Living in Portugal

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 wearing a badge is assisting a woman at a reception desk. The woman, with a ponytail, is leaning on the counter, holding a black handbag and looking at the book the man is writing in. The background features minimalistic decor and a vase with white flowers.

If you’re familiar with the NIF (tax number) in Portugal, get ready to add another crucial number to your list: the número de utente or SNS number. This number is your gateway to the Portuguese public healthcare system, and it’s a must-have for anyone planning to reside in Portugal. What is the SNS Number? The SNS number allows you to access: Obtain your SNS number as soon as you become a resident in Portugal. Healthcare is vital, so this should …

A person is holding a Samsung smartphone, browsing an online shopping app displaying various black jackets. The person appears to be sitting indoors, looking at product images and details on the screen, with a wooden piece of furniture in the background.

Although Portugal has fantastic high-speed home internet, online shopping is not as popular in Portugal as it is in other countries. But it’s growing in popularity – both as a way of buying from Portuguese retailers and also as a way of buying (often cheaper) products from abroad. Read the guides Shopping at some sites – Amazon, for example – isn’t always straight-forward, but Portugalist’s guides help make things easy to understand. Amazon Amazon doesn’t officially have a presence in …

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 …

Moving to Portugal is an exciting adventure, but it often comes with a crucial decision: whether to buy a car. While Portugal boasts charming cities with decent public transportation, having your own set of wheels can open up a world of possibilities. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about buying a car in Portugal, from assessing your needs to navigating the purchase process. Do You Really Need a Car in Portugal? It’s a question …

7 Places For Alternative Living in Portugal

With its warm weather, laid-back lifestyle, and great selection of fresh, locally-produced fruit and vegetables, Portugal is a popular destination for those seeking a greener, more conscious, eco-friendly lifestyle. You’ll find like-minded people all throughout the country, but there are a few spots that particularly stand out. If moving to an area where there’s already a large community of similar-minded people, then these should be at the top of your priority list. The Algarve When some people think of the Algarve, they …

A display of beef jerky products labeled "Azores Beef Jerky," with one package of pork jerky in the center. Each packet is paired with a bowl of jerky pieces. The setup is decorated with a festive red and green plaid border on a burlap cloth.

In this interview, Tricia Alker explains how she moved from the US to the island of Pico in the Azores. She talks about how they had initially planned to start another business within the seafood industry, but life had other plans and they ended up starting Azores Jerky, a beef jerky company. What motivated you to move from California to Pico island in the Azores? In 1998 my husband was asked by a colleague/friend in California to help in a …

The exterior of a Costco Wholesale store, featuring a large red and blue company sign above the entrance. The building has brick accents and several red bollards and trash bins lined up in front. The sky is clear and blue.

Costco doesn’t have a store in Portugal, at least currently. There are, however, Costco stores in neighbouring Spain. Although Costco has stores in a handful of locations in Spain, the most popular store for people living in Portugal is the Seville store. If you live in Faro, the drive time to Costco in Seville is just a little over 2 hours. If you live in Lisbon, the drive time is around 4.5 hours, depending on traffic. For those living in …

Living in Portugal Without A Car

A lot of people that dream of moving to Portugal dream of ditching the car and relying on public transport instead. And you can do this with varying degrees of success, depending on where you live and how determined you are to make this work. Besides weighing up whether the place you’re moving to is car-friendly, the main thing you need to think about is the lifestyle you plan to have in Portugal. Do you plan to go to the …

A man and a woman are in an appliance store. They stand together examining a front-loading washing machine. The store is filled with various household appliances, including washing machines and other equipment displayed on shelves.

If you’re planning on moving to Portugal, you may be wondering where you buy electronics and appliances and what the cost is likely to be. For those coming from the UK or US, the cost may be more than you’re used to paying, but due to the cost of shipping, the challenges of getting your stuff through Portuguese customs, and the differences in power, it can often make more sense to sell your stuff and buy afresh once you move. …

Mia Esmeriz On Learning Portuguese in 6 Months

How To Get a Número de Utente (SNS Number) in Portugal

Online Shopping in Portugal

How To Shop At Amazon from Portugal

Cruising Through Bureaucracy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a Car in Portugal

7 Places For Alternative Living in Portugal

Interview: How Tricia & Griff Alker Started a Beef Jerky Business in the Azores

Are there Costco Stores in Portugal?

Living in Portugal Without A Car

Where to Buy Electronics & Appliances in Portugal