Living in Portugal - Page 5

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

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 …

A white and red Rede Expressos bus is parked at a bus station on a sunny day in Portugal. The bus station has a shelter and a few people sitting on benches. In the background, there are trees, residential buildings, and a tall apartment complex.

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 …

Close-up view of a driver's license, focusing on the section listing vehicle categories and restrictions. Rows are labeled with codes (A1, A, B1, B, C1) with corresponding icons for different vehicle types, such as motorcycles, cars, and trucks.

One of the many administrative tasks that you need to think about when becoming resident in Portugal is exchanging your driving licence. Everyone will need to do this at some point, but the time-frame will depend on where you’re moving from. Moving from another EU Country Driving licenses that have been issued by countries belonging to the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) are valid in Portugal, until the expiration date printed …

A blue and red Commuter train labeled "2295" rides on a double-track railway under clear skies. The train, belonging to Comboios de Portugal (CP), is moving through a rural area with power lines and a bridge visible in the background, showcasing the scenic beauty of Portugal.

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 …

A man with a beard is looking down while holding a large white sign that reads "DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?" in bold, black letters. He is wearing a black vest over a gray shirt and standing against a plain, gray background.

One of the most frequently asked questions on Portugalist is: how widely is English spoken in Portugal? Can I get by with English or do I really need to learn Portuguese? You may have travelled or lived in other European countries like France or Spain where English isn’t always spoken. Portugal’s not like that. When it comes to speaking English as a second language, Portugal is the 9th most proficient country in the world, according to the EF English Proficiency …

A brown leather wallet with a gold zipper is partially open, showing several euro banknotes in various denominations protruding from it. The wallet lies on a reflective surface, highlighting the intricate designs and holographic features of the banknotes.

Portugal’s minimum wage is €920 per month in 2026, and that number matters because it is also the baseline many people use when they first look at moving to Portugal. In some cases, if you have at least that amount in passive income, such as a pension or US Social Security, you may potentially qualify to move here on the D7 Visa. But that figure does not tell you what it actually costs to live well in a place like …

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

Getting Around Portugal by Bus: How It Works and When to Use It

Exchanging Your Driving Licence for a Portuguese One: What to Expect

Public Transport in Portugal: Trains, Buses, Metro — What Goes Where

Do They Speak English in Portugal? An Honest Region-by-Region Answer

Cost of Living in the Algarve: What a Month Actually Costs