Expat Guide to Portugal

Citizens from Schengen states won’t require visas for stays of up to 90 days, nor will those from countries on a visa waiver list. EU citizens can also work without a work permit for up to six months. Those who do require a visa should apply at the Portuguese embassy of their home country.

Expats can apply for two types of long term visas, although neither allows employment without a work permit. The first is a temporary stay visa, allowing multiple entries up to a period of 12 months. Alternatively, a temporary residence permit is given to those non-EU citizens for a period of one year, then renewable for periods of two years. After five years, expats may apply for permanent residence.

EU citizens planning on stays longer than three months must acquire a registration certificate. After holding this certificate while living in Portugal for five years, they may request a permanent residence certificate.[1]

Non-EU expats wishing to work in Portugal require a work permit. Employers will apply to the Portuguese Labor Authorities, after which the expat must complete the process.

[1] https://www.expatarrivals.com/europe/portugal/visas-portugal 

Finding accommodation in Portugal is a fairly painless process, with property guides listing apartments, condominiums, villas and farmhouses. The easiest and quickest way to find available rentals would be through online portals, although enlisting a real estate agent with a knowledge of the language and local areas could be extremely helpful.

Lease contracts usually last for a year, with a deposit amounting to one month’s rent a typical requirement. Thanks to its popularity as a vacation capital, short-term letting is common in Portugal. These can perfectly suit those expats who are on a six-month or shorter stay. Smaller options tend to be furnished, with the larger choices coming unfurnished. There’s no set practice when it comes to charging for utilities, and this will be dependent on the lease agreement with the landlord.

Thanks to the affordability and absence of restrictions, purchasing property in Portugal is popular amongst expats. Indeed, hardly any paperwork is required, and it’s possible to acquire a Portugal Golden Visa, valid for five years, if buying property equal to or exceeding the value of EUR 500,000. Most expats looking to settle find homes either in Lisbon or the Algarve.[2]

[2] https://transferwise.com/gb/blog/buy-property-in-portugal 

Education is compulsory for students up until the age of 18, and consists of three cycles in the basic education phase. The last two to three years are spent completing either secondary education or vocational training, with numerous colleges and institutions offering training in technical, practical and artistic skills.[3]

Basic education in the state system is free to both citizens and expats in mainland Portugal. But throughout all levels, it’s generally considered to have poor infrastructure and has Portuguese as the language of instruction. As a result, most expats tend to send their children to one of Portugal’s international schools, with many found in the regions around Porto and Lisbon. Fees can be extremely high but, on the plus side, curricula are based on the school’s country of origin and pupils won’t skip a beat when it comes to keeping up with their studies.

[3] https://www.classbase.com/Countries/Portugal/Education-System 

Portugal has a temperate climate, with mild winters and warm summers. This pleasant environment varies slightly from north to south, with the former enjoying cooler temperatures and the latter being far sunnier and warmer.

Summer sees sunshine across the entire country, with only the north witnessing occasional cold fronts. There is plenty of rainfall throughout the rest of the year, especially November through March, making it a far greener and lush part of Portugal in comparison to the drier regions of the Algarve in the south.[4]

[4] http://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/portugal 

The official language is Portuguese, with English being the second most widely spoken language, especially in tourist-heavy regions such as Lisbon, Porto and a large portion of Algarve.[6]

[6] http://www.golisbon.com/practical-lisbon/language.html 

It’s always difficult getting used to a new country, but this section should help expats get to grips with the new social rules and dynamics in Portugal.[7]

Like many countries around the Mediterranean and Iberian Peninsula, family plays an integral role in Portuguese society. In this sense, the patriarchal and hierarchical makeup has a huge influence on daily life and nepotism in companies and business shouldn’t be surprising.

This top-down authority structure can also be observed in the power and influence of the Catholic Church, with rank in all forms being highly respected and valued.

A handshake and direct eye contact is the usual form of address between strangers. In terms of friends, men may embrace one another while women typically kiss each cheek, beginning with the right.

The Portuguese highly value appearance, believing it to be a very clear indicator of status and success. Wearing high quality outfits and material, especially in the city and urban areas, can be vital in making a good first impression.

If invited to dinner, make sure to dress formally and conservatively. Appropriate gifts to bring are wine, flowers or chocolates. Never bring chrysanthemums as these are a symbol for death, often used at funerals.[8]

[7] https://www.commisceo-global.com/country-guides/portugal-guide 
[8] http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_pt.htm 

Perched on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal naturally enjoys a diet dominated by fish and other seafood. Containing a massive Mediterranean influence and flavors from former colonial territories further east, its cuisine incorporates an array of spices and herbs with peri-peri, garlic and black pepper extremely prevalent. Sole, sardines, salmon and trout are regularly spotted in fishmongers’ windows and butchers provide ample supply of beef, pork and goat. Indeed, being a vegetarian here is tough, with traditional palates revolving around meat. [9]

Meals commonly found on local tables include salted cod, grilled chicken, a pork and clam dish called carne de porco à alentejana, and tiras de choco frito, a serving of sliced breaded cuttlefish. Specialties by region include Pastéis de Belém from Lisbon, a type of egg tart; Pão de Mafra, a bread from Mafra which also boasts the fradinho cake; and Sintra’s traveisseiros, a sweet puff pastry of almond cream.

[9] https://wikitravel.org/en/Portugal#Eat 

Portugal is the home of port, the eponymous fortified wine which is drunk both as an aperitif and a dessert. Interestingly, the product can only be named as a port wine if the grapes have been harvested in the Duoro Valley and fermented in Porto.

Green wine is also unique, originating from the northern province of Minho. Vinho Verde, as it’s known in Portuguese, is light, refreshing and affordable, and best served with fish dishes.

Drinking is common. Starting early in the evening or afternoon, consumption is slow and gradual as they prefer to savor their drinks. Excess is rare. Instead, beverages are enjoyed between food, cups of espresso and a salty sparkling water called agua de pedros.

Public holidays are primarily taken from key religious dates in the Catholic calendar. There may also be local or regional holidays where leave will be considered at the discretion of the employer. Days celebrating saints aren’t always considered public holidays and employees are once again at the mercy of their contract or employer.[10]

New Year’s Day – 1 January
Good Friday – March or April
Easter Sunday – March or April
Freedom Day – 25 April
Labor Day – 1 May
Portugal Day – 10 June
Assumption of the Virgin Mary – 15 August
Feast of the Immaculate Conception – 8 December
Christmas Day – 25 December

[10] https://publicholidays.pt/ 

When it comes to installing landlines, the biggest company is Altice Portugal, other options include World Telecom, ARTelecom, and NOS.
For mobile services, Portugal's main providers include MEO, Vodafone, and NOS, with MEO offering the widest coverage. Expats have a few mobile phone options, including purchasing a local SIM for an existing phone on a prepaid plan or signing a long-term contract.[11]

[11] https://www.expat.com/en/guide/europe/portugal/10797-phones-and-internet-in-portugal.html 

It’s easy to set up a high-speed internet connection in the big cities like Lisbon and Porto, with fiber optic steadily making its way to homes throughout the country. In Portugal, there are often package deals that also add television and telephone services. Major internet service providers include Net Sapo, Vodafone, Zon, Telepac, and ARTelecom.
For mobile services, Portugal's main providers include MEO, Vodafone, and NOS, with MEO offering the widest coverage. Expats have a few mobile phone options, including purchasing a local SIM for an existing phone on a prepaid plan or signing a long-term contract.[12]

[12] https://www.expat.com/en/guide/europe/portugal/10797-phones-and-internet-in-portugal.html 

Correios de Portugal functions as the official postal service of Portugal, having been in operation since 1520. Delivery types include ordinary mail, economy mail and airmail. During the week, opening hours are from 8.30am to 6pm while on Saturdays, it closes at 12pm. Private courier services include DHL and FedEx.[13]

[13] https://www.expatica.com/pt/living/household/ctt-portugal-871640/ 

The job market in Portugal varies depending on language skills. While Portuguese speakers have greater employment options in specialist fields, there are still several in-demand professions that require English speakers, particularly in the IT and software industries. The tourism and hospitality industries also offer opportunities for English speakers.

If staying in Portugal for 183 days of the year or longer, a person is considered a resident for tax purposes and must pay taxes on both local and international income. The amounts are determined on a progressive scale, ranging from 14.5% through to 48%. This is automatically deducted from an employee’s salary. Expats residing in the country for less than the 183-day period pay tax only on local income. This is done on a flat tax rate of 25%.[14]

[14] https://www.expatica.com/pt/finance/taxes/portuguese-income-tax-filing-a-portuguese-tax-return-as-an-expat-105172/ 

Living in Portugal is quite affordable. That, coupled with its glorious, balanced climate and gorgeous landscape, makes it a popular destination for retiring expats. Preferred destinations include Lisbon, Cascais, Coimbra and Tomar, with the seaside of the Algarve proving the most common choice amongst Brits and Americans.[15]

[15] https://transferwise.com/us/blog/guide-to-retiring-in-portugal 

The Portuguese working environment isn’t too dissimilar to most of its Western neighbors. There are a few things to observe, however. Hierarchy, in particular, is important, with many companies functioning on a top-down level of authority. Because of this, seniority and rank are highly valued in most companies and as such, there’s little collaborative decision making.[16]

Dress code is formal, with office attire mainly consisting of suits and ties for men while the dresses and suits worn by women should be modest and professional. Importantly, it’s best to ask colleagues before removing a jacket during a meeting. Eye contact is expected during communication and a handshake to men, women and children is considered the normal way to greet.[17]

In terms of punctuality, the Portuguese are fairly relaxed. While expats should always adhere to time expectations, they should not be surprised if locals arrive a little late. Most enjoy doing business with people they know and trust, and so getting to know one another is a vital part of corporate life. While much of the younger generation can speak English, it’s wise to have professionally translated documents at hand as well as an interpreter for specific meetings.

[16] https://commisceo-global.com/country-guides/portugal-guide 
[17] http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_pt.htm 

Traveling throughout Portugal is easy enough, with most expats choosing not to use a car. Cities such as Porto, Lisbon and Faro have well-functioning public transport systems that make getting around a fairly painless task, but this infrastructure doesn’t reach more remote and rural areas.

While trains run by Comboios de Portugal are an ideal choice for intercity journeys, they aren’t as frequent or affordable as other services. Some expats may instead opt for the bus because of its more comprehensive routes that stretch inland, with the biggest company being Rede Expressos.

Urban hubs usually have a variety of options, including trams, metros, taxis, buses and trains. Roads are in good condition, although standards aren’t as high in more remote regions. Local drivers can be aggressive and erratic, with the state clamping down on individuals who drive under the influence, speed or without a valid license. Expats should look to invest in a GPS as road signs are either rare or unclear.[18]

[18] https://www.expatarrivals.com/europe/portugal/transport-and-driving-portugal 

The official currency is the Euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents.

Money is available in the following denominations:

• Notes:EUR 5, EUR 10, EUR 20, EUR 50 and EUR 100
• Coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c and 50c, and EUR 1 and EUR 2

The cost of living in Portugal isn’t high, attracting many expats from both Europe and across the world. Because of its affordability, it’s also an extremely popular option for retirees. Big urban centers such as Lisbon and Porto will naturally be more expensive places to live compared to smaller towns and more rural regions.

Accommodation is affordable in relation to most of Portugal’s European neighbors, barring the villas of coastal resorts and golf courses. In fact, because of its cheap market, many expats choose to purchase property in Portugal, differing greatly to the usual renting practices of expats around the globe. Getting to and from one’s abode is also a breeze, with public transport both economical and efficient.

Groceries will definitely not cut into one’s budget, especially for those who enjoy seafood and wine. Education, on the other hand, will potentially cost expats a fair chunk of their paycheck. Because of the inadequate standards of free public schools, parents usually send their kids to private and international institutions.[19]

[19] http://www.expatarrivals.com/portugal/cost-of-living-in-portugal 

There’s nothing too complicated when it comes to banking in Portugal. Two of the largest banks in the country are Millenium BCP and NovoBanco.

Additionally, Multibanco operates as an interbank network which links 27 banks. ATMs within this network offer services that other countries’ ATMs don’t normally offer, such as payment of utility bills and income tax, purchasing of concert and cinema tickets, and contributions towards social security.

Opening a bank account in Portugal is fairly straightforward, but it requires certain documents such as proof of identity, proof of address, and a Portuguese fiscal number (NIF).