2022-08-12 14:45
If you’re an EU citizen (you hold a passport for an EU member state like Germany or Ireland) the good news is that moving to Portugal is significantly easier than it is for those comin… Read More
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Featuring guides to the Algarve, Lisbon, Porto and the Azores, Portugalist covers everything you need to know about Portugal.
2022-08-12 13:48
Train travel in Portugal is extremely affordable. Sure, many of the trains are old, there isn’t a high-speed rail network like there is in other European countries, and the train netwo… Read More
2022-08-03 13:19
Internet speeds are a big priority for many people moving to Portugal, particularly those that will be working from home, are into gaming, or are just concerned about getting the same speeds… Read More
2022-08-02 16:02
If you’re learning Brazilian Portuguese rather than European Portuguese, you may be wondering what exam you can work towards. Most people are familiar with the Portuguese CAPLE system… Read More
2022-08-01 19:14
Situated around 50 km outside of Lisbon City Centre, the seaside town of Ericeira is a popular destination for young expats who want all the benefits of the coast with the proximity to Portu… Read More
2022-07-26 16:18
There are several numbers that you typically need when you live in Portugal. The most common of these, the NIF, is asked almost every time you make a purchase or register for something. Then… Read More
2022-07-25 15:23
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 yo… Read More
2022-07-20 11:12
Portugal has great internet coverage, but there are definitely some parts of the country that aren’t covered – not just by fibre broadband but by mobile internet as well. If that… Read More
2022-07-20 09:11
Sunshine, good wine, and beautiful beaches may be what attracts most people to Portugal, but for the Essential Citrus team, the appeal is citrus. Growing oranges in Portugal might not sound… Read More
2022-07-19 21:01
Summers in Portugal are great, but with temperatures that often top 40 °C in places, they are also incredibly hot – especially if you don’t have air conditioning. You can get… Read More
2022-07-13 11:30
For many people, one of the biggest questions that comes with moving to another country is: what’s the healthcare there like? In Portugal, the answer is pretty good, at least according… Read More
2022-07-13 10:05
Making sure your healthcare needs are met is an important consideration when you’re thinking about moving to Portugal. For most people this means: Obtaining an SNS number so they… Read More
2022-06-20 13:38
Good news for those considering applying for Portugal’s golden visa: SEF, the Portuguese Borders and Immigration Service, has begun taking new applications. This ends a hold on new gol… Read More
2022-06-13 19:57
As with anywhere, renting a room can be very hit or miss. Finding a nice room in a good location is hard enough, but it’s hard to also find a decent landlord, and clean, considerate fl… Read More
2022-06-01 17:41
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… Read More
2022-05-27 14:51
If you’re arriving into Faro before you can check into your accommodation, the last thing you want to do is wander around the city with suitcases and backpacks. While Faro isn’t… Read More
2022-05-17 11:04
Online shopping is great, but the process of getting your order is still a little tricky. Amazon Lockers are ideal for those that work or who have trouble getting their orders delivered, but… Read More
2022-04-21 06:50
Every country has its own property portals, such as Zillow or Realtor.com in the US and Rightmove or Zoopla in the UK. Naturally, Portugal has its own property websites as well and, although… Read More
2022-04-15 17:09
If you’ve fallen in love with Portugal, you may have decided that it’s time to buy a property here. That might be a second home that you’ll visit occasionally, a rental pro… Read More
2022-04-12 16:32
WARNING: unbalanced footnote start tag short code found.If this warning is irrelevant, please disable the syntax validation feature in the dashboard under General settings > Footnote star… Read More
2022-04-11 14:37
Yes, foreigners can buy property in Portugal even if they don’t live in Portugal. So if you’ve been thinking about buying a villa in the Algarve, an apartment in Lisbon, or a cot… Read More
2022-04-04 13:38
In 2022, the rules for Portugal’s golden visa changed. Prior to this, you could purchase a property anywhere in Portugal and as long as it was priced at €500,000 or above (or as l… Read More
2022-03-29 15:34
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… Read More
2022-03-25 18:31
The last big step in the buying process is the signing of the Deed of Purchase and Sale or Escritura de Compra e Venda (commonly referred to as the escritura). This is the point where you ha… Read More
2022-03-25 18:15
The Portuguese golden visa is one of the most popular Portuguese residency visas. It has many benefits, but the main one is that it only requires you to spend an average of just seven days p… Read More
2022-03-10 18:20
Portugal has said that Ukrainians are welcome in Portugal, and people all across the country have been doing their bit to help Ukrainians, whether it’s helping those still in Ukraine t… Read More
2022-03-06 12:22
“Portugal stands ready to support Member States neighbouring Ukraine to ensure international protection to those in need and to welcome Ukrainians who wish to continue their lives here… Read More
2022-02-23 16:46
David McNeill is the owner of Expat Empire, a website that helps you in the process of moving abroad and which he runs from Porto. But although he’s based in Portugal now, this wasn&rs&hell…Read More
2022-02-22 10:45
One of the best bits about learning a foreign language is getting to watch TV shows and movies in that language. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find movies and TV shows in Portuguese and i… Read More
2022-02-21 20:51
For many people moving to Portugal, one of the biggest draws is the weather. However, it’s important to understand that, despite its small size, the weather in Portugal can vary consid… Read More
2022-02-09 07:47
Bordr.io are offering Portugalist readers a €10 discount on the normal cost of getting a NIF through them. (€140 instead of €150) Discount code: PORTUGALIST After several year… Read More
2022-02-03 09:39
If you aren’t already resident in Portugal, you may not have a Portuguese NIF number. In fact, it’s quite likely that you don’t. It’s a number that can only be used a… Read More
2022-02-02 11:25
When you go to the checkout at a Portuguese supermarket, the cashier will normally ask you a question like contribuinte? This means would you like to register your NIF number against this re… Read More
2022-02-02 11:12
Adults who are resident in Portugal need a Número de Identificação Fiscal (or NIF for short). This number is used for most transactions in Portugal. It’s optionall… Read More
2022-02-01 16:21
There are a number of reasons to use your NIF number in Portugal. Firstly, it may be a requirement in certain instances (e.g. buying a house or car) and, secondly, it could reduce your Portu… Read More
2022-01-31 16:07
It’s not unusual for long-term couples, particularly married couples, to share things, such as a joint bank account. What’s mine is yours, after all. Some couples also share an e… Read More
2022-01-31 15:30
It can be easy to forget your NIF number, particularly if you spend an extended amount of time outside of Portugal. When you’re not using something every day, your brain simply pushes… Read More
2022-01-31 15:17
A common question people ask about the NIF or Portuguese fiscal number is whether or not it can expire. Often this question is asked by people who have lived in Portugal before, and held a N… Read More
2022-01-31 13:56
The NIF or Número de Identificação Fiscal can be a confusing topic, especially when it comes to how to get one. There are different rules, which vary depending on where… Read More
2022-01-31 13:44
It can often be difficult for people in Switzerland to understand where they stand when dealing with Portuguese guidelines. Most of the guidelines are written with EU citizens or residents i… Read More
2022-01-31 13:31
If you’re thinking about moving to Portugal, and you’ve done any kind of research, you’ve probably come across the word ‘NIF’. It’s a word that comes up a… Read More
2022-01-28 10:35
Known as the “Venice of Portugal”, Aveiro is a small, but beautiful Portuguese city. It’s famous for its canals (hence the Venice nickname) and the ovos moles sweets that c… Read More
2022-01-21 18:48
Known for its university, Coimbra is a popular destination for tourists and, increasingly, people moving to Portugal. It is packed with history and character, particularly thanks to its univ… Read More
2022-01-21 18:42
If you’re visiting Coimbra, or lucky enough to live there, the big question you’ll be asking yourself is: what should I eat? You’ll find all the most common Portuguese dish… Read More
2022-01-07 18:17
Investing in a hotel or resort could offer an easier (and possibly cheaper) way of qualifying for the Portuguese golden visa. Portugal’s golden visa is famous for offering the ri… Read More
2022-01-06 19:41
Being gluten free is never easy, but the good news is that being gluten free in Portugal is very doable — and it’s probably much easier than being vegetarian or vegan. Howe… Read More
2021-11-23 17:16
2021-11-15 10:25
2021-11-01 20:30
You’re probably wondering what the best food in Portugal is, and what you absolutely must try when you visit. But the question is, how do you define “best.” For one person… Read More
2021-09-29 15:34
One of the biggest challenges of moving to Portugal is not getting a residency visa, learning the basics of the Portuguese language, or shipping your belongings. Not, it’s bringing you… Read More
2021-09-20 07:01
There are lots of great blogs and YouTube channels that have great information about moving to Portugal, but there’s something nice about just picking up a book and reading it through… Read More
2021-09-17 17:11
As you learn about Portuguese visas and residency requirements, you’ll hear terms like temporary residency, permanent residency, and Portuguese citizenship used a lot. Trying to unders… Read More
2021-09-15 16:21
The Portuguese golden visa is one of the most popular golden visa schemes in the world, offering residency in Portugal in return for making an investment in the Portuguese economy. Investmen… Read More
2021-09-07 13:25
With its warm weather, beautiful beaches, and public healthcare system, Portugal has long been a popular destination for retirees, particularly from Northern European countries like the UK… Read More
2021-09-05 12:21
When you’re moving to Portugal, getting good quality, accurate information is not only important – it’s essential. You can find a lot of the information you need on blogs… Read More
2021-09-03 13:10
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… Read More
2021-09-02 09:21
Over the past few years, Portugal has become a very popular place to move to. The selling points are obvious: great weather, beautiful beaches, and fantastic food. But another big selling po… Read More
2021-08-27 11:20
Every year, thousands of people move from the UK to Portugal, especially to the coastal Algarve region in the south. It’s easy to see why: Portugal has great weather, an interesting cu… Read More
2021-08-22 10:14
Applying for residency in Portugal as an EU citizen is relatively straightforward, especially when compared to applying as a non-EU citizen. Those from the EU/EEA/Switzerland have the right… Read More
2021-08-21 09:31
Portugal, and especially Lisbon, is a popular destination for digital nomads. It has great weather, good internet, it’s safe, and it’s affordable-ish: rent in Lisbon is very expe… Read More
2021-08-20 08:14
A major step in the property buying process is putting down a deposit and signing the promissory contract. You’ve already made an offer, but the promissory contract confirms you want t… Read More
2021-08-12 11:00
With its beautiful beaches, warm weather, and fantastic food, Portugal has long been a popular destination for British retirees. UK pensions have the power to go further in Portugal than in… Read More
2021-08-09 17:05
You may have come across Portuguese With Carla before. Carla runs a popular podcast, YouTube channel, and website where she teaches European Portuguese alongside her husband Marlon. Their la… Read More
2021-08-05 09:52
Although Portugal has a good public healthcare system, many people, both Portuguese and expats, choose to take out private health insurance as well. Health insurance isn’t expensive in… Read More
2021-08-02 09:57
One of the challenges of obtaining a visa like the D7 and D2 is the need to already have accommodation in Portugal before you move to Portugal. You can’t just arrive in Portugal and th… Read More
2021-08-01 12:39
Over the years, there have been lots of different ways to watch British television from Portugal whether through satellite dishes, VPNs, or just about any other method. Despite attempts from… Read More
2021-07-30 12:01
As well as setting up your water, electricity, and gas, you’ll probably also want to set up internet for your property. Broadband (banda larga) is available through Portugal, and fibre… Read More
2021-07-30 09:57
When you move into a new home, whether it’s somewhere you’ve rented or bought, you’ll most likely need to arrange utilities such as water, electricity, and, depending on wh… Read More
2021-07-27 10:44
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… Read More
2021-07-20 09:12
A common question that gets asked with regards to the D7 visa is: can I apply with just savings? The answer – and a very unhelpful one at that – seems to be maybe. In… Read More
2021-07-20 08:40
There are a few words that help explain Portuguese culture. One of them is saudade, a word that’s considered to be untranslatable but the closest interpretation is a feeling of longing… Read More
2021-07-18 12:20
While many companies and government departments will accept a utility bill or rental contract as proof of address, that’s not enough for some and they make ask for an Atestado De Resid… Read More
2021-07-17 14:03
Selling a property in Portugal can be hard, but perhaps the hardest part is the realisation that you may have to pay capital gains tax. This is especially likely if you come from a country w… Read More
2021-07-16 09:37
A lot of people think about moving to Spain or Portugal. Both have a similar climate, they have shared histories, and are located right next to each other, so it’s understandable why s… Read More
2021-07-15 12:01
Parents thinking about moving to Portugal will have lots of questions about Portugal’s education system. There are three main types of schools, especially at a secondary level: p… Read More
2021-07-14 09:58
One of the requirements of the D7 visa – and most other residency visas – is that you purchase travel insurance. This is to cover you for the period between arriving in Por… Read More
2021-07-12 16:45
Let’s say, for example, that you own a property in Portugal but you don’t live in Portugal or the EU, you live in the United States, and one day Finanças needs to contact… Read More
2021-07-01 15:25
The Portuguese covid vaccination program, which was initially running quite slowly, has sped up in recent months. If you’ve registered with the public healthcare system, have a n&uacut&hell…Read More
2021-07-01 12:01
While most people buying property in Portugal buy for themselves, either as a main residence or a holiday home, many buy with the intention of renting that property out, either to long-term… Read More
2021-06-15 11:12
Being resident in Portugal normally means being tax resident here as well, especially if you spend more than 183 days per year here. Residency and tax residency are both complicated issues… Read More
2021-06-11 10:28
You’ve found that perfect property in Portugal. It could be an apartment in Lisbon, a villa in the Algarve, a ruin on the Silver Coast, or a cottage on a remote island of the Azores. E… Read More
2021-05-18 17:37
The Brexit withdrawal period ended on December 31st 2020 and, as of January 1st 2021, the UK is no longer treated as an EU country. If you want to move to Portugal from the UK, and you do no… Read More
2021-05-08 10:45
Praia da Rocha is a seaside resort located around 2 km from Portimão City Centre. Technically Praia da Rocha is part of the City of Portimão, but the two areas are quite differ… Read More
2021-04-23 10:19
A large and ongoing part of learning another language is making mistakes. It’s just a fact of life. Every now and then, though, you make a funny mistake and, although it can be embarra… Read More
2021-03-19 11:38
Just like your NIF, your número de utente is one of many important numbers that you’ll need to have in Portugal. While the NIF applies to taxes, the número de utente is t… Read More
2021-03-15 16:53
Mia Esmeriz has been teaching European Portuguese online through her website and YouTube channel since 2017. A native Portuguese speaker, she shares some of the resources she recommends to h… Read More
2021-03-15 14:45
Portugal’s Golden Visa is probably its most famous visa, but it’s definitely not the only residency visa that the country offers. Two other popular visas include the D7 and the D… Read More
2021-03-06 07:59
The startup visa is aimed at tech entrepreneurs who want to launch a tech-based startup in Portugal or open a branch of an existing startup here. Over the past few years, Portugal has… Read More
2021-03-04 18:22
Yes! If you become a Portuguese citizen – something you can do after living in Portugal for just 5 years – you will not be asked to give up your other passport. Well, the Portugu… Read More
2021-03-02 10:19
Increasingly, more and more consulates are asking people moving to Portugal to have a Portuguese bank account before they move to Portugal in order to get their visa approved. If you’r… Read More
2021-02-28 10:23
NHR, Portugal’s non-habitual residency tax regime, is something that has gained a lot of international excitement and attention. But, as anyone who has tried delving into the scheme wi… Read More
2021-02-24 19:49
There are lots of reasons to live in Portugal – the weather, food, and the culture, for example – but another good reason is the residency visas. For an ever-increasing number of… Read More
2021-02-22 19:33
Over the past few years, more and more Americans have been moving to Portugal. You may not have considered moving to Portugal before. In fact, you may not have even heard of Portugal… Read More
2021-02-18 07:34
If you’re planning on moving to Portugal, you’ll come across the word NIF a lot. NIF is short for Número de Identificação Fiscal and it’s often called… Read More
2021-02-17 11:20
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… Read More
2021-02-06 10:32
Launched in 2012, the Golden Visa is one of Portugal’s most well-known and popular visas. It essentially offers residency, or the right to live in Portugal, to non-EU citizens in retur… Read More
2021-02-04 17:39
If you’re planning on living in Portugal, and you need to pay bills (such as those for utilities or a mobile phone contract) you will need a Portuguese bank account. Because Portugal w… Read More
2021-02-02 10:07
If you’re legally resident in Portugal, namely you’ve come here on another visa or have settled citizen status as an EU citizen, you can apply to bring your spouse, partner, or f… Read More
2021-01-28 10:33
Some people have a claim to a Portuguese passport: if you have a Portuguese parent or grandparent, for example. Others, however, can obtain a Portuguese passport through living here fo… Read More
2021-01-28 10:08
Good news for shoppers in Portugal: Amazon Spain is now available in Portuguese as well as Spanish. To switch from Spanish to Portuguese: Head to Amazon.es Click on the Spanish flag next to… Read More
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