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Portugal Citizenship Vote Postponed: How These Last Minute Proposals Could Affect You

Parliament was expected to vote this week on major changes to Portugal’s nationality law, including extending the required residency period for citizenship. But last-minute proposals from two parties — Partido Socialista (PS) and Chega — have postponed the vote. Adding to the uncertainty, the death of former Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão has led to a two-day suspension of parliamentary activities, meaning the vote may be delayed further. Here’s what’s on the table — and what these changes could mean …

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa signed the revised Foreigners Law into effect, after the legislation was approved by 70% of parliament. This new law represents one of the most significant overhauls of immigration rules in recent years. While some changes are technical, others will have a direct impact on people who are moving to Portugal, applying for residency, or bringing family members here. Below, we’ll break down the key changes — and what they might mean for you. 1. Family …

A vintage LAVIS 812 television with a red frame, black screen, and control knobs on the right side. The TV has dials for UHF and VHF channels, volume, tone, and brightness. The set is placed on a wooden surface against a blurred background.

Watching Portuguese TV can be a great way to learn a few new Portuguese words and phrases and immerse yourself in the sounds of the Portuguese language. Unless your Portuguese is already at a very good level, you’re going to need to watch TV with Portuguese subtitles (legendas). That way, you can listen and read at the same time and you’ll have a much better understanding of what’s going on. As you progress, you’ll get to a point where you …

A person is holding a tablet displaying an Amazon webpage. The webpage shows a search for Portuguese dictionaries, featuring listings for "Oceano Pocket Dictionary" and "Dicionário de Portugais 100% Visual." The handheld tablet has a black case.

Yes, you can shop at Amazon from Portugal. Amazon doesn’t have a warehouse in Portugal so you’ll have to shop at one of the Amazon stores in another country (for example Amazon UK, Spain, or Germany). Which Amazon should you shop at? Generally speaking, Amazon.es (Amazon Spain) is the best option for several reasons: The second best option is Amazon.de (Amazon Germany). The products are sometimes cheaper here, but you will typically need to pay for postage and, due to …

A white and brown bulldog sits in the back seat of a car, looking out the rear window. The dog wears a black collar and has a contemplative expression. Sunlight illuminates the interior and the snowy, urban landscape outside the car.

If you’ve been dreaming of sunshine, seaside towns, and a better lifestyle in Portugal, but hesitated because of the hassle of bringing your pet, there’s great news: the EU Pet Passport scheme is back for UK residents. As of May 19, 2025, a new agreement between the UK and EU means that pet passports are once again valid for cats and dogs traveling from the UK to the EU. This marks a welcome end to the post-Brexit red tape that …

A person’s hand holding a passport and boarding pass rests on the handle of a blue suitcase at an airport check-in area, with blurred signs and counters in the background.

A new proposal from the Portuguese government could dramatically reshape who qualifies for Portuguese citizenship — and how long they’ll have to wait. On June 23rd, the government approved a bill to increase the minimum legal residency period to obtain Portuguese nationality. The plan: This bill now heads to the Assembly of the Republic, where it will be debated and voted on. It is not yet law, but the government is clearly pushing for reform. What Exactly Is Being Proposed? …

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 …

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 young woman with a ponytail, wearing a yellow shirt, is sitting at a desk writing in a notebook. A laptop with an open document, various stationary items, and a jar of colorful candies are placed on the desk. The room has a cozy and organized setup.

A B2 level of Portuguese is a fantastic level to aim for. It isn’t as daunting as the C1, which can often take years to achieve, but it’s something that some people will be able to achieve in less than a year. Having a B2 or upper-intermediate level of Portuguese will give you the skills and confidence to speak Portuguese at quite a confident level. You may still struggle with accents, certain vocabulary or phrases, and expressing yourself as comfortably …

A man in a plaid shirt sits in a library, reading a book and holding a pencil to his mouth. He is surrounded by shelves filled with books, with a tall stack of books beside him on the table. The atmosphere is studious and quiet.

While a lot of people aim for an A2 level of Portuguese, as this is the level needed to obtain Portuguese citizenship, aiming for a B1 or lower-intermediate is a lot more practical if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in Portugal. Ideally, you should use this as a stepping stone to work towards a B2 level of Portuguese. With a B1 level, you’ll be able to have slightly more complex conversations and understand a lot more …

Portugal Citizenship Vote Postponed: How These Last Minute Proposals Could Affect You

Portugal’s New Foreigners Law: What It Means for You

20+ Portuguese TV Shows (With Subtitles) That You Can Stream

How To Shop At Amazon from Portugal

Big News for Pet Owners: Moving to Portugal from the UK Just Got Easier

Is Portugal Really Raising the Citizenship Residency Requirement to 10 Years?

Beyond The Basics: How to Learn Portuguese to A2 Level

Can You Learn European Portuguese with Duolingo?

Learning Portuguese to B2 (Upper-Intermediate) Level

Learning Portuguese to B1 (Lower-intermediate) Level