Spain's former King Juan Carlos I to relocate to Portugal’s coast, settling into a €4.5 million mansion
The king emeritus is preparing to settle in Portugal, leaving behind his life in exile in Abu Dhabi.
What was meant to be a golden retirement in Abu Dhabi has become, for Juan Carlos I, a gilded cage. After five years in exile, he is showing signs not only of physical decline but also emotional fatigue. Now, the former monarch is preparing to trade the Persian Gulf for Portugal’s coastline. He has visited luxurious estates in Estoril and Cascais—places steeped in history and nostalgia, as he spent his childhood in Estoril during the exile following the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic.
According to royal insiders cited by 'El Nacional,' Juan Carlos I’s new residence is valued at €4.5 million and will be adapted to his fragile health, including ramps, elevators, and spacious rooms to ensure full wheelchair accessibility. The 86-year-old father of King Felipe VI has undergone 17 hip and knee surgeries and suffers from severe degenerative arthritis, significantly limiting mobility in his left leg.
With his son’s tacit approval, Juan Carlos I has chosen Portugal for its proximity to Spain and the presence of an influential circle of friends, including President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. He hopes to find a discreet yet comfortable retreat where he can enjoy his retirement.