Els & Tom(30)

Tom and I are both UX designers, both remote, both surf addicts. In Leeuwarden we surfed in Scheveningen — three hours driving, cold North Sea, wetsuit mandatory. When we heard about Ericeira, Europe's only World Surfing Reserve, the choice was quickly made.

Ericeira is a fishing village 35 minutes north of Lisbon. It has eight surf spots within a five-kilometer radius, from beginner to expert. We surf every morning from 7:00 to 9:00 and then start our work. The waves are consistent, water is 16-20°C, and the light is magical.

We rent a house 200 meters from the beach for €1,200 per month — two bedrooms, a workspace and a garage for our boards. There is a coworking space in the village (€150/month) where we work three days a week for the social aspect.

The surf community in Ericeira is international and close-knit. Australians, Brazilians, French, Portuguese — everyone surfs. There are two surf schools where Tom sometimes teaches on weekends as a side income. €25 per hour, cash. It helps with the groceries.

Practically: our employers (a German and a Finnish company) allow remote work from Portugal. We are registered as EU citizens at the Camara Municipal of Mafra. We have our NIFs, our IRS returns are done by a local TOC for €150 per person per year.

The only downside: Ericeira is becoming more popular and more expensive. Two years ago our house was €900. The pressure on the housing market from digital nomads is a real problem. We try to consciously support local businesses and be part of the village — not just the surf scene.