From Portugal to the Philippines

3.5 Years in Portugal: A Harder Chapter Than Expected

Looking back, my 3.5 years in Portugal were not defined by the sun-drenched postcards of Lisbon or the romantic images of Fado echoing through narrow alleyways. Instead, they became a story of bureaucracy, stagnation, and personal resilience.

Portugal has undeniable beauty — breathtaking coastlines, a rich cultural history, and some of the warmest people I have ever met. But beneath that surface, life as an expatriate can be tough. For me, it was not the dream I had imagined but rather a prolonged struggle. Administrative hurdles seemed endless, professional opportunities were limited, and economic realities often felt discouraging.

Working in Portugal came with its own layers of complexity. Despite my long experience in IT, customer service, and engineering, I found myself navigating a professional environment that was less about growth and more about endurance. For many highly skilled expatriates, the job market funnels them into Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) roles — positions in large call centers and service hubs that provide support for global companies.

On paper, it looked like a mismatch: someone with my background, knowledge, and international experience reduced to troubleshooting routine tickets or handling customer escalations. In practice, it was an emotional challenge. BPO work is demanding by nature: high pressure, strict KPIs, rotating shifts, and little room for creative input. For a professional used to more complex, rewarding tasks, it can feel like a step backward. And yet, that very step backward ended up being the one I needed most.

The Unexpected Reward: Securing Social Security Credits

As months turned into years, I often asked myself why I was enduring this situation. The answer was simple but significant: those final years in Portugal gave me the social security credits I needed for early retirement.

It’s not the kind of reward you can capture in photos or brag about at parties. There’s no glamour in filling out forms, surviving endless calls, or battling with bureaucracy. But when I finally reached August 2025, I realized that I had achieved something deeply valuable.

Those 3.5 years closed a gap in my pension record that might otherwise have left me financially vulnerable later in life. By enduring the challenges, I built a foundation that will allow me more freedom in the years to come. It was a quiet victory, but a meaningful one — proof that even struggles can have long-term rewards.

Closing the Portuguese Chapter

By the end of my time in Portugal, I felt both drained and grateful. Drained, because living there required more energy than I ever expected. Grateful, because I came out of it stronger, more disciplined, and with a clearer understanding of what I wanted.

Portugal taught me lessons about patience, persistence, and humility. It showed me that sometimes our careers don’t move in straight lines. Sometimes, we need to take jobs that don’t match our ambitions — not because we lack skills, but because life demands we play a long game. And sometimes, the hardest environments leave us with the most enduring insights.

Still, I knew it was time to move on.

A New Beginning: Life in the Philippines

As September 2025 ends, I turn the page and begin a new chapter — this time in Davao City, Philippines. Unlike the detour that Portugal represented, this move feels like a homecoming.

Davao is not just another stop on my global journey. It is the homeland of my wife, the place where we can finally settle down together after years of long-distance challenges and fragmented routines. Where Portugal tested me with red tape, the Philippines welcomes me with community. Where Lisbon often felt isolating, Davao offers warmth, connection, and a slower rhythm of life.

For me, the Philippines represents both stability and renewal. Stability because it allows me to root myself in family, in relationships that matter, and in a supportive environment. Renewal because it gives me the freedom to reframe my professional journey: continuing as a freelancer, but this time with lighter baggage and a stronger compass.

Freelancing With a Lighter Spirit

The digital age has been a lifeline for many of us who seek both independence and sustainability. My freelance career began as a necessity — a way to keep professional momentum while moving between countries. But now, in Davao, it feels like a choice aligned with my values.

I can continue serving international clients, working remotely, and applying my skills in IT, customer support, and consulting. Yet this time, I do so with a different mindset. I’m not chasing stability anymore — I already secured it through those years in Portugal. Now, freelancing is about balance: contributing my expertise, generating income, but also leaving room for music, community, and simple joys.

Lessons From a Global Journey

Looking back across all the places I’ve lived, I see a clear pattern: not every chapter is meant to be easy, but every chapter is meant to teach us something.

• Thailand gave me adaptability and openness to new cultures.

• Switzerland showed me precision, structure, and the value of stability.

• The Basque Country taught me resilience and respect for local identity.

• Portugal, perhaps the hardest of all, reminded me of the power of endurance and the importance of thinking long-term.

• And now, the Philippines promises community, joy, and the freedom to finally live with intention.

Every place leaves its mark. Some give us beauty, others give us lessons. And sometimes, the hardest ones push us closer to where we truly belong.

Closing Thoughts

Moving from Portugal to the Philippines is more than a geographical shift. It is the symbolic closing of a difficult chapter and the opening of a hopeful one. Portugal tested me in ways I did not expect, but it also gave me the foundation I needed to step into this next phase with confidence.

Now, in Davao City, I look forward to writing a new story — one where love, community, and meaningful work intertwine. One where the lessons of the past aren’t forgotten but carried forward with gratitude.

Have you ever lived somewhere that shaped you more through its challenges than its charms? If so, you’ll understand that sometimes, the greatest gifts come wrapped in struggle. And when we finally turn the page, the relief is not just in leaving the hardships behind, but in realizing how much stronger we’ve become along the way.