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Exchanging Your Driving Licence for a Portuguese One: What to Expect

Close-up view of a driver's license, focusing on the section listing vehicle categories and restrictions. Rows are labeled with codes (A1, A, B1, B, C1) with corresponding icons for different vehicle types, such as motorcycles, cars, and trucks.

One of the many administrative tasks that you need to think about when becoming resident in Portugal is exchanging your driving licence. Everyone will need to do this at some point, but the time-frame will depend on where you’re moving from. Moving from another EU Country Driving licenses that have been issued by countries belonging to the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) are valid in Portugal, until the expiration date printed …

A man with a beard is looking down while holding a large white sign that reads "DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?" in bold, black letters. He is wearing a black vest over a gray shirt and standing against a plain, gray background.

One of the most frequently asked questions on Portugalist is: how widely is English spoken in Portugal? Can I get by with English or do I really need to learn Portuguese? You may have travelled or lived in other European countries like France or Spain where English isn’t always spoken. Portugal’s not like that. When it comes to speaking English as a second language, Portugal is the 9th most proficient country in the world, according to the EF English Proficiency …

A bright red British-style telephone box stands on a cobblestone street corner, with a large historic white building featuring arched windows and unique chimneys in the background. The sky above is clear with a hint of clouds.

Every year, thousands of people move from the UK to Portugal, especially to the coastal Algarve region in the south. It’s easy to see why: Portugal has great weather, an interesting culture and history, English is widely spoken, and there’s already a large British expat community. Oh, and let’s not forget the affordable wine as well. Although most people do a lot of research about Portugal before moving here, and many will have spent a lot of time here on …

A man and a woman sit at a table, reviewing and signing a document together. The man, wearing glasses and a light blue shirt, holds a pen and signs the paper, while the woman in a black dress with lace sleeves looks on attentively.

A major step in the Portuguese property buying process is putting down a deposit and signing the promissory contract. You’ve already made an offer, but the promissory contract confirms you want to go ahead with the sale. Although putting down a deposit is a normal part of the buying process in many countries, in Portugal this is a much bigger step as the promissory contract (Contrato de Promessa de Compra e Venda or just CPCV) makes it difficult for either …

Review: “The Journey” from Portuguese With Carla

You may have come across Portuguese With Carla before. Carla runs a popular podcast, YouTube channel, and website where she teaches European Portuguese alongside her husband Marlon. Their latest innovation, The Journey, is an incredibly creative way of teaching European Portuguese – from beginner to advanced. The Journey follows a story, which the trailer below gives a preview of. In it, the main character, Carla, receives a letter informing her of an inheritance left behind by her estranged father. What …

A doctor wearing a white coat and stethoscope smiles while speaking with a woman and a young girl in a medical office. In the foreground, text reads “Understanding Health Insurance in Portugal.”.

Feeling lost in the maze of Portuguese healthcare? Trying to get health insurance quotes but ending up with a headache instead of answers? We get it – it’s confusing! Health insurance isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s a must-have for many visas (hello, D7 and Digital Nomad Visa!) and increasingly recommended for, well, just about everyone else. Don’t worry, though – we’ve got your back! At Portugalist, we’ve been the trusty sidekicks for folks moving to Portugal since 2016. …

A bright and clear day view of a sprawling cityscape in Lisbon, Portugal, featuring numerous tightly packed buildings with red-tiled roofs. The city is set against a backdrop of rolling hills, with many clusters of buildings extending into the distance under a clear blue sky.

Are you dreaming of moving to Portugal but struggling to find suitable accommodation? Don’t worry: you’re not alone! For most residency visas (D7, Digital Nomad Visa, D2, D1, and D3), you’ll need proof of accommodation before you can even apply. Sounds a bit backwards, right? Well, that’s just how it works. But don’t fret – thousands of people do this every year. What Counts as “Suitable Accommodation”? Don’t worry, we’re here to help make the process a breeze! How to …

A smiling elderly couple sits on a white couch in a bright living room, both looking towards a television. The man has his legs crossed and the woman is holding a remote control. They appear relaxed and are leaning slightly towards each other.

Over the years, there have been lots of different ways to watch British television from Portugal whether through satellite dishes, VPNs, or just about any other method. Despite attempts from the BBC and other British TV channels to limit British TV to just those physically in the UK, someone always seems to know a way around the system. These days, most of the workarounds are online-based, which is one good reason to get a good internet connection in your home. If …

A woman with short curly hair sits on a rooftop terrace using a laptop. She is wearing a white crop top and black and white striped pants. The terrace overlooks a scenic city with a river and distant bridge visible. A tablet and camera are on the table.

Wondering if you’ll be able to binge-watch your favorite shows or video call your friends back home without buffering nightmares? Well, get ready for some good news – Portugal is home to some wonderful high-speed internet. BUT…(and this is a big but) not everywhere in Portugal has fibre-optic internet. While fibre optic broadband (called internet fixa or banda larga) is available throughout Portugal, and according to our own research, 76% of Portugalist readers have been able to get it at …

A man stands in front of an open electrical meter box, taking a photo of the meter's display with his smartphone. The meter shows the reading in black numbers on a white background. He appears to be documenting the reading.

Picture this: you’ve just stepped into your new Portuguese abode. The sun streams through the windows, casting a warm glow on the terracotta tiles. The aroma of fresh pastéis de nata wafts in from a nearby bakery. It’s perfect, except for one small detail – you can’t turn on the lights, run the tap, or cook your dinner. Welcome to the often overlooked, yet crucial chapter of your Portuguese adventure – setting up utilities. Setting up water, electricity, and gas …

Exchanging Your Driving Licence for a Portuguese One: What to Expect

Do They Speak English in Portugal? An Honest Region-by-Region Answer

Living in Portugal VS the UK: What’s Different & What’s the Same?

Understanding the Promissory Contract

Review: “The Journey” from Portuguese With Carla

Health Insurance in Portugal: Get A Quote Today

What Are My Accommodation Options for the D7 Visa?

6 Ways to Watch British TV in Portugal

Internet in Portugal: Which Provider, What Speed, and What It Costs

Utilities in Portugal: How to Set Up Water, Gas, & Electricity