EU lifestyle vs. High Savings: 36M at a crossroads between Portugal and Albania
Hello Everyone,
I’m at a bit of a crossroads and would love some outside perspective from people who have balanced Geo-arbitrage with long-term lifestyle goals.
The Situation:
I’m a 36-year-old Turkish national, currently single, and I just landed a remote role with a company paying approximately €1,500 net. I have about €80k in liquid savings and a debt-free apartment back home that brings in €500/month in passive rent. I’m currently on Month 6 of a temporary residency in Portugal, but I’ve lived in Albania before and still have some contacts there.
I’m trying to decide where to plant my roots. The company is fine with me working from either location, so it's purely a personal and financial choice.
Option A: Portugal
Pros: Higher daily living standards and the specific EU lifestyle I've grown to appreciate. I'm already in the residency system here.
Cons: High cost of living. On a €1,500 net salary, I won't be adding much to my savings. With the potential 10-year residency requirement for citizenship, it feels like a very long path to travel.
Option B: Albania
Pros: Very low cost of living and a 0% tax regime for remote workers. With salary and the passive rent O receive I’d have nearly €2,000/month total in a country where that makes you quite comfortable. I could build a significant "freedom fund" while having a great social life, as I find it easier to connect there.
Cons: It’s not the EU. Infrastructure is average, it's a step down in standards. I’d be walking away from the 6 months I've already invested in my Portuguese residency.
I want to start a family in the next few years. In my shoes, would you value the immediate "comfy" lifestyle and high savings rate of Albania, or is the safety, future permanent residency and long-term stability of the EU worth the "break-even" financial life in Portugal at age 36?
THANK YOU!!