Outstanding connectivity drives growth in Irish citizens moving to Portugal
Portugal’s superb connectivity is encouraging an increasing number of Irish citizens to consider a new life living and working in the sunshine. Passenger numbers at Portugal’s national airports reflect growing appetite for travel to the Iberian country. Collectively, they handled 4.2 million passengers in January 2025 – an increase of 5.9% compared with January 2024.
The number of overnight stays in Portuguese tourist accommodation establishments by people whose journeys originated in Ireland has also risen in recent years, from 2,186,023 in 2023 and 2,295,729 in 2024 – growth of over 5%. Meanwhile, data from the Portuguese authorities shows a 31% jump in the number of Irish citizens living in Portugal between 2022 and 2023.
For Irish citizens moving to Portugal, the country’s increasing connectivity means that staying in touch with friends and family ‘back home’ is now easier than ever. For summer 2025, Ryanair has launched a new route from Shannon to Madeira (twice weekly), as well as extra frequencies on existing routes from Shannon and Dublin to Portuguese airports, including Porto and Faro. The airline has also announced the addition of two new B737 “Game-changer” aircraft in Madeira and Faro for 2025, representing a $200M investment and a strong commitment to future connectivity.
The superior connections have already levelled up access from Ireland to Portugal in recent years. Kelly Murtagh, who moved from Dublin to Vilamoura in Portugal’s Algarve 15 years ago, has seen first-hand how increased flights are supporting people to enjoy longer, deeper connections with Portugal. She comments:
“The Algarve has changed hugely over the past 15 years. Probably the most noticeable change is the lack of seasonality now. 15 years ago, the winter times were very quiet, with few restaurants open – the whole region seemed to close for the winter season. But now there’s a good flow of people year-round, although it’s still a little quieter in January and February. A lot more people spend winter in the Algarve now, from retirees spending six months here to digital nomads who come for a year using the D8 visa. Hybrid and remote working have had a big impact and created more opportunities.”
Kelly will be sharing her story at the Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars in Dublin on 22nd May 2025, as part of a panel on Irish success stories. The show runs from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm at the Herbert Park Hotel, Ballsbridge Terrace, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. It provides a wealth of information on moving from Ireland to Portugal, with expert presentations, seminars, panel discussions and a carefully curated selection of 11 exhibitors. The event will cover fiscal residency, taxation, pensions and lifestyle matters, such as schooling and healthcare.
The Moving to Portugal Show will also shine a spotlight on property opportunities in Portugal, for investors and those seeking a new family home. Estate agents, developers and golf resorts will all have representatives available at the event, including Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago, Pestana Golf Residences and TerraBella by Life Plan Resorts.
The free-to-attend Moving to Portugal Show covers all aspects of moving to Portugal and settling into life there. Tickets for the event are available online at https://Dublin-MTP.eventbrite.co.uk.
