Are you ready ? Your new life in Portugal is coming. What are the rules to make a success your move to Portugal ? In this article, written like “10 commandments” (please note that I don’t impose anything but I find this format funny), I share with you some “tips” to make your move to Portugal a successful experience.

Commandment number 1 : Local people you will frequent

In recent years, Portugal has become a « fashionable destination » for expats and I noticed that many people want to go to the same places : in the same cities but also in the same neighborhoods and we see more and more French and English neighborhoods appearing… 

Ok, it’s reassuring to find yourself with people who are living the same experience as you.  But is it really the objective when you go to live in a foreign country ? The aim of a new life in a new country it is to discover new people with a different culture, with different habits, with a different language ? Why do you come to Portugal ? To eat « fish and chips » and drink beers in English pub ? To live in a area with English-speaking neighbors ? Portugal has its own riches, so you might as well take advantage of them !

I’m a bit provocative but I think you really have to ask yourself the right questions. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t hang out with English speakers in Portugal, but you should also to know the locals people and create a Portuguese social network.

Portuguese neighbors

Commandment number 2 : Portuguese you will learn

Many people move to Portugal and don’t take the time to learn Portuguese.

You speak English and the majority of Portuguese people speak a very good English in shops, government offices, restaurants, etc. So, to be honest it will be easy for you to live even if you don’t speak portuguese. 

But, I think that to speak (a little bit) Portuguese is really important. It will help you in your daily life of course but also because it is, for me, a way of “respecting” the country that welcomes you and be integrated quickly in the Portuguese community. 

So, before to move in Portugal, I advise you to work your Portuguese on internet or with exercise books. And, once arrived in Portugal, take classes and don’t be ashamed to speak in Portuguese even if you only know a few words.

Commandment number 3 : Ocean and beaches you will enjoy

Whether you choose to live inland or by the sea, when you live in Portugal you have to enjoy the ocean and beaches! With more than 800 km coastline, how can you miss it ?   

• Feel the sea spray on your skin,
• See the sunshine on the water,
• Feel the sand under your feet,
• Smell the grills of the beach restaurants,
• Hear the waves crashing,  
• … Enjoy !

Sun and ocean 

Commandment number 4 : Be careful with the food you will do

Portuguese food is very good, but bad for your scale 🙂 Portugal offers a generous gastronomy with a lot of oil, fried food, breads, desserts with cream and eggs… And when you arrive in a new country, you want to try everything. 

Learning about the culture of a new country include its gastronomy, so you will probably try all the Portuguese food including :

• the creamy « pasteis de nata », with their egg cream, sugar and deliciously flaky butter pastry… Yum!
• the « rissois » with shrimp or meat and the « pasteis de bacalhau », fried, oily but so good,
• the more famous dishes like « bacalhau á brás », « frango churrasco », « Feijoada »
• portuguese cheeses and meats from Portugal, I am thinking of « chouriço assado », « alheira » but also « queijo de Azeitão » or “queijo da serra »…
• portuguese breads: Carcaças, Pão da Avó, Broa (my favourite), …

Polvo à lagareiro : a famous portuguese dish

Commandment number 5 : All the Portuguese lands you will discover

Portugal is a “small” country. So, if you come to live in Portugal, when you have free time, you can easily travel and explore this beautiful country. 

There are beautiful cities to visit, lovely little villages to discover, and landscapes that are so different from one region to another. Here a non-exhaustive list, and subjective list that some places to visit in Portugal : 

• North : Guimarães, Porto, Braga, Douro, Gerês…
• Center : Coimbra,Aveiro, Serra da Estrela …
• Alentejo : Evora …
• Lisboa Area : Lisboa, Sintra, Serra da Arrábida …
• Algarve : Tavira, Lagos …
• Islands : Madeira and Açores …

Thanks to these escapades, you will be enriched by Portugal’s history, discover its heritage, learn about cultural habits, … Portugal is a country with a big culture and many traditions, and it is important to be open to them and to learn as much as possible.

Porto street

Commandment number 6 : Sunshine you will discover and temperatures below 10 degrees you will forget.

Don’t tell me you come to Portugal just for the culture of the country ! I know that one of the main reasons you come to Portugal is ……. the sun ! 

Portugal offers a very good weather. With sunshine almost all year and temperatures that very rarely go below 10 degrees (except in the mountains), it’s a country with very pleasant weather. And to be honest with you, when people say that the weather plays on the mind, it’s true !  

So, keep in mind that when you will move here in Portugal, don’t need to bring your big jackets, gloves, stuffed boots and scarf 🙂

24 December with sun 

Commandment number 7 : Your salary you will regret

Portugal has many positive points but, like all countries, there are also some negative aspects. 

The quality of life in Portugal is very good, and the cost of living is quite low, but you should also know that the Portuguese salary is low. The Portuguese minimum salary is 665€/month and this amount is also the amount to rent a studio in a big city (Lisbon, Porto). So, if you choose to live in a big city alone, it is important to do a cost-of-living/salary ratio.

Commandment number 8 : Eat in restaurant for less than 10€ you will

I was speaking about the low cost of living in Portugal. The restaurants are a good example. In Portugal, if you know the good addresses, and you will know them after a few months, you will eat in restaurants easily for less than 10€ and it will be homemade, fresh and delicious food. 

Just a small advice, don’t choose a restaurant about its style. The best restaurants in Portugal are often very very small restaurants with paper on the table, handwritten menus and where you are served in large stainless steel dishes.

Portuguese menu 

Commandment number 9 : Your list of good addresses and good deals you will create

You are going to discover a new country, so you’ll develop new habits. In order to develop these new habits, you will try many shops, restaurants, visit many neighborhoods… You will be disappointed by some discoveries, surprised by others. 

And then, after a few weeks, you will have your new landmarks : your favourite « pastelaria », your favourite supermarket, your favourite restaurant, your favourite beach …

You will create your own list and be very proud to share that with your family and friends who will come to visit you in Portugal.

Commandment number 10 : Your installation in Portugal you will prepare

It makes sense but I don’t think it makes sense for everyone. Going to live abroad is something you have to think about and prepare. I know many people who move in Portugal and after 1 year, finally back in their country. It is important to prepare yourself and ask yourself the right questions about your willingness to move to another country. 

Why you are moving ? Is it to discover a new country and travel ? Is it for a professional project ? Are you ready to be away from your family and friends ? Do you have the financial means ? At the administrative level, whether in your current country or in your future country, is everything ready ? …

You have to sure to be ready : find accommodation, a job, be sure that all your administrative papers are ok in your country and in Portugal…

Conclusion

Open-minded, curious, sociable, persevering, flexibility … are some of the qualities that you will need to have in order to make a success your move to Portugal.

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