---
title: "Emigrating from Joure to Madeira: “Just do it”"
description: Emigreren naar Madeira? Pier en Monique verruilden Joure voor zon en vrijheid. Lees hun verhaal over keuzes maken, verhuizen en leven tussen Nederland en Portugal.
locale: en_GB
url: "https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/emigreren-van-joure-naar-madeira-ervaringen/"
site_name: Halo Logistics
updated_time: "2026-03-25T01:13:35+00:00"
image:secure_url: "https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2026/03/Pier-en-Monique-Westra-1024x1024.jpeg"
image:width: 640
image:height: 640
image:alt: Pier en Monique Westra
image:type: image/jpeg
---

# Emigrating from Joure to Madeira: “Just do it”

## From Friesland to the sun

Pier and Monique traded Joure [For Madeira](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/moving-international/portugal/madeira/)

. Not because they had to, but because they wanted to. After a few visits to the island, conversations with others, and some practical research, they made the decision. **Their plan: sailing in the Netherlands during summer, spending winters in Portugal.** No endless hesitation—just action. Or as they put it themselves: “When we saw the view, we thought: let’s just do it.”

Their [Life in Joure](https://www.joure.nl/)

was simple and structured. After selling their home in Utrecht, they deliberately looked for something in Friesland. “Because we’re sailors,” they explain. “We didn’t want all our money tied up in property. Also, we don’t have children.” They bought an apartment in Joure and were already living quite freely for much of the year—on their boat in summer, at home in winter. But that last part started to feel restrictive. “We always said: when Pier stops working, we’ll see what we want to do—especially for winter. Somewhere sunny with nice weather.”

![Pier en Monique Westra](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2026/03/Pier-en-Monique-Westra.jpeg "Emigreren van Joure naar Madeira: "We doen het gewoon" 1")

## An apartment with a view

Madeira didn’t come out of nowhere. They had visited the island several times two years earlier. The idea of buying an apartment there began to take shape. “Because of the climate, it seemed like a really beautiful place to us.” They took their orientation seriously: visiting the [Emigratiebeurs](https://emigratiebeurs.nl/)

, talking to Dutch residents on the island, and asking about their experiences. That helped them move forward in the process.

At the beginning of 2024, they returned to Madeira to look at apartments, mainly new builds. At first, it was disappointing. “We couldn’t find anything and continued searching from home.” Until they went back again to view an apartment and its surroundings. That moment was decisive. “We went there with the real estate agent, looked at the construction and the view, and then saw an apartment the developer had just completed. Everything looked excellent. That’s when we thought: let’s just do it.”

![Appartement met zeezicht op Madeira](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2026/03/Appartement-met-zeezicht-op-Madeira.jpeg "Emigreren van Joure naar Madeira: "We doen het gewoon" 2")

## The practical puzzle

As the move approached, things became a bit of a puzzle. “You don’t just pack for Madeira—you also have to think about what you’ll need on the boat for the next six months. What goes with you, what stays, what do you get rid of?”

Their surroundings reacted as you might expect. “They all thought it was exciting and fun. Some probably think we’re crazy.” They saw it differently. “We thought: if we want something else in five or ten years, we’ll deal with that then. We didn’t hesitate to take the step to Madeira. Just go now!”

![Verhuizen van Nederland naar Portugal](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2026/03/Verhuizen-van-Nederland-naar-Portugal.png "Emigreren van Joure naar Madeira: "We doen het gewoon" 3")

## Moving: faster than expected

The move itself went surprisingly smoothly. “They thought they’d need three days but finished in two,” they say. “With five people—unbelievable [how they pack](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/services/export-worthy-packaging/)

. ” Things also went quickly in Madeira. “Within three hours, everything was in the house.” Then the real work began. “We had to unpack everything… so much waste. It took us a few weeks because everything was packed so well. Luckily, we live on the ground floor, because the building and elevator weren’t finished yet. A blessing in disguise.”

That had its advantages too. [Even fragile items arrived perfectly](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/fullservice-moves/)

. "Cognac and wine—everything arrived intact. They insisted the bottles be upright, tightly secured with cardboard. Nothing happened to them.”

![Emigrating to Madeira](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2026/03/Emigreren-naar-Madeira.jpg "Emigreren van Joure naar Madeira: "We doen het gewoon" 4")

## Arriving, but not quite settled

The first days in Madeira felt good. “It was nice and warm,” they say calmly. “We already knew the island, so nothing really surprised us.”

Still, things didn’t go entirely as planned. Their apartment still hasn’t been officially delivered. “The building is finished, but the municipal paperwork is taking a long time.” As a result, they’re not yet living in their own home, even though their belongings are already there. “That’s a shame. Fortunately, we have a good friend living here, and we’ve been able to stay in his apartment.”

![Huis kopen op Madeira](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2026/03/Huis-kopen-op-Madeira.jpeg "Emigreren van Joure naar Madeira: "We doen het gewoon" 5")

## Life in Madeira

Their days are now a mix of relaxation and practical matters. “Reading newspapers, having lunch, and playing bridge—we do that twice a week here. We’re also still busy with practical matters around our home: making appointments, arranging things, and staying in touch with the lawyer.” In between, they enjoy the island. “The weather has been great every day so far—that’s really nice.”

Madeira is quite different from Friesland, something they notice daily. “It’s mountainous—that’s different. There are also practical differences. It’s an island, so not everything is always available. But what stands out most are the people. Kind, friendly, very welcoming. We also have great neighbors, which is really nice.”

![Leven op Madeira](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2026/03/Leven-op-Madeira.jpeg "Emigreren van Joure naar Madeira: "We doen het gewoon" 6")

## Life between the Netherlands and Portugal

Their new life will soon take place between two locations. In summer, they return to the Netherlands, where their sailboat is in Lelystad. [In winter, they stay in Madeira](https://www.hollandhousemadeira.nl/)

. They see friends and family less often, but they stay in touch. “You talk via FaceTime or messaging apps. And people come to visit us here.”

Would they recommend taking the step to move abroad? “That depends on the individual,” they say honestly. But they do have one piece of advice: just start. And don’t underestimate the language. “We’re trying to learn Portuguese—that’s really recommended. People appreciate it when you speak their language.” And finally, with a wink: “Don’t all come to Madeira, haha!”

![Zeilboot familie Westra](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2026/03/Zeilboot-familie-Westra.jpg "Emigreren van Joure naar Madeira: "We doen het gewoon" 7")

## See also

[ Ga naar Zwitserland krijgt geen maximum aantal inwoners: emigreren blijft mogelijk pagina ](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/zwitserland-krijgt-geen-maximum-aantal-inwoners/) ![Zwitserland krijgt geen maximum aantal inwoners: emigreren blijft mogelijk](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2026/06/Emigreren-naar-Zwitserland-blijft-mogelijk-na-referendum.png "Emigreren van Joure naar Madeira: "We doen het gewoon" 8") [Zwitserland krijgt geen maximum aantal inwoners: emigreren blijft mogelijk](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/zwitserland-krijgt-geen-maximum-aantal-inwoners/)

Droom jij van emigreren naar Zwitserland? Dan is er goed nieuws. De Zwitserse bevolking heeft tegen het voorstel gestemd om een maximum van 10 miljoen inwoners vast te leggen in...

[ Ga naar Verhuizen naar de Canarische Eilanden, Madeira of de Azoren: zo zit het echt pagina ](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/verhuizen-naar-de-canarische-eilanden-madeira-of-de-azoren-zo-zit-het-echt/) ![Moving to the Canary Islands, Madeira or the Azores: how it really works ](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2025/12/Inboedel-verhuizen-naar-Portugees-eiland.jpg "Emigreren van Joure naar Madeira: "We doen het gewoon" 9") [Moving to the Canary Islands, Madeira or the Azores: how it really works ](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/verhuizen-naar-de-canarische-eilanden-madeira-of-de-azoren-zo-zit-het-echt/)

Verhuizen naar een Spaans of Portugees eiland is niet hetzelfde als naar Spanje of Portugal. Wie dat verschil niet kent, loopt snel vast in papierwerk, extra kosten en vertraging.

[ Ga naar “Emigreren is geen vakantie en daar gaat het vaak mis” pagina ](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/emigrating-isnt-a-holiday-and-thats-where-it-often-goes-wrong/) !["Emigrating isn’t a holiday — and that’s where it often goes wrong"](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2025/07/Hans-Hageman-expert-op-het-gebied-van-emigraties.jpeg "Emigreren van Joure naar Madeira: "We doen het gewoon" 10") ["Emigrating isn’t a holiday — and that’s where it often goes wrong"](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/emigrating-isnt-a-holiday-and-thats-where-it-often-goes-wrong/)

Nou, daar sta je dan. Je hebt het besluit genomen: ik wil emigreren. Nieuwe avonturen, een ander klimaat. Misschien wat minder stress of juist wat meer uitdaging. Maar waar begi...

[ Go to Video or home appraisal: what are the pros and cons? page ](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/video-of-taxatie-aan-huis/) ![Video or In-Person property valuation: What Are the Pros and Cons?](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2025/06/Videotaxatie-offerte-verhuizing.jpeg "Emigreren van Joure naar Madeira: "We doen het gewoon" 11") [Video or In-Person property valuation: What Are the Pros and Cons?](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/video-of-taxatie-aan-huis/)

When planning a move, estimating the volume and necessary resources is a crucial step. This is done via an appraisal, where a moving advisor estimates a...

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