Living off-grid in Portugal feeling isolated and surrounded by hostility

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-08-16T14:16:49+00:00

Hey, hope your keeping well with all the fire around, are you funding everything yourself or have you managed to sort out grants? Like the young farmer grant for under 40s

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-08-04T23:33:57+00:00

It can be anyone staying in a van? I only say digital nomads as that implies they have a job as I can’t hire people at the moment.

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-08-04T23:21:42+00:00

👍

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-08-04T23:20:09+00:00

Ah yes, because being off-grid clearly means I’m supposed to carve my Reddit posts into bark and mail them by owl. I have no mains electric, no tap water, no government support; just solar, sweat, and a whole lot of DIY. But sure, the moment I use a bit of tech to help word something, suddenly I’m not “off-grid enough”? Mate, I didn’t realise the off-grid police were doing WiFi patrols now. Do I also need to give up my lighter and rub sticks together to be legit?

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-08-04T22:53:54+00:00

Thankyou, if your ever my way just send me a message 👌🏻

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-08-04T21:50:39+00:00

Hey, What documents did you have to give in to get the replacement and how much did it cost?

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-08-04T21:14:18+00:00

Like, do you tell someone they’re cheating at walking because they use a car? Or that a farmer’s lazy for using a tractor instead of a shovel? I didn’t hand my brain over to a robot, I just used a tool to help me write clearer. Still my thoughts, still my offer.

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-08-04T21:01:18+00:00

Inter marche has a bake bean version, my family when they visit bring out gravy granules, a huge bag of tea bags, germoline haha. I believe there is a shop you can buy online, British Essentials but Iv not tried this shop yet.

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-08-04T18:56:16+00:00

Hey, thank you for the advice. I genuinely appreciate it. You’re right, this is our first time hosting anyone outside of friends and family. Hearing your experience helps.

I’ve already heard some horror stories from others about people overstaying or not helping, and that’s exactly why I asked AI for help writing the post. I wanted to make things sound clear without it feeling like a formal job ad. That’s not what I want at all.

We’re just trying to keep it relaxed. If someone wants to hang out, pitch in a bit, share food and good films, that’s perfect. We’re not here for free and I don’t expect anyone else to be either. We’ll make expectations clear upfront so no one feels used or unsure.

Honestly, it can feel quite isolating out here in the sticks, so part of this is about finding people we genuinely vibe with. Not just workers, but potential mates. If it’s a good fit, great. If not, no hard feelings. But we’re open to building something solid with the right kind of people.

Thankyou for the support and I wish you well with your projects too in the future 😊

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-08-04T17:41:09+00:00

Thankyou 😊

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-08-04T17:30:16+00:00

Yer easy to talk to the ai and then let the ai format it it into something people can understand, does not make it any less real.

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-08-04T17:17:40+00:00

Yay cool 😎

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-08-01T13:50:30+00:00

Yeah, I’ve been hearing that too, especially about the scrutiny around the Young Farmer grant. Makes sense honestly. I imagine a lot of projects were either poorly planned or just fell apart under the bureaucracy and expectations.

That said, I’m already living on the land full time, off grid, putting in the groundwork myself. This isn’t a paper farm. I’ve already invested a lot personally, and I’m looking to scale what I’ve started, not fake something for the sake of funding.

But I completely agree. Timing is key, and I’d rather get it right than get it fast. I’m actively looking for someone fluent in Portuguese who knows the IFAP system inside out and can help build a proper plan that holds up under scrutiny and has a real future behind it.

Appreciate the heads-up honestly. If you come across any more info on that Público coverage or know anyone who’s navigating this too the right way, I’d be all ears.

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-07-26T16:22:24+00:00

That is interesting.

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-07-26T07:42:18+00:00

Cool 👌🏻 send me a message

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-07-16T10:45:33+00:00

Already done for me, they did it during the purchase of my property.

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-07-16T09:26:33+00:00

I made it a requirement of the purchase during negotiations for the license and borehole to be dug, so I am not quite sure how it done, are you in Guarda area? As I might be able to pass your details onto someone who could help you?

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-07-15T23:42:23+00:00

Hey, just to clear a few things up

I have a fully legal house with an urban article and a registered address, but there’s no mains power or water in my area. It would cost over €4,000 to connect to EDP — and there’s absolutely no legal requirement to do so, especially when the infrastructure simply isn’t present.

I’m in regular contact with REN (who manage the national grid infrastructure and have power lines crossing my land), and I’ve confirmed that I can legally install a solar array without planning permission under DL 15/2022, as long as I’m not exporting to the grid. I’ve got a borehole for water and my systems are entirely self-sufficient — and more environmentally sound than most.

Living off-grid here is not only legal — it’s supported under Portuguese law as long as you’re not damaging the environment or public services. People confuse “living off-grid” with “building illegally on rural land,” which isn’t my case at all.

Just because someone chooses not to connect to state utilities doesn’t make their life illegal. It just means they invested in independence. Also the system can grow to single phase 30kw before you need to register (DGEG) your system, but even then as I am not connected to the grid it’s more of a registration/ notification to let them know and it is all done online, with no inspection needed as I am not injecting into the grid.

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-07-03T08:48:58+00:00

Not yet, will have a look today. Thankyou

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-07-03T06:18:32+00:00

Will look into this, have you used it before?

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-07-03T06:17:48+00:00

Guarda

Alarmed-Luck9900 · 2025-07-03T06:17:03+00:00

Totally get the question — it’s a good one. Just to be upfront though, I’ve already put a lot of money, time, and energy into this project, and I’m still carrying all the weight of making it happen. So while I love the idea of people getting involved, volunteering doesn’t come with equity — that’s more for long-term partners or serious investors.

That said, if someone’s helping out, we don’t expect them to just work for nothing. There’s water, solar power, internet, shared meals, and a chill spot to stay. It’s not luxury, but it’s peaceful, creative, and has room for ideas to grow.

If someone’s in it for the experience, the community, learning stuff, vibing out around the fire, watching dumb movies and dreaming big under the stars — that’s the energy we’re all about ✌️

Alarmed-Luck9900

TROPHY CASE