10 tips to simplify your life in Portugal
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 🙂
Receive each month the latest articles from Ginny together with our latest selection of property deals
Subscribe to our mailing list
* indicates requiredEmail Address *First Name Last Name Phone Number Current location Centre of interest
- Buying a property in Portugal
- Renting a property in Portugal
- Nothing special at the moment
When will your next visit to Portugal be? How could we help you best? Contact me please:
- As soon as possible
- Later
[tcb-script type=”text/javascript” src=”//s3.amazonaws.com/downloads.mailchimp.com/js/mc-validate.js”][/tcb-script][tcb-script type=”text/javascript”](function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]=’EMAIL’;ftypes[0]=’email’;fnames[1]=’FNAME’;ftypes[1]=’text’;fnames[2]=’LNAME’;ftypes[2]=’text’;fnames[3]=’MMERGE3′;ftypes[3]=’phone’;fnames[8]=’MMERGE8′;ftypes[8]=’text’;fnames[4]=’MMERGE4′;ftypes[4]=’radio’;fnames[5]=’MMERGE5′;ftypes[5]=’text’;fnames[6]=’MMERGE6′;ftypes[6]=’text’;fnames[9]=’MMERGE9′;ftypes[9]=’radio’;fnames[7]=’SOURCE’;ftypes[7]=’text’;}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true);[/tcb-script]
Confidentiality: please ensure you have read and understood our Terms of Use & our Privacy Policy
Articles Populaires
dernières annonces
Single-storey house with swimming pool
Just a few meters from the magnificent bay of São Martinho do Porto, lies this…
Condominium apartments facing the sea
São Martinho do PortoBeautiful apartments in São Martinho do Porto “Janela da Baía”! Located in the heart of…
Villa already finished and ready to move in: 4-suite bungalow on 750m2 plot in a quiet area of Azeitão
Rua de ParisHouse already finished and ready to move into! Close to shops and services, quick access…
Magnificent house with basement, indoor and outdoor pool in Verdizela/Aroeira
Verdizela/AroeiraNew turnkey project: magnificent single-storey villa, 498m2 in surface area, high-end finishes on a 1875m2…
Goodwill 200m from the beach and 10km from Lisbon!
If you’re looking for a pastry shop / restaurant, fully equipped and close to the…
This T3 apartment in the private Jardim dos Navegantes condominium offers security and privacy.
parque lusoThe condominium offers a large swimming pool, a gym and a magnificent garden with pond…
Luxury apartment on the edge of a nature reserve
Your modern, spacious apartment between the beach and Lisbon’s capital. – Beach 5min – Golf…
If you’re looking for a fully equipped café/tea room close to the beach, you’ve come to the right place!
Business in full operation, includes the establishment’s customer portfolio and takeaway service, with a total…
House T3 1 10 min from Lisbon and 5 min from the beaches
PêraREADY TO MOVE IN! New T3 1 ready-to-live-in house in a quiet, rural neighborhood with…
Inscrivez-vous à notre newsletter
Recevez chaque mois les derniers articles de notre blog "la vie au Portugal" et notre sélection de biens immobiliers à vendre.