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Mia Esmeriz On Learning Portuguese in 6 Months

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 …

A man with dark hair and a beard is working on a laptop at a desk in a modern, open-plan office. He is wearing a blue shirt and a black smartwatch. In the background, another person is talking on the phone at a different desk.

The Startup Visa is a program run by IAPMEI in Portugal, designed for entrepreneurs from outside the EU/EEA/Swiss region. It’s an initiative to draw investment, talent, and innovation into Portugal’s growing startup scene. As well as dependent family members, up to five partners can be included on the application. With this residency visa, entrepreneurs not only get the chance to live in Portugal but also gain access to the wide array of supports and incentives offered by the StartUP Portugal …

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 round loaf of bread, reminiscent of traditional Portuguese baking, is cut into four sections, with one piece lifted to reveal a green, garlic-herb spread inside. The bread appears toasted and crispy with a soft, fluffy interior. The loaf rests on a piece of parchment paper on a wicker surface.

Situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, closer to Morocco than it is to Portugal, the island of Madeira is a unique part of Portugal with its own history, customs, and food. Many of these dishes are only really found in Madeira, and haven’t made their way into mainstream Portuguese cooking, and the only way to try them is to go and spend a few days on Madeira. Peixe Espada com Banana Peixe espada com banana is one of Madeira’s most …

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 …

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 — …

Mia Esmeriz On Learning Portuguese in 6 Months

Portugal’s Startup Visa: A Golden Ticket for Global Entrepreneurs

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

How To Move to Portugal From the USA

Madeira Food: 7 Dishes You Have to Try — Including One You Won’t Expect

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?

How To Actually Find A Rental in Portugal