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Porto Santo island gains attention as travel hotspot and new home for European migrants
Expedia has placed Portugal's Porto Santo island second on its annual Hot List of European islands, highlighting the tiny 11‑kilometre landmass just 81 km from Madeira's capital, Funchal. The island is praised for its easy access by short flight or a two‑and‑a‑half‑hour ferry, its expansive nine‑kilometre Praia do Porto Santo beach, and relaxed atmosphere that lets visitors wander the coast, enjoy long lunches and still find quiet sand before sunset. Off‑road enthusiasts can join Porto Santo Buggy Adventures, run by local Tiago, for guided buggy tours across the island’s terrain.
Madeira, the autonomous Portuguese region that includes Porto Santo, is also seeing a rise in long‑term European residents. In 2022, about 1,100 Germans were recorded living on Madeira, the largest increase among EU nationals. EU citizens may stay up to three months without a residence permit and must register with local authorities within 30 days. After five uninterrupted years, they can obtain a ten‑year residence card, while non‑EU investors may qualify for a “golden visa” by purchasing property or creating jobs on the island.
Entities
Expedia · German expatriates · Madeira · Porto Santo island · Tiago
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The golden visa program grants residence permits to non‑EU investors who buy property or create jobs on Madeira. www.augsburger-allgemeine.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] EU citizens may stay up to three months in Madeira without a residence permit. www.augsburger-allgemeine.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Porto Santo island is 11 kilometres across and lies 81 kilometres from Madeira. de.euronews.com · www.euronews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Praia do Porto Santo beach stretches about nine kilometres along the island's southern coast. de.euronews.com · www.euronews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Tiago runs Porto Santo Buggy Adventures, offering guided off‑road buggy tours on the island. de.euronews.com · www.euronews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Expedia ranked Porto Santo second on its annual Hot List of European islands. de.euronews.com · www.euronews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] After five continuous years of residence, a ten‑year residence card can be issued in Madeira. www.augsburger-allgemeine.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In 2022, roughly 1,100 Germans lived on Madeira, according to AtoZ Serwis Plus. www.augsburger-allgemeine.de