Portugal > Living

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 of perceived positives and negatives, this can be a natural part of acclimatisation.    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.    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 important. However, the answer isn’t that simple, as the time it takes will depend on the time you have and the environment yo ...    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 to start learning your way around your new home, and can be a powerful social tool, helping you meet like-minded people and start building friends ...    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 with it its own set of inspiring and unexpected adventures. If you’ve got your list of possible destinations, it’ ...    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.    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.    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 for the long journey home. Portugal today has nearly 365 different methods of preparing bacalhau, apparen ...    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 used to roam the world for spices and silk, it seems that Portugal now faces significant return traffic.    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 exciting! I always had hopes of living in another country and when this opportunity arose my husband and I decided to relocate abroad.    more ...