely important to have an independent lawyer (advogado) represent you during the purchase process and not rely on the estate agent to act on your behalf.
Is Cascais Right for You?
Cascatism is for a certain kind of buyer – one who seeks a first class lifestyle in close proximity to Nature and the Ocean in a City with top notch infrastructure. The town is also home to a large international community of people in the know. To this end, Cascais is an excellent base for the remote worker, retiree, families with school age children who attend International Schools and property investors alike. The town does not come cheap but what you get in terms of lifestyle, connectivity and long term sustainability is second to none. As such, the premium is well worth paying.This type of buyer is looking for a great place to live, with plenty of natural beauty, excellent amenities and great infrastructure. He or she also needs to be able to work from anywhere in the world, and needs a great place to retire to, when the time comes. If you fit into any of these categories, then Cascais is a great place to consider. While it is not the cheapest place to buy property in Portugal, the combination of lifestyle, amenities, infrastructure and long-term stability makes it a great investment for many buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ section below covers the most common questions from buyers and expats considering a move to Cascais.