Today I am writing a shorter but more practical article where I would like to share with you 10 tips that simplify your life in Portugal.

1. A multibanco payment card

If you are not familiar with Multibanco, put it simply it is the most commonly used payment method in Portugal. It is a debit card that is practically used and accepted anywhere. Whereas your Visa or MasterCard can be refused in some shops or restaurants, with your Multibanco, you won’t have any issue! You will often hear the cashiers ask you “Visa ou Multibanco?”.

The Multibanco service is a central payment system central which also allows you to perform various banking operations such as checking your accounts, paying online services, paying your taxes, making transfers, and even buying train tickets. All this on your mobile device or at any ATM. So useful and easy to use!

2. A car

It is essential to have a car in Portugal in order to be able to travel around the country and discover its many visiting spots, hidden secrets and historical places. If you are only visiting for holidays, renting a car in Portugal is affordable. Make sure to book online in advance to get the best prices. Personally I use the following price comparator: https://www.holidaycars.com

3. Public transports

If you don’t have your own car or don’t want to drive, no problem: you can use public transports. Yes, Uber is available in Portugal, really useful for small trips in and out of the city for example when you want to enjoy a few drinks for the night and go home with peace of mind 🙂 This is their website from where you can download the Uber app in case you are not familiar with this service.

It is also good to know that in the Lisbon region, you can cross the Tagus with a Ferry that goes back and fourth all day long for only a couple of euro. The Lisbon underground is also very effective.

Finally, there is a wide variety of buses available because many locals use public transports to go every where: to work, to go shopping, to the beach, or to the market :)​

4. Via verde

This is a small device located at the top of your car windshield which allows to save precious time by passing Portuguese tolls without stopping therefore considerably reducing your time wasted in traffic.

The Via verde solution got better and better over time and now also includes automatic parking payment, gas stations, ferrys, and even MacDonald’s drive in! A real time saver of extreme simplicity.

You can click here to get your Via Verde pass

5. A Portuguese mobile number

You may tell me “I have my own mobile with international calls, I don’t need a Portuguese number!”. Yes indeed…but in Portugal the use of a Portuguese mobile can prove to be very helpful in certain cases. For example for opening you internet line, for purchasing online, for deliveries, for online banking or Via Verde payments…all those will require a Portuguese number.

So unless you have a good friend in Portugal who is happy to let you use his own Portuguese number, you may want to consider getting your own mobile number. Mobile network providers offer deals that are affordable, with pay as you go schemes for example.

6. Local markets

In most city centres, you will find a local market with vegetables, fruits, cheese and fresh fish and meat. It is really nice to go to the market each week, smell the flavours, discuss with the merchants, and enjoy a taste of the Portuguese life. It also supports the work of local agriculture, local producers and local fishermen. I enjoy getting the chance to contribute to the Portuguese economy and it is always a great moment of sharing and friendly encounters!

7. OLX

So what is this OLX ? Well, it is the online buy/sell platform used by Portuguese people. It is the best place to make good deals, ideal to furnish your house or equip yourself with tools and electronic equipment at unbeatable prices.

The good thing is that in most cases, the seller is the one in charge of the delivery of the product sold.

A similar online buy/sell platform is called “Custo Justo“, it is also very popular and widely used. It contains property deals for the people who are willing to deal with the locals 🙂

8. Shopping malls

If you prefer to do your shopping in actual shopping malls, you will have plenty of choices in Portugal. It is open 7 days a week until late (23h). What a pleasure to be able to go shopping whenever we want!

Our lives are so busy, we always have to plan every thing, so I really appreciate to be able to decide to go shopping at any time without having to plan for it!

9. Speaking Portuguese

In my opinion, it seems obvious that when you live abroad, it is preferable to to know at least some notions of the local language, and even better to speak it fluently. First of all as a sign of respect and integration for the country that welcomes us, but more directly to make our lives easier. It is such a gift to be able to speak more than one language, and Portuguese people will really appreciate your efforts to communicate with them in their own language. This is where nice encounters happen 🙂

There are many places where you can learn Portuguese, and lots of personal teachers. Of course for the most courageous ones you can decide to learn on the go 😉 Personally I started to learn Portuguese online before arriving there, this way I could already have some notions and find my way around things. I used a free app on my mobile called Duolingo. And you, what do you do to learn Portuguese?

10. Expats communities

At the golf tournament of the UFE in Aroeira, April 2016

If you ever feel sick because you miss your motherland, it is really easy to join expats communities in Portugal. There you will find people with a similar mindset and experiencing similar situations as you. With the social media (mainly Facebook groups), you will easily find communities that relate to your origins, hobbies and interests. You can connect, you can meet new people and join lots of cool events…

My husband and I already participated several times to the events of the UFE community of Lisbon (Union of French Expats), especially for their famous golf tournament in Aroeira (even though we don’t play well enough yet, we join for the delicious barbecue that happens at lunch time. They also organise lots of great events such as museum visits, galas, hikes etc…

I plan to discover many new communities and join many new events in the future…I will tell you more as time goes by, so feel free to join my Facebook group for Portuguese lovers 🙂

So…isn’t life in Portugal nice, comfortable and easy? Click on “Like” if you agree 🙂

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