Living in Portugal - Page 3

16 Honest Cons of Living in Portugal That Nobody Talks About (and 11 Pros)

A person wearing black-rimmed glasses looks upwards, with a contemplative expression. Above their head, "CONS." and "PROS." are written, separated by a vertical and horizontal line, suggesting a comparison chart. The background is grey and plain.

You’ve done your research, watched the videos, read the blog posts. Sunshine, beaches, cheap wine, €10 lunches. That sounds perfect. A little too perfect maybe? Don’t get me wrong—there’s a lot to love about Portugal. And I truly think it’s a great place to live. But the Portugal that’s advertised online—by lawyers, realtors, and YouTubers who’ve only been in the country for about five minutes—is very different from the reality. I think that’s why you sometimes see those Portugal SUCKS …

View from an airplane window showing a blue sky with a few wispy clouds above and farmland below. The airplane's wing extends from the bottom right corner of the image. The window frame is partially visible.

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 …

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. …

A close-up of a shopping cart in the aisle of a grocery store. The cart's metal frame is in focus on the left, while shelves stocked with various products blur towards the bright light at the end of the aisle, where two figures are faintly visible.

No matter how much you try to deny it, and no matter how much you love Portuguese food, there are always things that you miss from home. It could be strong tea bags (British), Vegemite (Australians), Tayto crisps (Irish), sausages (Germans), or BBQ (Americans). Although you can find some of these things in the Portuguese supermarkets, particularly the larger supermarkets, you probably won’t be able to find the majority of things that you’re looking for. Thankfully, there are an ever-increasing …

12 Of the Most Expat-Friendly Places in Portugal

In this guide, we’ll take you on a fun and exciting journey through the best places to live in Portugal as an expat. We’ll explore the vibrant city life of Porto and the beauty of the North of Portugal, the peaceful charm of the Silver Coast, and the laid-back lifestyle of the Algarve in the south. Along the way, we’ll give you a taste of what life could be like in each of these amazing locations, so you can find …

A blue Walmart shopping cart is positioned in an empty parking lot in front of a large Walmart store. The sky is clear and sunny, and a tree is partially visible on the left side of the image.

If you’re moving to Portugal from the US, you may be used to certain supermarkets like Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Target, and Whole Foods. Generally speaking, most of these stores don’t have outlets in Europe and that includes Walmart – although there are Costco stores in Spain. Is there a Portuguese equivalent of Walmart? Not really. The nearest is probably one of the larger Continente stores, one of the main supermarket chains in Portugal, as the larger stores tend to have …

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 hand is holding a clear glass under a chrome kitchen faucet, filling it with water. The background features white tile walls.

When you move to Portugal, sorting out your water supply is key, along with sorting out other utilities like electricity and gas and arranging home internet. In Portugal, water services are managed by local municipalities. This means you don’t get much choice with your provider; it depends on where you live. Each area has its own supplier, and information about your specific provider is available through your local municipality. For example, Aguas de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo looks after …

A train station platform with several people sitting on benches under a canopy, waiting beside the yellow and white train. Train tracks run parallel in the foreground, and the sky is partly cloudy.

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 …

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 …

16 Honest Cons of Living in Portugal That Nobody Talks About (and 11 Pros)

16 Honest Reasons People End Up Leaving Portugal

Where to Buy Electronics & Appliances in Portugal

10+ Expat Supermarkets & Online Shops For That Essential Taste of Home

12 Of the Most Expat-Friendly Places in Portugal

Is there Walmart in Portugal?

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

Getting Your Water Connected in Portugal

Portugal Trains: How to Buy Tickets, Which Routes, and What It Actually Costs

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