Portugal’s banking system has one of the most advanced interbank networks in the world, called Multibanco. There are over 150 banks in Portugal, from private national retail banks to public and cooperative banks, international banks, and modern mobile banks. The majority of banks in Portugal belong to the Portuguese Banking Association. The central bank in … Read more

Portugal is a small southern European country on the Iberian Peninsula. It receives over one million visitors a year, with the beaches of the Portuguese Riviera and Algarve being particularly popular tourist destinations. The pastel hued buildings of Lisbon continue to attract crowds, and expats in particular choose to reside there.Portugal has seen a steady … Read more

Portugal, a popular destination among both expats and tourists, can offer a number of opportunities to those seeking employment, despite its recent economic downturn. Whether or not you will need a visa to go there will depend on a number of factors, such as your nationality and the motivation behind your trip. Read on to … Read more

Portugal remains a popular destination for both living and working among expats, and despite the country’s recent economic downturn, there are still opportunities here if you are seeking employment. Tourism and hospitality remain a major sector, but there is also work in call centres and in manufacturing. Your chances of finding employment will depend somewhat … Read more

What’s not to love about Portugal? Whether you’re looking to emigrate to chase the sun, enjoy the beautiful beaches or just simply soak up a rich new culture, Portugal has it all.But where are the best places to live in the country? From the areas with the lowest crime rates, highest number of blue flag … Read more

If you are legally resident in Portugal, then the vast majority of your healthcare needs will be covered by the country’s public health service, although you might need to pay a nominal amount to make an appointment with a doctor or pick up a prescription.Beyond general healthcare, however, a lot of people around the world … Read more

The Portuguese health system has a two-tiered approach, with most residents being covered by the national health service. You will be eligible for public healthcare if you are legally resident in Portugal, although you might have to pay a token amount for prescriptions and appointments, unless you are exempt.Appointments with dentists and opticians will not … Read more

Moving abroad is a stressful time, even if you have chosen to move to a new location for a better overall quality of life. It is important to try to keep up good habits after you arrive, and to work out a health and fitness regime to keep you in top shape while you are … Read more

Like many other EU countries, Portugal has a two-tier healthcare system. The state funds healthcare for the majority of residents, both expats and locals, with some small charges for basic appointments and prescriptions. There are also provisions in place for people who are unable to pay for their own care.Private health insurance is also available … Read more

Portugal enjoys a good level of healthcare, both in the state-run public health system and in its private hospitals and clinics.Many expats opt to simply go with the public health system, which only charges a nominal amount for basic appointments and prescriptions as long as you fit the eligibility criteria. Others choose to take out … Read more

The healthcare system in Portugal takes a three-tiered approach. If you are a member of a relevant profession, for example if you are a civil servant or working in the armed forces, then your healthcare will be covered by the state through your professional body. If you are living in Portugal but are not in … Read more

If you are legally resident in Portugal, you will be covered by the national health system. This means that most of your healthcare will be free at the point of service, but there are still some small fees for certain appointments and procedures.You can also opt to take out private healthcare in Portugal if you … Read more

The Portuguese health system works on a three-tiered basis. Most people living in Portugal, regardless of whether they are in full-time employment, will be covered by the state health system, which is generally free at the point of service with a few small exceptions. If you work in a profession which is covered by its … Read more

Fueled by foreign demand and the possibility of obtaining residency in exchange for investing money, the Portuguese property market is on the up. Since analysts are predicting this upward trend to continue, prices keep rising. Portugal’s property market was pretty resilient during the global financial crisis compared to some of the neighbouring countries.As well as … Read more

Ah, bureaucracy. It’s not a favourite word for anyone, and that includes expats. The last thing we enjoy doing when moving to a new country is tackling all the paperwork and applications that are necessary to ensure we’re fully covered in every aspect of our new lives. In this guide, we’ll be looking at Segurança … Read more

No matter where you live in the world, you may find yourself comparing your home country to your new destination each time you travel. After all, it can be fun to compare the differences between places as a way to see what’s unique; and whilst you can’t ultimately judge a destination by an initial list … Read more

In a bid to help Portuguese migrants who are looking to return and invest in their home country, the minister of Foreign affairs, Augusto Santos Silva, announced in a recent cabinet meeting that emigrants will be granted an approved credit line on their return home.The credit line, often referred to as part of the country’s … Read more

Every year, thousands of people purchase property in Portugal. After all, with friendly local people, warm summers and incredible landscapes, what’s not to love?However, with the weather in Portugal fluctuating hugely every season, properties can often take a hit. Temperatures which exceed 30 degrees Centigrade in the summer switch to torrential storms in the winter, … Read more

Louise, tell us a bit about yourself and your interest in expat life. I’ve lived outside of my country of origin, which is Australia, for more than three decades. I moved to Portugal from Colorado and there, I didn’t think of myself as an expatriate.All my friends were American – bar a couple of Australians … Read more

In 2016, the world’s leading cause of death was ischemic heart disease, an illness which affected people across all locations and income brackets. However, in Portugal, a country that’s bathed with sunlight for most of the year and boasts 850 kilometres of Atlantic Ocean beaches, these figures were relatively low.Whether this statistic is linked to … Read more

Jacqueline, you're the Director of Eden Montessori school in Albufeira. Tell us about your role: what does a typical day in your life look like? My day starts with welcoming children and parents at 8:45am. to start their school day. We head straight to the classroom for our morning Montessori three-hour ‘work’ period. During this … Read more

Medical tourism brings thousands of visitors to new countries every year, with cosmetic surgery and dentistry often being the most popular reasons to travel for your health. However, whilst many actively seek out healthcare in advance, what do you do when you’re already living in another country and are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness?Cancer is … Read more

This is a question that every new learner of the language tends to ask themselves before they begin. After all, timelines are important. They help us to set targets, stay on track and ensure we meet our goals by a specific date. Which, if you’re learning a new language because you’re relocating, can be incredibly … Read more

Obtaining an ‘Atestado De Residência’ in Portugal is the process of gathering proof that you reside in the country. This is a process that can strike fear into the calmest of people, since gaining proof of residency in any country can be confusing and challenging, especially when there isn’t much information available online; however, it … Read more

Chances are, if you’re anything like me, living in Portugal will mean you’ll have a lot of pastel de nata that you’ll be needing to burn off! Even if that’s not the case, exercise is great for your health, energy and overall wellbeing. It also gets you out and about – it’s a brilliant way … Read more

Take away the expansive ocean views, the coastal cliff edges and the bustling cities that Portugal is renowned for, and the country is left with… well, still quite a lot, really! And it’s not just the pastéis de nata or port that we’re talking about.Portugal is a country that attracts expats and tourists alike. The … Read more

Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, boasts a mix of traditional architecture and contemporary culture. The subtropical climate (the average temperature in winter is 14C), relatively cheap cost of living, vibrant nightlife and easy access to the stunning beaches of the Algarve all make Lisbon a very attractive place to settle. Few places in Europe … Read more

Boasting a pleasant climate, friendly locals and low rural property prices, Portugal is an attractive proposition for those dreaming of a renovation project. However, this isn’t a task for the faint-hearted. Here are our tips for carrying out your restoration as smoothly as possible! Define Your Reasons For The Project Despite a third of Portuguese … Read more

Long, hot summers with ample sunshine and endless silver beaches have made Portugal a highly sought-after destination for expats from all over the globe. This south European country boasts excellent living standards, modern infrastructure, warm people, a relaxed paced of life and great healthcare. Property prices are fairly reasonable, as is the overall cost of … Read more

The world is brimming with possibilities; you can make a home anywhere you desire. From finding comfort in an unknown land to exposing yourself to a cultural shock and learning to empathize with the differences that unite us, expat life can be both exciting and challenging. Travelling to and settling down in another country brings … Read more

Welcome to this month’s round-up of discussion topics in our Expats In Portugal Facebook group.Adjustments and comparisons Eight days into her stay, one member has already noticed several differences between Portugal and her home country! Notable items include the sunshine and heat; the variety and affordability of excellent food; and how everything gets done on … Read more

Zara, tell us a bit about yourself. What does a typical day in your life look like? I’m a Portuguese world traveler and I make a living as a travel and food writer.I was an expat in Dubai for almost five years, until late 2011. Since then and until a few months ago, I was … Read more

With expansive stretches of white beaches and towering mountains, Portugal, located on the west of the Iberian Peninsula, is a haven for expats who love plenty of sunshine. Surrounded by Spain and the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal has a population of nearly 10 million, and is especially known for its long hot summers.Apart from the abundant … Read more

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Portugal and some of the social media accounts you should be following if you’re thinking of moving there.Visit PortugalFacebook Page | Twitter | Instagram … Read more

The hilly coastal city of Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and also the hub of the country’s economy. It is located south of the center of the Atlantic coast, one of the only major European cities to be located this far west. It is also the most densely populated region in Portugal, and popular … Read more

Portuguese cuisine varies by region, although foods such as fresh fish and shellfish are found across the country. The country’s national dish is ‘bacalhau’, which is dried and salted cod. The dish dates back to the early 16th century. When fishing boats reached Newfoundland, the sailors sundried their catch and salted it to preserve it … Read more

Europe’s southern-most and oldest nation state, Portugal, lies on a part of the western littoral of the Iberian Peninsula. It shares its borders with Spain to the east and north as well as the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west. Characterized by its golden beaches, captivating cities, medieval castles and cobblestone villages, Portugal has … Read more

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Portugal and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there.Um Lisboeta Ingles – An Englishman In Lisbonhttps://umlisboetaingles.wordpress.com/ A travelling teacher with … Read more

Clinging onto Spain on the Iberian Peninsula, facing the vast expanse of the Atlantic, Portugal is often forgotten about, a small country with a smaller economy. This wasn’t always the case. Portugal had a mighty empire that stretched across oceans and gave the kingdom a foothold in Asia, Africa and South America. Where Portuguese traders … Read more

Allana, tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be an expat. My name is Dr. Allana Da Graca and I relocated to Portugal in 2014 to experience the lifestyle and culture of this beautiful community. I also have in-laws who reside in Europe so the thought of living in Portugal was … Read more

Elisabete, you're Director at Portugal Au Pair. Tell us a bit about your role: what does your day-to-day routine look like? My everyday life has been really amazing and the au pair world has been so interesting. My job is to promote the au pair cultural exchange program among young people in Portugal and throughout … Read more

Gabrielle, please tell us a bit about yourself. A Londoner by birth, I later moved out to Surrey where I attended Nonsuch High School for Girls in Cheam. Being a rather free-spirited person and finding the constraints and curriculum of an all girls’ grammar school a bit too much, I left at 16 (to the … Read more

Portugal is a popular destination with tourists & expats from all over the world. In fact, many senior citizens from the UK and other European nations choose to spend their retirement in Portugal due to its low cost of living. This has caused a boom in the residential and commercial property sector, consequently triggering off … Read more

Gabrielle, please tell us a bit about yourself. A Londoner by birth, I later moved out to Surrey where I attended Nonsuch High School for Girls in Cheam. Being a rather free-spirited person and finding the constraints and curriculum of an all girls’ grammar school a bit too much, I left at 16 (to the … Read more

Portugal has a booming tourism industry and learning English has become an important skill for many of the locals. This means that there is a growing demand for English teachers. Those who are considering English teaching jobs in Portugal will be happy to know that it is one of the best countries to live and … Read more

Foreigners and nationals can start a business in Portugal as long as they have the required work permits and minimum capital investment. But many expats do feel that the bureaucratic process can be confusing and having a trusted local to help you navigate the system is an advantage. Here are five things you should know … Read more

Portugal has many popular locations – the capital city Lisbon, the sea and sun-soaked region of Algarve and Porto, the home of the famous port wine. But there’s also a side of Portugal that still remains relatively untouched by the bustling tourism industry. These places are remote, but that’s exactly what makes them so special. … Read more

Tourists and expats alike quickly fall in love with the pleasant buzz and the warm natives of Portugal. The warm climate, economical property prices and modest cost of living make it an attractive destination. A big advantage is that Portugal has a diverse and thriving expat community, which makes it easy for foreigners to adjust. … Read more

Please tell us a bit about yourself and your company.P.P.Property is owned by two British expatriates; Sarah Keogh and Paul Stubbs, they are registered estate agents in Portugal (Imobiliaria). The company is now 5 years old and is growing strongly. The company has property for sale throughout Portugal, however their primary focus is between Lisbon … Read more

Navigating the world of banking can be difficult at the best of times, but when you’re moving to a whole different country it can be almost impossible to work out what to do with your money. Keep the bank you’re currently with and hope they have enough branches to make it worthwhile? Move to a … Read more

The Algarve’s name originates from the Arabic Al-Gharb, meaning “The West”, though travelers from the Western world will recognize it as the southernmost portion of Portugal. When placed on the world stage, the region has plenty to be proud of. For one, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations within Europe: this is … Read more

Gabrielle, can you tell us something about your background and what prompted you to write "Buying Property in Portugal"? I was born in London and attended Nonsuch High School for Girls in Cheam. Being a rather free-spirited person, and finding the constraints and curriculum of an all girls grammar school a bit too much, I … Read more