Moving to Portugal from Senegal

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Senegal to Portugal? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Senegal to Portugal, and you’d need to navigate life in Portuguese. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Lisbon averages 69°F vs 82°F in Dakar, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Senegal to Portugal.

Moved in 2023
713 ↑ 45% vs 2022

people moved from Senegal to Portugal · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to Portugal?

Top countries of origin for Portugal's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Portugal compared to Senegal.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

SN
20.8
PT
7.2

Portugal performs significantly better than Senegal across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

SN
$206
PT
$4,928
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

SN
1.3
PT
57.7

Senegal generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Portugal leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

SN
65.0
PT
10.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

SN
0.8t
PT
3.3t

Senegal generally does better on environment, though Portugal leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

SN
1.4
PT
43.5
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

SN
16.3%
PT
12.3%

Portugal performs significantly better than Senegal across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

SN
2.9%
PT
6.5%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

SN
$4,400
PT
$41,700

Senegal generally does better on employment & economy, though Portugal leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

SN
70.0 yrs
PT
81.5 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

SN
32.4
PT
2.5

Portugal generally does better on family life, though Senegal leads in education spending.

Data: Direction Generale des Impots et des Domaines, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Dakar Rain: 14.9 in/yr (379 mm)
82° / 71°F

Avg. annual high / low

Lisbon Rain: 29.6 in/yr (751 mm)
69° / 55°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Dakar Lisbon
Jan–Mar 77°/64°F (25°/18°C) 61°/48°F (16°/9°C)
Apr–Jun 79°/70°F (26°/21°C) 71°/56°F (22°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 86°/77°F (30°/25°C) 81°/63°F (27°/17°C)
Oct–Dec 85°/73°F (29°/23°C) 65°/53°F (18°/12°C)
View all months
Month Dakar Lisbon
Jan 77°/64°F (24.9°/17.9°C) 58°/47°F (14.5°/8.2°C)
Feb 77°/64°F (24.8°/17.8°C) 60°/48°F (15.6°/9.0°C)
Mar 77°/65°F (25.1°/18.3°C) 64°/50°F (17.6°/9.9°C)
Apr 76°/66°F (24.7°/19.1°C) 66°/52°F (19.1°/11.1°C)
May 79°/69°F (25.9°/20.6°C) 71°/55°F (21.7°/13.0°C)
Jun 83°/74°F (28.5°/23.5°C) 77°/60°F (24.8°/15.6°C)
Jul 86°/77°F (29.9°/25.0°C) 81°/63°F (27.4°/17.4°C)
Aug 86°/77°F (30.2°/25.2°C) 82°/64°F (27.9°/17.7°C)
Sep 87°/77°F (30.6°/25.0°C) 80°/63°F (26.4°/17.0°C)
Oct 88°/77°F (30.9°/25.2°C) 72°/58°F (22.4°/14.6°C)
Nov 85°/74°F (29.7°/23.2°C) 64°/52°F (17.8°/11.2°C)
Dec 81°/69°F (27.2°/20.5°C) 59°/48°F (14.8°/8.9°C)

Data: Agence nationale de l'Aviation Civile et de la Météorologie (ANACIM) Agence nationale de l'Aviation Civile et de la Météorologie (ANACIM), Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Senegal and Portugal. To live, work, or study long-term in Portugal, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Portugal's immigration authority.

Senegal passport

Senegal passport holder visiting Portugal

Visa Required
Senegal passport holders need a visa to enter Portugal.
Portugal passport

Portugal passport holder visiting Senegal

Visa Free
Portugal passport holders can enter Senegal without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Portugal?

Connectivity is usually fine (Portugal: 43.5 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Portugal offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Portugal safe for expats?

Portugal performs significantly better than Senegal across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Portugal compared to Senegal?

Senegal generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Portugal leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 57.7 doctors per 10,000 people in Portugal, compared to 1.3 in Senegal. Portugal scores 88 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Senegal: 50).

What's the weather like in Portugal compared to Senegal?

The average high temperature in Lisbon is 69°F, compared to 82°F in Dakar. Lisbon receives around 29.6 in of rainfall per year, while Dakar gets 14.9 in.

What language do they speak in Portugal?

The official language in Portugal is Portuguese. In Senegal, the official language is French.

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At a Glance

SN PT
Population 17,923,036 10,242,081
Currency CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA) Euro (€)
Languages French Portuguese
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +221 +351
Time zones 1 2
Emergency number 17 112