Portugal is quite separate from Spain. The Portuguese language is similar to Spanish in grammar and vocabulary, but sounds very different, and has a different mentality. Portugal exists as a separate country because Portugal unified and expulsed the Islamic Moors (the Reconquista) about 200 years before Spain. Spain tried to conquer Portugal, but never succeeded. Even today, the Portuguese do not like the Spanish.
Portugal has a warm and sunny climate, but often seems chilly outside of summer because of humidity, and the fact that many Portuguese live without heating their homes.
Portugal remains relatively poor, with low salaries and a low cost-of-living. The minimum salary is only about EUR 700. My Swiss retirement income is about EUR 2000 per month, so I am relatively rich in Portugal (In Switzerland, I would be super-poor). Many international companies are moving to Portugal because the quality of life is high and costs are low. Historically, Portugal is allied with England. About 30% of Portuguese speak English. There are job opportunities in English.
The emigration/immigration situation in Portugal is a little complicated.
The two biggest cities are Lisbon and Porto. The Algarve is the southern province, with the best beaches and a lot of tourism. These places are growing because of immigration and foreign investment. Many Europeans are moving to Portugal (including retirees, like me). But most immigrants are from Brazil. Portugal has become dependent on immigration for employees, including skilled employees.
Outside of Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, young people continue to leave, to work in other countries with higher salaries. There are farm and house ruins everywhere in Portugal, because people (like Maria and some of her sisters) leave Portugal and establish new lives elsewhere. I have seen the tiny house where Maria was born, now a ruin.
So, Portugal is rapidly changing. The Portuguese government is raising the minimum salary a little each year, and even paying Portuguese emigrants to return. But the current trends continue.
Portugal is politically liberal, but that may change. The bureaucracy can be challenging (especially to someone from Switzerland!). Some things seem remarkably modern, and other things very old-fashioned. After 5 years, Portugal now seems ordinary to me. Most people are nice and hard-working.
To be continued..
TJ avril 2023