adminee
From: United States
11/25/2008 12:08 EST
We're going to be putting together an article entitled, 10 Tips for Living in Portugal, and we need your help. Please post a reply to this thread with as many tips as you'd like (or as few) for expats living in Portugal. Whether you're a newcomer yourself or a seasoned expats whose lived abroad for many years, share your favorite tips for expats living in Portugal. If you want to discuss or expand upon someone elses tip, feel free! We'll use your posts to compile the articles.
Thanks, in advance, for your help!
Betsy Burlingame
ExpatExchange.com
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omostra06
From: Portugal
11/26/2008 12:47 EST
My tip for moving to Portugal would be to do plenty of research before you come, then when you get here take your time when finding the perfect place to live, ask around for info from others that have made the move, possibly rent first in an area to see if its right for you before buying.
we have info on moving to, living and working in Central Portugal on our info website at.
www.gekkoportugal.com
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adminee
From: United States
12/4/2008 14:58 EST
Thanks, that's helpful. Can anyone else share their tips? If an old friend or colleague called you today and said they were planning to move in 2009, what tips would you give?
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killbill
12/11/2008 14:09 EST
1- be patient.
2- check check, double check and even triple check
3- Forget your normal watch, hours and seconds don´t pass at same speed as in north europe countries.
4-surround yourself with good and well known professionals (mooving, babysitter)
5-Listen to locals, to other foreign expats and let them recommend things.
6-Find a great home even if it's much more expensive then you could think (Lisbon) for rentals because: there´s a few offers with nice flats furnished and equiped and because it´s nor usual contracts for stays between 1 month and 1 year.
- Search for holiday rentals directly to owners and negociate with them the price per month if it's available on the dates you want
- Try neighbourhood's life like Campo de Ourique, entrecampos, lapa, são Bento, Príncipe real. or further near the beach between paço de arcos and cascais. People are really kind and helfull.give the first step.
7- Enjoy and discover nice and not expensive restaurants away from turistic or foreigner advisers.
8- Shopping centres are open on sundays for big but use local market with so fresh and cheap products.
9- Almost everybody speaks english,specially young, try to articulate better and speak slowly.
10- taxi from airport! Lisbon airport is almost in the city and not km away as usually. Before landing get to know the price from your trip from lisbon airport to your destination, asking your hotel or landlord.
11-relax and enjoy the good weather.
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killbill
12/13/2008 19:09 EST
1- be patient.
2- check check, double check and even triple check
3- Forget your normal watch, hours and seconds don´t pass at same speed as in north europe countries.
4-surround yourself with good and well known professionals (mooving, babysitter)
5-Listen to locals, to other foreign expats and let them recommend things.
6-Find a great home even if it's much more expensive then you could think (Lisbon) for rentals because: there´s a few offers with nice flats furnished and equiped and because it´s nor usual contracts for stays between 1 month and 1 year.
- Search for holiday rentals directly to owners and negociate with them the price per month if it's available on the dates you want
- Try neighbourhood's life like Campo de Ourique, entrecampos, lapa, são Bento, Príncipe real. or further near the beach between paço de arcos and cascais. People are really kind and helfull.give the first step.
7- Enjoy and discover nice and not expensive restaurants away from turistic or foreigner advisers.
8- Shopping centres are open on sundays for big but use local market with so fresh and cheap products.
9- Almost everybody speaks english,specially young, try to articulate better and speak slowly.
10- taxi from airport! Lisbon airport is almost in the city and not km away as usually. Before landing get to know the price from your trip from lisbon airport to your destination, asking your hotel or landlord.
11-relax and enjoy the good weather.
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InsuranceQuotes
1/14/2009 13:42 EST
Portugal is a great place to visit or live. Licensed taxis are equipped with meters and are recognizable by their cream or black-and-green exteriors. Many taxi drivers do not speak English. Lisbon has a modern subway that operates between 0630 and 0100 local time. Travelers on the subway should exercise caution due to the threat of petty theft. Travelers should be aware that Portuguese nationals can be aggressive drivers and the country has some of the highest rates of automobile accidents and fatalities in Europe.
If you want to choice to choose your own doctor or hospital, then I would recommend purchasing a private health insurance policy.
Good Travels,
Adam
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orkneytoportugal
1/26/2009 09:55 EST
Hi - my top tips would be:
1) Make sure that if you are buying a house, you are working with a legal agent, licensed with INCI (the professional licensing body of estate agents). All legal agents must work from an office. Always check that the AMI (license) number is valid. This can save you a lot of heartache and money!
2) Don't expect everyone to speak English! Outside the Algarve, you can on most occasions find yourself having to use your phrasebook and some good miming skills. Portuguese people are usually very helpful and accommodating to 'estrangeiros', but it is a good idea to make a commitment to learning the language - and very satisfying when you can communicate.
3) Use the services of a translator to help get yourself installed. There are a number of formalities to be got through, especially when buying a house, and also just mundane things like getting your phone-line put in. A good translator is worth their weight in gold.
4) If you are coming with children, do your research. Small children will adapt to almost anything - not so teenagers, who might find the culture shock very difficult to cope with! The education system in Portugal is not the most enlightened - lots of emphasis on copying, learning by rote, and testing. You may be lucky and have a good local primary school nearby - or you may want to be in reach of an International School.
5) Consider your car. Importing a car into Portugal is very expensive, and if you don't import it, you risk having it impounded. It may be cheaper to buy out here (though cars are expensive).
6) Don't expect things to happen quickly. They wont.
7) Do expect to have to pay a tax/fee for everything. You will.
8) Be prepared for EVERYTHING to come to a full stop for the month of August.
9) Try and cultivate a liking, or at least a tolerance for, dried cod (bacalhau) and soup.
10) Be prepared to encounter some of the most warm-hearted and generous, genuine people you are ever likely to meet.
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craigandmicki
1/4/2016 06:12 EST
Residence Visa and Permit laws have become tighter since 2014, with changes introduced annually. Read the article "Demystifying the Paper Trail" for current, accurate information. Don't rely solely on those who've come before you!
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craigandmicki
1/4/2016 06:14 EST
A private health insurance plan is required of non-EU citizens, but inexpensive ones that meet the Schengen Agreement standards are available from Portuguese banks and the expat organization Afpop.
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craigandmicki
1/4/2016 06:17 EST
Public transportation is highly convenient within Lisbon and from Lisbon to Oporto in the North and Faro in the South. Many of us living around Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais and Estoril don't have cars....grocery stores deliver, buses and trains are inexpensive and frequent.
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Fermatt
3/11/2017 11:49 EST
Hi, I am researching on living in Portugal from cost of living to employment.
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