A Beginner's Guide to Living on Terceira Island

Getting to Know the Azores

The Azores archipelago consists of nine islands in the mid-Atlantic ocean. They are an autonomous region of Portugal and are included in the European Union.

The islands are divided into three groups:

1. Eastern Group (São Miguel and Santa Maria)
2. Central Group (Faial, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge and Pico)
3. and the Western Group (Flores and Corvo)

The islands offer distinct features, accents, and personalities. Terceira is considered the party island and is one of the larger islands. There is no shortage of festas (parties), bull fights, and general merriment.

The Azores are often referred to as the Hawaii of Europe because of the mild climate, ocean views and geological formations. You get unique charm mixed with breathtaking nature.

Angra do Heroísmo, which is one of the main cities in Terceira, boasts cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, cafes, shops and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was, for a brief time (1828-1832), the capital of mainland Portugal. 

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Daily Life on Terceira Island

Living on the island has been an amazing experience. The people are extremely kind and welcoming.

Many residents can speak at least a little bit of English. However, I would strongly recommend learning some Portuguese. Even just saying bom dia (good morning) or obrigado/a (thank you) goes a long way!

The locals here greet everyone. That was one thing I had to get used to. For example: when someone walks into an office or waiting room they will say bom dia to the other people waiting. This is different from my experience in the U.S., where in general, people don’t greet others they don't know.

It’s not uncommon to be invited into someone’s home during a festa (party) or tourada (bull fight) even when you’re a complete stranger. Also, having car trouble or in an accident? Don’t be surprised when people turn up to help. I have experienced this first hand and see it happening on a regular basis.

Depending on your goals, I recommend these apps/platforms to kick off your language learning:

• Drops: Use the free version of this app for 5-minutes of vocab lessons a day. This is good for improving vocab but little else.
• Mondly: If you want to have a little bit more practice, this app is similar to Duolingo but has less silly prompts and more realistic phrases and sentences.
• Babbel: Babbel is similar to Mondly but also teaches cultural tidbits during the language lesson.
• iTalki: If you're more serious about learning to speak the language, this platform allows you to have 1:1 or group lessons with native teachers.

Best Areas to Live

My situation is different from many other expats in that I have a personal connection here. When I arrived, I was moving in with my fiancé who was born and raised here on the island. This made things easier.

In terms of location, it depends what you are looking for. There are two cities on the island: Angra do Heroísmo and Praia de Vitória.

Both have lots of shops, cafes, restaurants and picturesque marinas. Praia da Vitória has more sandy beaches, while Angra do Heroísmo has more concrete bathing platforms. And then in between you have all the different freguesias (parishes/villages).

There really aren’t any “bad” areas. The island is very safe with little to no crime.

I’m a bit biased, but I love Biscoitos. It is in the north part of the island and is an attractive choice. Here, we typically see a bit more sun (but I can’t stress enough that the weather is ever changing and can’t be trusted!). It is home to one of the popular natural pools. 

Not sure if Terceira Island is right for you? Consider moving to these other places in Portugal instead:

• Lisbon
• Porto
• Caldas da Rainha
• Setúbal
• Faro
• Cascais

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Cost of Living

In talking with others and seeing some advertisements I would say the average rent range is between €400-€800. It will vary depending on apartment size and location.

You can expect to pay about €1,20 or less for a coffee. Two people can enjoy a nice meal including wine and dessert in a decent restaurant for about €30 or maybe even less.

If you are a remote worker and making U.S. dollars you can live comfortably. If you are working locally here on the island, the minimum wage is approximately €950 per month, so that is something to be mindful of.

Generally speaking, I find the cost of living to be more reasonable than in the U.S. And you have access to essential services, a public healthcare system, private health insurance, healthcare facilities, as well as private clinics.

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Visas to Live in Portugal

I jumped at the opportunity to teach English at a private English school after I made a connection with the director of the school. My job would start in September 2024. She sent me a contract and I applied for a temporary work visa with the Portuguese Consulate in Boston.

I started that process in April 2024. My interview at the consulate was in June. Honestly, there was a lot of confusion and when people complain about bureaucracy I totally get it!

I ended up moving to the island in August without even knowing if my visa was approved. Luckily, you can stay here for up to 90 days without a visa. I started my job in September and shortly after that was notified about my visa approval. The visa would be valid for one year. 

In April 2025, I renewed my contract at work and started the process to renew my visa. Once again, there was much confusion and a lot of back and forth. I’ve been waiting for an appointment with AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) since.

As of this writing, my appointment is next week. I would strongly recommend you work with someone in the know about the immigration process. It is very confusing and the immigration laws here are currently changing.

In Terceira, you can go to AIPA (Association of Immigrants in the Azores) for assistance. It’s free of charge and they help you get an appointment with AIMA. Be prepared to wait and follow up frequently.

Here is a brief look at other Portuguese visas if you don't plan to work in-person like I do:

• Student Visa – This allows you to stay in Portugal to study at an accredited university for one year. Your university may be able to help you with your visa and Portugal residence permit application.
• D2 Entrepreneurs Visa – Also known as the Startup Visa, this two-year permit is available for those wanting to start a business in Portugal. However, you must create a limited company and present a viable business plan. 
• D6 Family Reunification Visa – If your spouse is a Portuguese citizen, you can apply for a D6 visa to reunite your family. It is a renewable two-year visa and residence permit for you and your family members.
• D8 Digital Nomad Visa – This is a one-year visa aimed at remote workers. You must earn over €3,280 per month to apply.
• D7 Passive Income Visa – Ideal for retirees and investors, the golden visa is open to you if you can prove you have enough resources in your bank account to sustain yourself. (The Portugal golden visa is also known as the retirement visa, as it's popular with American expats.)
• Portugal Golden Visa Program – An initiative by the Portuguese government to attract foreign investors who can make a significant contribution to venture capital funds.

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Pros to Living on Terceira

There are many pros to living in Terceira, but here are my top ones:

• There is beauty literally everywhere: Terceira offers natural beauty and stunning landscapes which deserve your attention. It is impossible to not be in absolute awe. Nature lovers will have a field day and there are many outdoor activities to enjoy (hiking, trekking, whale watching, fishing etc)
• Life is simple, but special: Daily life is a slower pace, meals are savored. There is never any rush at restaurants. Spending time with family is a priority. The local community are genuinely kind and helpful.
• Amazing bread and wine: Need I say more? There's a whole vibe here. You won’t be disappointed. The food is also delicious.
• Festas/Cultural Events: I have truly never experienced anything like the traditional festivals here. There is always something to celebrate and something to do. They are a perfect way to experience the local Portuguese culture and traditions.
• Proximity to other places: Terceira is about a 4.5 hour flight from Boston, 2 hour flight from Lisbon. The location is ideal for me in terms of being able to visit my family and also to visit mainland Portugal or other European destinations. My goal this year is to visit some of the other islands.
• Mild temperatures year round: I don't have to worry about snow. Enough said!

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Cons to Living Here

There aren’t many cons, but as with anywhere there are some:

• The bureaucracy: This is the case almost everywhere. It’s ridiculous, not fun, and extremely confusing. One person says one thing and another says another thing. You wonder if anyone actually knows anything. 
• Fog: This probably seems silly, but the fog here is on a whole other level. This is mostly a problem in the fall/winter months. There have been many nights that I have white knuckled it all the way home.
• Lack of certain items: You might have a hard time finding certain things you're used to. This really hasn’t bothered me, but it could potentially bother others. We do have Amazon (Amazon Spain or Amazon Germany), however, there is no 1-day or 2-day shipping. In other words, be patient!

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Will You Move to the Azores?

I hope this has provided some valuable insights into Terceira and will help you make an informed decision if this is a good place for you.

I have an even deeper love and appreciation of this place and the local culture after living here for a year. Overall, my life has improved, as well as my well being. For me, this island feels like home.