How do I meet people in Portugal?
When we asked people living in Portugal about club and activities where newcomers can meet others, they responded...
"Many expats in Portugal join social groups and local clubs specific to their interests and professions, such as book clubs, running clubs, wine tasting clubs, and even language exchange groups. For example, the Lisbon Expat Networking Club is an online group focused on networking, business, and career development for expats in Portugal. Other ways expats can meet people in Portugal is by attending cultural events or being involved in community activities. Many cities and towns across the country also offer language classes, which is a great way to meet people and improve language skills. Additionally, expats can reach out to other people through social media platforms and websites such as Expat.com," wrote a member who made the move to Portugal.
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"In my experience, restaurants and cafes afforded me the opportunity to meet new people, develop friendships, and practice speaking the language. At nearly every turn, I was able to find people willing to speak English with me and to offer useful help in developing the ability to speak Portuguese. For my part, I have not made any attempts to join expat communities. Instead, a little humility and lots of hard work trying to learn the language has opened doors to friends and families in the local community. All this began by trying to frequent the cafes and restaurants that had employees and clients who were willing to communicate," explained one expat living in Lisbon, Portugal.
Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Portugal?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Portugal?
- Will I be able to find a job in Portugal?
- What is life like in Portugal?
- What do expats in Portugal appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Portugal?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Portugal accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Portugal like?
- What are healthcare services like in Portugal?
- What are medical services in Portugal like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Portugal?
- What are emergency services like in Portugal?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Portugal?
- How are local medical facilities in Portugal?
- As a foreigner living in Portugal, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?
How do I meet people in Portugal?
If you live in Portugal, newcomers to Portugal would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.