Kees(63)

For thirty-five years I worked in star-rated kitchens, the last twenty as head chef in Arnhem. My knees were worn out, my passion burned out. When I took early retirement at 61, I knew one thing: I wanted sun, and I wanted to keep cooking — but on my own terms.

Albufeira would not have been my first choice — it is known as touristy. But that tourism creates opportunities. I started cooking classes from my rented villa: Portuguese dishes with a Dutch twist. Cataplana with Gouda, pasteis de nata with stroopwafel crumbs.

Setting up my activity as trabalhador independente at the Financas was straightforward. With a NIF, a bank account at Millennium BCP and a TOC handling my quarterly returns, I was operational within two weeks. The VAT exemption up to €12,500 turnover helped enormously at the start.

I rent my villa for €1,100 per month — three bedrooms, large kitchen, and a garden where I grow my own herbs. In high season I earn €2,000-€3,000 per month from cooking classes, on top of my pension. In low season I enjoy the quiet.

The fresh ingredients here are a dream. The fish auction in Quarteira, the farmers market in Loule, the olive oil from local producers — everything is fresh, seasonal and affordable. A kilo of fresh prawns costs €8 at the market, in the Netherlands you pay triple.

My tip for entrepreneurial retirees: Portugal rewards initiative. The Portuguese are curious about foreigners who contribute to the local economy. My neighbor, a Portuguese fisherman, now delivers his catch directly to me. Those kinds of connections make life here so special.