A guide to using ATMs in Portugal
At some point or other, you’ll probably need to withdraw money from an ATM in Portugal. While card payments are becoming more common, particularly in more modern or touristy establishments, cash is still preferred. In many cafés and restaurants and in places where cards are accepted, foreign bank cards are not (often the machine is “broken”). It’s also a good idea to carry some change for tips to ensure the money goes to the server. Normally, you can withdraw up …
Portugal Trains: How to get around Portugal by Train
Portugal has a great train service. It’s old, and it’s a little slow in comparison to the trains in many other European countries, but it’s functional. Sometimes the air con even works as well! There are four different types of train in Portugal: Train routes run throughout Portugal and connect all of the major regions by rail. Not every town has a train station, but the majority of the large towns and cities do. If you can’t find a train …
16 Reasons People End Up Leaving Portugal
Thousands of people move to Portugal every year and the vast majority of them end up staying, at least for a good few years. But some people decide that Portugal just isn’t the right fit for them. The reasons people decide this are endless, and are often very personal, but having spoken to lots of expats who’ve made this big decision, there are a few common reasons. The purpose of this article isn’t to present a list of reasons you …
Buying Books in Portugal
Buying books, especially foreign-language books, can be a challenge in Portugal. And, if you can find the book you want, it often costs a lot more than you’re used to paying for a book. Getting used to the higher prices for books is just a part of living in Portugal, but the bigger challenge is not being able to find the book you want at all. All of this wasn’t such a big issue prior to Brexit. However, now that …
Moving a Startup from San Francisco to Lisbon: An Interview with Bounce Founder Cody Candee
Bounce is the largest network of luggage storage and locker providers worldwide. It’s popular with travelers or people going to events who want to leave their luggage on arrival or departure day, instead of dragging their bags around the city. In 2023, Bounce made the decision to base their HQ out of Lisbon, a move which Cody Candee was kind enough to discuss with Portugalist. James: I’m curious why you chose Lisbon over cities like Berlin, Paris, London, or other …
Schools in Portugal: How to Choose The Right School For Your Children
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 …
Understanding Taxes in Portugal
Moving to Portugal means getting familiar with a new tax system. Whether you’re retiring here, working remotely, or starting a business, understanding your tax obligations is crucial. The good news? While Portuguese taxes aren’t the lowest in Europe, they’re often more manageable than many assume. Plus, with Portugal’s lower living costs and various tax deductions available, many newcomers find their overall expenses quite reasonable – especially compared to countries like the US, where healthcare and property taxes can take a …
Getting Around Portugal By Public Transport
If you don’t drive, or just don’t want to drive, you can easily get around mainland Portugal by public transport (Madeira and The Azores can be a little trickier). Public transport in Portugal is good, particularly if you’re going to large towns or cities. Some of the smaller towns and villages are a little harder to get to, and usually have fewer services, but it’s almost always doable, although sometimes you’ll have to rely on taxis as well. Cities like …
Buses in Portugal: How To Get Around Portugal By Bus
Following on from the article about getting around Portugal by train, I’ve put together a guide to getting around Portugal by bus. I’ve travelled extensively by bus here – taking buses throughout the country and even into Spain as well. Portugal has an extensive bus network that is made up of two types of buses which I think of as “local buses” and “coaches.” The coaches are usually for trips lasting for several hours but can be as little as …
Can You Move to Portugal With Pre-Existing Health Conditions?
Moving abroad is scary enough. But when you have pre-existing conditions? It gets properly terrifying. Right now, you’ve got a setup that works. Your doctor knows your history, your prescriptions are sorted, your medical records are more or less all in one place. Everything’s familiar, even if it’s not perfect. Then you start thinking about Portugal. What happens to your medications? Will insurance companies cover you? How long until you can access the public health system, and can you access …