Latest Articles - Page 18

What is a Fiador and How Do I Get one?

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 …

A view looking up at four adjacent old buildings with colorful, intricate facades. The left building is red, the center-left is yellow, the center-right is white, and the right building is beige. Each building has balconies and multiple windows, with a blue sky above.

One of the biggest challenges of moving to Portugal is finding somewhere to rent — and for most people, it’s not something you can leave until after you arrive. If you’re applying for a Portuguese residency visa such as the D7 (passive income) or the Digital Nomad Visa, you’ll need a signed lease before your application goes in. Most consulates expect that lease to be 12 months long and registered with Finanças, Portugal’s tax authority. There are some exceptions — …

A blurred image of a bookshelf filled with various colorful books. The books are arranged in multiple rows, and the focus is soft, making it difficult to distinguish individual titles or authors. The shelves appear to be packed with a variety of books.

These days, most people who are learning European Portuguese will want to do so via a course or an app. We all have our phones on us all the time, making it easy to study whenever we want, and, besides, most apps or websites offer a lot more functionality than a book. That said, there’s a lot to be said for picking up a book — especially if you already have to sit in front of a computer for work. …

A person wearing a green plaid shirt is crouched down, sealing a cardboard box with clear packing tape using a tape dispenser. Several other cardboard boxes are visible in the blurred background, indicating a moving or packing activity.

One of the big costs of moving to Portugal – both financially but also emotionally and mentally – is the cost of moving all your stuff here. The cost will depend on how much you want to ship, and where you’re located. Naturally, someone located in Spain, for example, would pay a lot less than someone located in the US. As the US is a big place, there are often differences in prices depending on where you’re located. So, prices …

A person wearing a safari hat and khaki clothing stands in front of a jungle-like backdrop, gazing intently at the camera. They have a serious expression, with a determined look on their face. The background is lush and green, giving a sense of exploration.

Planning a scouting trip to Portugal takes serious preparation. This isn’t just a vacation—you’re on a reconnaissance mission to figure out if Portugal is right for you, where you want to live, and potentially even secure a property. This comprehensive guide will help you make the most of every precious moment of your time in Portugal. The Three Critical Questions Your Scouting Trip Must Answer When you arrive in Portugal, you’re here to determine three fundamental things: 1. Do I …

Joel wearing a beige cap and green t-shirt is holding a baby dressed in white. The man is looking down and smiling at the baby, who is staring at the camera with a curious expression. They are indoors, with a shelf and a television in the background.

Practice Portuguese is one of the most comprehensive (and most popular) tools for learning European Portuguese. It’s something many people living in Portugal will be familiar with, but most people probably don’t know the story of how it came to be. In this interview, I chat to Joel Rendall about how he came to live in Portugal, the difference between life here and life in Canada, and his personal tips for learning Portuguese. Also worth mentioning: Practice Portuguese normally costs …

A person with curly hair, wearing a yellow coat, stands on a stone staircase and smiles while talking on the phone. Sunlight illuminates part of the scene, and the stairs are flanked by walls with graffiti.

If you’re living in Portugal, you should get a Portuguese phone number. While a number of people keep their phone numbers, particularly those from other EU countries who can take advantage of roaming, it’s definitely a good idea to have a Portuguese number. Here’s why: Basically, if you move to Portugal, you need a phone number so people can contact you and you’ll want mobile data. How Much Does A Phone Plan Cost? As an example, here’s a real quote …

Reality check before we dive in: Portuguese food is generally simple, fresh, and comforting rather than spicy or sauce-heavy. If you’re expecting Thai/Mexican “boom-pow” flavours every meal, you’ll think it’s plain. If you lean into great ingredients, grills, stews, soups, and the right regional spots, you’ll eat very well. This guide sets expectations honestly and shows you how to order for maximum flavour. There are hundreds of Portuguese dishes (and more than 365 ways to cook bacalhau alone), but most …

A woman wearing headphones smiles while looking at her laptop. She is sitting at a desk and taking notes in an open notebook, with shelves and plants in the background.

If you’re thinking about moving to Portugal, you may be overwhelmed at the thought of having to learn European Portuguese. But don’t worry: this article is designed for beginners and intermediate-level speakers, showing you the best resources, tips, and tricks to get from zero to fluency—and without blowing the budget! Although English is widely spoken in Portugal, particularly in places like Lisbon and the Algarve, you will need Portuguese to get by, make Portuguese friends, and integrate into the culture. …

An open book displays verb conjugation charts in Portuguese. The left page shows conjugations for the verb "fazer," and the right page shows conjugations for the verb "ferir." Both pages include various tenses and grammatical moods. Green leaves are visible in the background.

The Portuguese passport is becoming increasingly popular, not least because having it gives you the right to move to any EU country (including Portugal, of course). Many people have a claim to a Portuguese passport — for example, by having a Portuguese grandparent or having lived in Portugal for more than five years — and are now trying to take advantage of their ability to get a second passport. However, often showing an A2 level of Portuguese is required (also …

What is a Fiador and How Do I Get one?

How To Actually Find A Rental in Portugal

Books for Learning European Portuguese

Removals to Portugal: How to Ship Your Stuff to Your New Home

How to Plan a Portugal Scouting Trip That Actually Tells You What You Need to Know

From Cruise Ship Musician to Practice Portuguese Co-Founder – An Interview with Joel Rendall

Phone Plans in Portugal: Which Network, What SIM, and What It Costs

What Portuguese Food Is Really Like (& 18 Dishes To Try)

How to Actually Learn European Portuguese (Get Fluent — Don’t Just Play With Apps)

The A2 Language Test (CIPLE) for Portuguese Citizenship