Monique(58)

After my divorce I was stuck in Nijmegen. A mortgage that was too high, a job that no longer interested me, and a 15-year-old daughter who was also ready for an adventure. When I saw a dilapidated farmhouse outside Obidos on a real estate site, I knew: this is it.

Obidos is a fairytale medieval town, walled and picturesque. It attracts tourists year-round — the Chocolate Festival, the Literature Festival, the nativity scene. Ideal for a bed and breakfast. The farmhouse cost €95,000. With €60,000 in renovation I had four guest rooms and my own living quarters.

Buying as a single woman was no problem. The Portuguese notary and real estate agent were professional. Essential though: have the CPCV checked thoroughly by a lawyer. There was an easement on the property that was almost missing from the contract.

My daughter Emma went to the public school in Obidos. The first six months were tough — she did not speak a word of Portuguese. But teenagers adapt. Now, two years later, she speaks fluently and has a friend group. She does not want to go back.

The B&B runs well. Through Booking.com and direct bookings I achieve €35,000-€40,000 revenue per year. After deducting costs and taxes I keep enough to live on. The Alojamento Local license application at the Camara Municipal cost €250 and four weeks.

My advice to single parents: it is possible. Portugal is child-friendly, schools are free, and healthcare through the SNS too. You need courage, a buffer of six months living expenses, and the willingness to learn Portuguese. The rest follows naturally.