Latest Articles - Page 11

How To Get a Número de Utente (SNS Number) in Portugal

A man wearing a badge is assisting a woman at a reception desk. The woman, with a ponytail, is leaning on the counter, holding a black handbag and looking at the book the man is writing in. The background features minimalistic decor and a vase with white flowers.

If you’re familiar with the NIF (tax number) in Portugal, get ready to add another crucial number to your list: the número de utente or SNS number. This number is your gateway to the Portuguese public healthcare system, and it’s a must-have for anyone planning to reside in Portugal. What is the SNS Number? The SNS number allows you to access: Obtain your SNS number as soon as you become a resident in Portugal. Healthcare is vital, so this should …

If you’ve spent any time looking for Portuguese-learning resources, you’ve probably already discovered one of the big frustrations: most of what’s out there is for Brazilian Portuguese, not European Portuguese. That’s exactly the gap that Mia Esmeriz has been filling since 2017. Through her website, YouTube channel, and a complete set of courses from A1 to B2, she’s helped thousands of students learn real, everyday European Portuguese—from pronunciation and listening skills to grammar and natural conversation. In this interview, Mia …

Close-up image showing receipts, Euro banknotes, and several stacks of Euro coins. The receipts display various purchase amounts, while the banknotes include denominations of 20 and 50 Euros. Coins are shown in different sizes and stacked on the receipts and banknotes.

Portugal has long been marketed as a cheap place to live, or somewhere with a low cost of living, but is that really the case? Yes and no. In Portugal, it’s possible to find a 3-course lunch menu for €10 or less (sometimes with wine and coffee included) but when it comes to other costs like cars (new and second-hand), electricity, fuel, and toiletries, Portugal is more expensive than many other European countries. Many people who visit Portugal as tourists …

A person stamps a passport at a wooden desk. Several stamps and ink pads are scattered on the desk, along with a few documents. The person is wearing a white shirt and a blue tie.

So you’ve heard the stories: the sunshine, the pace of life, the pastel de nata addiction—and the fact that Portugal is one of the easiest places in Europe to get residency. But if you’re not from the EU, the big question usually comes first: “Can I actually move to Portugal?” Yes. You can. If you’re British, American, Canadian, Indian—whatever. There are visa options available. In fact, Portugal has some of the most welcoming residency pathways in Europe. If you can …

A small American flag on a stick is planted in the sand on a beach, with a blue sky and ocean waves visible in the background.

Thinking about trading the Stars and Stripes for the Portuguese flag? You’re not alone. More and more Americans are eyeing Portugal as their next home sweet home. So, why Portugal? Picture this: over 300 days of sunshine a year, breathtaking beaches, and cities steeped in history. Sounds like a vacation, right? But you could get that in Italy, Mexico, Panama, or many other places around the world. So why Portugal? Here are just a few reasons: safety, cost of living, …

A woman in a green dress with a white floral pattern is sitting on a ledge, smiling, with a scenic view of a coastal city with white buildings and red rooftops in the background under a clear blue sky.

Liz Sharma spotted a need for more engaging content for people learning European Portuguese. She set up Talk The Streets, which has become one of the most popular YouTube channels, and later set up her own very popular course. Check out her 7 tips for sounding like a local and free lesson for beginners. In this interview, we discuss how she learned Portuguese and where she thinks language learners should focus when learning European Portuguese. James: You have been studying …

A man and a woman lying in bed under white blankets appear disturbed. The man, on the right, covers his ears with a pillow, while the woman, on the left, looks annoyed and is holding her head. A lamp on a nightstand is in the background.

Apartments and houses in Portugal lack insulation. This means that not only can they be absolutely freezing during the winter months, but noise travels between apartments very easily as well. And while there are things you can do to stay warm in Portuguese apartments, it’s very hard to solve noise problems. For many people, this won’t be an issue. For those that are sensitive to noise, wake up easily, or are going to be working from home a lot, it …

A man and a woman, bundled up in winter clothing including hats, gloves, and scarves, sit next to a radiator. The man warms his hands by blowing on them, while the woman holds her hands close to the heat source, appearing cold.

Parts of Portugal like the Algarve, the Alentejo, and Lisbon are blessed with some of the mildest winters that Europe has to offer. Outside, that is. Inside a Portuguese house is another story altogether. Old Portuguese houses and apartments are typically poorly insulated and almost never have central heating of any kind, although some may have an air conditioning unit with a heat function. Newer properties tend to be better insulated, and some may even have a heating system of some …

A small green door with a "For Sale" sign written in Portuguese ("Vende-se") and English, along with a phone number. The door is set in a weathered stone wall with patches of blue paint, surrounded by greenery.

In Portugal, estate agents typically charge 5% (or more) commission + VAT. For many expats living in Portugal—and an increasing number of Portuguese—that’s too much. 5% of a €250,000 property is €12,500. If your property is more expensive, say €750,000, you could be paying €37,500 just in commission. Some estate agents will drop their commissions ever so slightly, but it’s unlikely that you’ll get them below 3%. Even getting them to drop below 5% can sometimes be a struggle. But, why …

A person signing a document with a black and gold pen on a wooden surface. Nearby, a set of keys lies on top of the document, partially visible, suggesting the signing might relate to property or real estate.

If you’re applying for Portugal’s D7 or Digital Nomad Visa, you’ll almost certainly need a rental contract as part of your application. Most consulates want to see a 12-month contract in your name; a few will accept six months, but 12 months is the safer assumption. That means you can’t just book an Airbnb and hope for the best – you usually need a proper long-term lease that’s registered with Finanças. And this is where many people hit a very …

How To Get a Número de Utente (SNS Number) in Portugal

Mia Esmeriz On Learning Portuguese in 6 Months

Cost of Living in Portugal: What You’ll Actually Spend Month to Month

Can I Move to Portugal If I’m Not an EU Citizen? (Yes — Here’s How)

How To Move to Portugal From the USA

How Liz Sharma from Talk the Streets Fell in Love with Portugal

Dealing with Noisy Houses & Apartments in Portugal

How to Stay Warm in Portuguese Houses During Winter

How to Sell Your House in Portugal Without An Estate Agent

What is a Fiador and How Do I Get one?