Latest Articles - Page 13

20+ Foods American Expats in Portugal Miss Most (And Where to Find Some of Them)

A stack of pancakes topped with melting butter, syrup, and a small American flag on a plate. Fresh strawberries and blueberries garnish the plate. Additional bowls of blueberries and strawberries are in the background. The scene is set outdoors.

Portugal has some fantastic food (pastéis de nata at the top of that list) but there are always some home comforts that you’re going to miss, regardless of where you’re from. Thankfully, you’ll be able to find a lot of these products in Portugal, particularly long-life products. However, some products (like dairy products) are harder to find, due to the distance, and some items are more related to American culture rather than a certain food (e.g. American-style takeaway coffees). If …

A supermarket aisle with well-stocked shelves displaying various products, including bottles of condiments, oils, and sauces on the right, and packaged food items on the left. Shoppers can be seen in the background with shopping carts. The floor is tiled.

Groceries are one of the biggest day-to-day costs that most people have and so you may be wondering how much it’ll cost you to do your weekly shopping in Portugal. Most people assume it’ll be cheaper – after all, wages are lower in Portugal – but that often depends on where you’re coming from and where you shop. Groceries are cheaper when compared to the US and Canada, but that’s not necessarily the case when you compare grocery costs to …

A smiling couple and their young son are looking at a laptop together. The woman is wearing a yellow top, and the man is in a blue denim shirt. The boy, who is seated, is focused on the screen. They appear to be enjoying their time together.

If you’re moving to Portugal with children, one of your biggest questions is probably: how do we help them learn Portuguese? It’s true that children often pick up languages faster than adults. But that does not mean you want to throw them straight into the deep end and hope for the best. Most parents would prefer to give their kids a gentler start, with time to hear the language, recognize common words, and build confidence before school or day-to-day life …

A serene beach scene with calm waves gently washing onto the shore. Rocky cliffs covered in patches of greenery rise in the background under a clear blue sky. The smooth sand reflects the surrounding landscape, creating a peaceful and picturesque view.

For Americans, Brits, Canadians, Australians, and anyone else without an EU/EEA or Swiss passport, Portugal’s 90-days-in-180-days Schengen rule is often the first big headache. It’s fine for a short trip, but not ideal if you’re thinking about moving here— or even doing a longer “test-the-waters” stay. The good news? You can stay longer. But the routes differ hugely in cost, commitment, tax consequences, and how much time you’re expected to spend in Portugal. This guide walks you through your options …

Can You Learn European Portuguese with Duolingo?

Duolingo is one of the most popular language learning apps and so it isn’t surprising that many people download it when they decide to learn Portuguese. But after a while, some people end up realising that Duolingo teaches Brazilian Portuguese and not European Portuguese. This might not seem like a big deal. After all, many people learn American English and get by in the UK just fine (and vice versa). Unfortunately, the differences between European and Brazilian Portuguese are a …

A woman wearing headphones sits at a wooden table in front of a laptop. She is writing in a notebook with a pen. The background features large green plants and window blinds that let in natural light. Glasses and other items are placed on the table.

If you’re learning European Portuguese, a good milestone to aim for is the A2 level. This level, which is the second level in the CEFR scale, will give you enough Portuguese to navigate many basic day-to-day conversations and basically just get by. The B1 and B2 levels (or intermediate) will give you more skills to handle day-to-day conversations and really get by, but at the A2 level, also known as upper-beginner, you’ll have a good foundation on which to keep …

A narrow cobblestone street lined with whitewashed buildings in varying states of disrepair. The buildings have shuttered windows, and one at the end of the street features a blue door. A bright blue sky is visible overhead.

Portugal is an incredibly hilly country (Lisbon, like Rome, is said to be built on seven hills, for example) with lots of narrow, cobbled streets. While this can be charming to look at, it’s not particularly appealing for those who are older or who have mobility issues. Thankfully, there are a few places that are a little flatter and more suited to those that want to avoid the hills. You can also live in Lisbon and Porto if you choose …

A group of professionals in business attire sitting around a table, holding and discussing documents with various charts and graphs. A laptop, cup of coffee, and more papers are on the table. Only the hands and partial torsos of the individuals are visible.

Portugal does offer residency by investment through the Portugal Golden Visa. But here’s the key thing to understand: Most people looking to live in Portugal don’t actually need it. It’s a common assumption that moving to Portugal means investing a large sum of money or buying property. In reality, investing is just one route—and for many people, not the best one. Also, another thing to note: you can no longer qualify for the Golden Visa by buying property. So while …

If you’re an EU citizen — for example, from Ireland, Germany, or France — moving to Portugal is refreshingly straightforward. Unlike non-EU citizens, you don’t need to apply for a visa before you move. You can just… come. No need to rent a property in advance. No waiting months for a visa to be approved. No navigating the D7, D2, or Golden Visa paperwork. You simply need to show you can support yourself in Portugal (we’ll cover how in a …

People wait on red chairs in a Segurança Social office in Portugal, with staff assisting others and flags and posters in the background.

You’ve probably already dealt with getting your NIF (tax number). Now you’re hearing about the NISS – and wondering why you need yet another number. Here’s the thing: the NISS used to be straightforward. If you worked for a Portuguese company, you needed one. If you didn’t work, you probably didn’t. But the rules have changed, and now many visa applicants and residents are being asked for a NISS in situations that seem confusing. Want to get your hands on …

20+ Foods American Expats in Portugal Miss Most (And Where to Find Some of Them)

How Much Do Groceries Cost in Portugal? A Realistic Monthly Budget

European Portuguese Resources for Kids

How to Stay in Portugal For More Than 90 Days (as a non-EU citizen)

Can You Learn European Portuguese with Duolingo?

Beyond The Basics: How to Learn Portuguese to A2 Level

9 of the Flattest, Most Wheelchair Accessible Places in Portugal

Does Portugal Offer Residency By Investment? Yes, But Do You Really Need It.

Moving to Portugal as an EU/EEA/Swiss Citizen: No Visa Needed — Here’s the Process

How to Get a NISS (Social Security) Number in Portugal