Off-grid life in Portugal

These are my real numbers, from living it, not reading about it. If you are weighing a different way to live, the free Wylde Reset is a gentle first step. Many years ago I left my corporate, stressful retail career in the UK and moved onto a plot of caravan land in Portugal. Three properties on, I now live beside the river — building a life across three different areas I’ve loved along the way. People often ask how it’s actually affordable, so here’s exactly what I do — real

Seven years ago I left my corporate career and moved to Portugal with a car, a caravan, a tent and €10,000. Here's what I learned about buying rural land, living off-grid and building a different life.

Portugal is the most extraordinary country I’ve ever lived in. The land is wild and ancient. Food is honest. People are warm. Strangers wave from tractors. Old men give you tomatoes over the wall. Neighbours turn up with bread when the fire’s out.

I have lived off-grid in central Portugal for seven years. In that time I have watched people come for a week and leave changed. I have watched people come for a week and barely see the country at all. The difference is almost always the same. The first ones got off the tourist track. The second ones didn’t. This is not a tourist board list. This is what I would tell a friend who messaged me asking where to actually go. The Portuguese people are the trip I have to say this fi

The yurt is one of the oldest and most elegant shelters ever designed. But it wasn’t really designed for Portugals climate.

Legal, move-in-ready homes in Portugal let you skip the wait and start living. Real advice from 7 years in rural Portugal.

The Best Property Search Website for Portugal . If you’re looking for property in Portugal, you need to know about Pure Portugal. Pureportugal.co.uk This site is unique. And run by some really fantastic people. In my opinion it’s the only property site you need for finding amazing rural properties in Portugal. You can search by region, by district, by area. The best one for me is you can search Filter by land size, property type — riverside, farmland, village house, ruin, qu

You dont need a big income to live off-grid. You need resourcefulness, thick skin, and a willingness to do things the system told you were beneath you. Heres everything Ive learned about spending almost nothing after six years in rural Portugal. By Alex Sully, WyldeRoots | As featured on Ben Fogles New Lives in the Wild https://www.wylderoots.org/post/the-meaning-of-life-what-i-ve-learned-living-many-lives-and-experiences ----- Table and bench made from cheap planks of wood R

Everyone wants to know how cheap it is. Nobody asks how expensive the learning curve is. Heres the honest truth about what off-grid life in rural Portugal actually costs from someone whos been living it for six years. By Alex Sully, WyldeRoots | As featured on Ben Fogles New Lives in the Wild https://www.wylderoots.org/post/the-meaning-of-life-what-i-ve-learned-living-many-lives-and-experiences ----- Every week someone messages me asking the same thing. How much does it cost

Wasps, sinkholes, landslides, bucket toilets, and a 6-month deadline. The second half of my first year off-grid in Portugal nearly broke me.

I bought Portuguese land sight unseen, moved into a bell tent with 4 dogs, and learned the hard way: paradise isn't what you think it is.

I left 16 years in corporate life in the UK to live off-grid in rural Portugal, convinced I could handle anything. I was wrong. From brutal heat and bone-cold winters to bureaucracy, fire risk, money realities, and relationships under pressure, this is the honest truth about what off-grid life here actually demands — and why, despite everything, I’m still here. Read the seven things I wish I’d known before I made the move.

Everything I've learned about going off-grid in Portugal — visas, ruins, solar, water, fire risk, and the honest reality of this life.

Wylde Roots River House is a distinctive nature retreat nestled near Viseu, Portugal, offering a blend of history, modern simplicity, and deep connection to the natural world. Originally an old ruin, the house was thoughtfully rebuilt seven years ago using natural materials like wood and stone, designed to respect and harmonize with its forest surroundings. While not completely off-grid, the property benefits from pure spring water and the soothing sounds of a nearby river, c

Power cuts have swept across Portugal, Spain, and France in recent weeks. The headlines blame grid instability, surging demand, extreme weather, or even geopolitical tensions. But for millions of people left in the dark, none of that really matters. Because when survival becomes the only option—nothing else does. We are used to a world of comfort, connection, and control. From smartphones to smart homes, we live in systems that run invisibly—until they don't. When the power s

The Modern Caveman In a world consumed by screens, noise, convenience, and consumption, many of us are beginning to feel the quiet ache of disconnection — from nature, from each other, from our bodies, and from ourselves. It's no surprise that anxiety is rising, burnout is normal, and illness is widespread. But what if the solution isn't some futuristic hack or expensive program — but rather, looking backward? The concept of living like a modern caveman is not about abandonin

Photographing Ben Fogle during the filming of New Lives in the Wild was one of the most rewarding and transformative experiences of my career. As someone who has spent years venturing into some of the most remote places on Earth, Ben brings a unique energy to any setting. His life story—filled with adventure, resilience, and a deep connection to nature—resonated deeply with me as a photographer who has always sought to capture the raw beauty of both landscapes and human emoti

In the heart of Portugal lies a treasure trove of culture, tradition, and natural beauty that is at risk of fading away with each passing generation. Rural Portugal, with its charming villages, rolling hills, and rich heritage, is facing a population decline as young people flock to urban centers in search of job opportunities and modern conveniences. But as the last generation of rural dwellers ages, there is a call to action to revitalize these forgotten corners of your cou

Goats - protecting the Portuguese countryside

Synchronizing with Nature: Off-Grid Living in Portugal's Mountain Wilderness As featured on Ben Fogle- New Lives in the Wild on channel 5 Season 16 episode 01 https://www.channel5.com/show/ben-fogle-new-lives-in-the-wild/season-16/episode-1 As I sit here surrounded by the majestic peaks of Portugal's mountains, I'm reminded daily of the profound impact off-grid living has not only on my personal lifestyle but on the environment and the world at large. In this remote corner of