The Algarve is being increasingly sought-after by Scandinavians.
Its “golf, nice weather, hospitality and lower cost of living and taxes” is the region’s main attraction, says Peter Morawetz, a Swedish lawyer working in Tavira.
Morawetz moved to the Algarve about two years ago to represent Swedish clients buying real estate and pursuing residency permits.
“We have regular clients who come here to live and business clients who want to invest in Portugal,” he told Lusa news agency, stressing that it’s hard to calculate the increase of Scandinavians in the Algarve although it is noticeable “in the Algarve and Lisbon”.
Despite a lack of concrete numbers, Tavira mayor Jorge Botelho confirms that there have been more and more people from Northern Europe, either settling in the municipality or just visiting.
“We have seen many Swedish and Norwegian people settle here. We already have a very significant community of Norwegians in Santo Estevão. They are a very interesting community that interact very well with the locals and like their peace and quiet,” said Jorge Botelho.
But the mayor also said that there have been many tourists coming in from Sweden, Norway and also Denmark, especially in the winter, to play golf.
“In these cases they rent apartments and stay here for two to three months,” he said, explaining that in some cases visitors fall in love with Tavira and start thinking of buying property.
In other words, the new Nordic influx spells very “good news” for the municipality.
