For years, Spain has topped the list of dream destinations for Brits looking to escape the UK. With its warm weather, great food and laid-back lifestyle, it seemed to tick every box.

But while Spain’s expat population has levelled off, its neighbour Portugal is seeing a huge surge in newcomers – and for good reason. Since 2018, the number of expats in Portugal has increased by 150%, despite challenges such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. There are now nearly 50,000 British residents in Portugal, making them the second-largest foreign community in Portugal, surpassed only by Brazilians. The most popular regions for Britons include the Algarve, Lisbon, Setúbal and Porto. So what’s driving the boom, and why are so many Brits staying for good?

Money talks, and for many expats, Portugal simply makes more financial sense. A recent TikTok video from a woman living in Spain summed up the struggle, saying: “Basically, you’re working to survive.”

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Spain now sits at around €972, but popular expat hotspots can be far higher. Spain is also considering a controversial 100% property tax for non-EU residents, which could double the cost of buying a home before obtaining residency.

Furthermore, inflation has hit Spanish households hard – grocery prices have increased by nearly 40% since 2019, while wages have failed to keep pace.

In contrast, Portugal has earned a reputation as one of Western Europe’s most affordable countries. Housing Anywhere reports that a single person can live comfortably for around €1,285 a month. Numbeo data shows Portugal’s cost of living is nearly 38% lower than the UK, making it especially appealing for retirees on fixed incomes.

Portugal has also made it easier for foreigners to settle in. Its Digital Nomad Visa, launched in 2022, is designed for remote workers earning from abroad. The visa can last for a year or lead to permanent residency, with applicants needing to show an income of €3,480 (£3,060) per month.

For retirees or those living off passive income, the bar is even lower – around €870 (£765) per month, equal to Portugal’s minimum wage.

Spain, meanwhile, offers a non-working visa that requires retirees to prove an annual income of roughly €30,240 (26,600), plus an additional amount for dependents – a significantly higher threshold.

Spain is also suffering from the fallout of the scrapping of its Golden Visa earlier this year. The Portuguese equivalent, however, is proving exceptionally popular, particularly with the British, as it is designed for non-EU citizens. The Portuguese Golden Visa is available to Brits for a €500,000 (£439,200) investment. It grants visa-free travel within the Schengen Area and requires a minimal physical stay in Portugal of seven days in the first year and then 14 days in each subsequent two-year period. After five years of holding the residency, you can then apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

Spain is famous for its sunshine, and while Portugal can’t quite match the Costa del Sol for year-round heat, most of the country enjoys hot summers and mild winters. The north receives more rain, but the climate overall remains a significant draw for those seeking a slower, outdoor lifestyle.

Spain may still hold the classic appeal, but for many Brits, Portugal offers a better balance – a lower cost of living, friendly visa options and plenty of sunshine to go around. For expats watching their budget, it’s not hard to see why Portugal is fast becoming the new Iberian dream.

Over 47,409 British citizens currently reside in Portugal, according to the country’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). This represents a significant increase from the 21,300 British nationals living in the country in 2000, based on data from Portugal’s Observatório da Emigração.

Jet2 is launching three new routes to a picturesque city break destination, famous for its medieval old town and festive Christmas market. Flights from Edinburgh to Tallinn will start on November 27, while flights from Manchester and Birmingham will begin on November 28.

These seasonal routes arrive perfectly timed to experience Tallinn at its most enchanting, when freezing, snow-covered conditions are commonin the lead-up to Christmas. Flights this December are available from just £30.

Jet2 desribes Tallinn as resembling a “medieval fairytale”. The UNESCO-listed old town boasts historic squares, cobblestone streets, and vibrant architecture.

It’s the sort of destination where visitors could happily spend hours exploring, admiring the immaculately-preserved historic buildings and stopping for a strong black coffee and a sweet pirukad pastry, reports the Mirror. 

During the winter season, the old town becomes especially delightful, adorned with Christmas lights and frequently dusted with snow. The Christmas Market opens on November 21, and continues until December 28, featuring wooden stalls offering traditional handicrafts, fairground attractions, and a land train decorated with fairy lights to transport visitors around the town.

At the heart of the square, locals boast what they claim to be Europe’s first Christmas tree. The area has been home to a Christmas tree since 1441, long before other nations adopted the tradition of decorating trees in their homes.

After exploring the square, why not try some traditional Christmas foods such as gingerbread or Estonian favourites like black pudding and cabbage?

A spicy sausage known as verivorst is also a popular treat during this festive season. This compact city is walkable and has many remarkable landmarks within its centre. Pay a visit to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a unique Eastern Orthodox church adorned with onion domes.

Alternatively, explore the imposing Toompea Castle, a medieval structure currently used by Estonia’s parliament. The original castle was constructed by the Danish in the 13th Century, but parts were destroyed and rebuilt during the Middle Ages, while a newer wing features elements from the 18th-century baroque period.

Make sure to visit Kadriorg Palace, nestled within vast expanses of parkland. Founded by Russian Tsar Peter I in 1718, this stunning baroque palace was modelled on Versailles.

It houses the Kadriorg Art Museum, which boasts an impressive collection of European and Russian art from the 16th to 20th centuries. Meanwhile, the surrounding Kadriorg Park looks enchanting in winter, with fountains and snow-dusted greenery.

At the edge of the park, you can even enjoy views across the Baltic Sea.

The old town boasts a range of hotels, hostels, and apartments to choose from. The four-star Nunne Boutique Hotel is highly rated and exudes an old-world charm.

Twin rooms start at just £70 a night for two sharing, and for an additional €10 per person, you can indulge in the hotel’s spa, complete with a massage pool and saunas. There’s even a children’s room stocked with toys and games to keep the little ones amused.

The Merchants House Hotel, brimming with character, offers 36 rooms and suites just a stone’s throw away from the top attractions of the old town. This unique hotel is made up of historic homes converted and set around a courtyard, offering economy double rooms for just £66 a night for two sharing.

British tourists travelling across Europe have been stranded by flight cancellations and delays due to adverse weather conditions. Vueling Airlines, Spain’s largest carrier, has cancelled 17 flights today and has been hit by 53 delays.

Nearly 50 flights to Barcelona were cancelled after a torrential downpour and flooding seized the Spanish city yesterday, The Local reported. A further 45 were delayed due to bad weather. Beyond Barcelona, other key cities were also affected, like Paris, Lyon, Valencia, Florence, Nice and Malaga. Terminals are overcrowded as passengers have been made to wait, Travel and Tour World reported.

It is expected that the last 24 hours of disruption will cause a ripple effect across the air travel network, impacting tens of thousands of travellers in Europe.

Rain continues to lash down across southern Europe with thunderstorms crashing over southern Italy and Sicily as well as steady rainfall over Spain and southern France.

Veuling’s cancellations come as their parent company International Airline Group (IAG) announced a 2% increase in earnings during their third quarter, making £1.8 billion, up from £1.77 billion a year ago, the Standard reports.

Despite recent disruption, IAG chief executive Luis Gallego says the European market for his company “is improving lately.”

IAG also owns British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia. Aer Lingus had two cancellations on flights to Dublin Airport yesterday. One British Airways flight from Barcelona to London Heathrow was cancelled yesterday, according to Flight Patrol.

Aer Lingus crew have announced more strike dates, a blow to travellers using Manchester Airport this month. Nearly 130 Unite members working for the airline will stage walkouts on November 9-11, November 14 and November 16-18.

British employees of the airline have called the action amid a dispute over pay and a smaller flight allowance than their Dublin based colleagues. Meanwhile, Aer Lingus recorded an operating profit of €205 million for 2024.