James Cave - Page 8 - Portugalist

How to Stay Warm in Portuguese Houses During Winter

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 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 woman in a green dress with a white floral pattern is sitting on a ledge, smiling, with a scenic view of a coastal city with white buildings and red rooftops in the background under a clear blue sky.

Liz Sharma spotted a need for more engaging content for people learning European Portuguese. She set up Talk The Streets, which has become one of the most popular YouTube channels, and later set up her own very popular course. Check out her 7 tips for sounding like a local and free lesson for beginners. In this interview, we discuss how she learned Portuguese and where she thinks language learners should focus when learning European Portuguese. James: You have been studying …

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 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 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 …

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 metal serving dish filled with a hearty Portuguese stew of white beans, chunks of meat, and garnished with chopped fresh parsley. A spoon rests inside the dish, and it sits on a blue and white patterned plate.

People moving to Portugal tend to agonize over the same questions: Lisbon or Porto? Coast or city? Affordable or very affordable? Here’s one factor that doesn’t get enough attention: Porto has some of the best traditional Portuguese food in the country, and it’s food you can only really get in Porto. Yes, Porto has pizza, ramen, sushi, burgers, vegan cafés, brunch spots, and all the usual international options. You’ll also find Portuguese classics from across the country, including pastéis de …

An open book lies on a blue desk in an empty classroom. The classroom features a large chalkboard at the front, slightly out of focus, and rows of unoccupied desks. The image conveys a quiet, studious atmosphere.

Parents moving to Portugal face many decisions, and one of the most crucial is choosing the right school for their children. This guide aims to help you navigate the Portuguese education system and make an informed choice. Overview of the Portuguese Education System The Ministry of Education (Direção-Geral da Educação – DGE) regulates the education system in Portugal, which consists of four main stages: There are three main types of schools, especially at a secondary level: There are also religious …

Getting a Mortgage in Portugal as a Foreigner: What Banks Actually Want

Dreaming of owning a little slice of Portugal — maybe a sunny apartment overlooking the Algarve coast, a stone cottage in the Alentejo, or a city apartment in Lisbon? The good news is that getting a mortgage in Portugal is absolutely possible for foreigners. The process is more straightforward than you might think — as long as you understand how Portuguese banks work, what paperwork you’ll need, and what kind of deposit to expect. Since 2016, Portugalist has helped countless …

How to Stay Warm in Portuguese Houses During Winter

Dealing with Noisy Houses & Apartments in Portugal

How Liz Sharma from Talk the Streets Fell in Love with Portugal

How To Move to Portugal From the USA

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

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

Mia Esmeriz On Learning Portuguese in 6 Months

Porto’s Food Will Make You Want to Move Here. Start With These Dishes

Schools in Portugal: How to Choose The Right School For Your Children

Getting a Mortgage in Portugal as a Foreigner: What Banks Actually Want