If you are thinking of moving to Portugal or if you are still deciding, we have some top tips for you. This lively city draws hundreds of tourists every year. Portugal offers a great expat community too, so you will quickly feel at home. From its tasty food to the historical scenery, discover why it is one of the top European countries to move to!
We understand how stressful it can be when relocating to another country. Here at Sanelo, our team of experts are on hand to make things stress free and easy.
As a global international relocation company, we have years of experience. If you need to ship, fly or travel by road, we are ready to move you across the world!
Read more about this majestic city with our guides about moving to Porto and Lisbon.
1. Get To Know Portugal
The Benefits Of Living In Portugal
The Lovely Weather
The temperatures range between 77°F (25°C) and 43°F (6°C) throughout the year. The official Summer season starts towards the end of May, and you can enjoy sunny days until the end of September.
Portugal’s Natural Beauty
Imagine beautiful scenery of rolling hills, winding rivers and gold sandy beaches – Portugal has it all! You can also enjoy architecture, steeped in history. Inspired by cultures that have passed through the country over centuries.
Excellent Public Healthcare System
If you are an expat working and living in Portugal, you are eligible to access this healthcare benefit. You can opt for a private health insurance service for more coverage. A great benefit for those thinking of moving to Portugal from UK.
2. Research where’s best for you to Live In Portugal
Lisbon
Lisbon is a Portuguese city with sunny weather, colourful architecture, and friendly people.
It boasts plenty of attractions and holds the title of one of the most scenic cities in the world. This city also sits in the coastal area, so be prepared to enjoy the beach.
If we offer any advice, its to make sure you try the local cuisines while living in Lisbon. Moreover, Lisbon is famous for its affordable food prices.
Lisbon is an excellent decision for professionals who work for a locally based company or digital nomads. This city offers opportunities to professionals with any expertise and industrial background.
Porto
Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal, also the home of Port Wine Production.
It’s one of the top tourist destinations in Portugal, for good reason! Tempting people in with stunning historical sites and beautiful city views.
Porto has parks and gardens for the residents. Here, residents can balance their stress levels because the green areas are accessible. These green areas are important as places for people to relax, enjoy outdoor activities, and socialise.
The neighbourhoods in Porto are safe and suitable for singles, families, students, and even senior citizens. These neighbourhoods have excellent amenities, and are walkable, so you can go around your area on foot.
No matter which neighbourhood in Porto you choose to live in, you will still be well-connected since the public transport here is good.
If you want to cut expenses and save more money in Porto, you may follow these tips:
- Share an apartment with your friend or colleague.
- Get a Porto transport card to access all public transportation for €40 (42.5 USD) per month.
- Find cheap grocery stores by asking for recommendations from your local friends and colleagues.
Braga
The next city you want to consider is Braga, one of the oldest cities in Portugal.
Braga is a lively city with students coming to pursue education in the local institutions. You will also find vibrant nightlife with clubs and bars around the city in Braga.
3. Learn about the biggest industries and jobs in demand.
Moving to Portugal for a better job opportunity is not a bad decision. In fact, the industries growing in this country are pretty diverse. This means everyone can have a chance regardless of their job experience and expertise.
- You will find more opportunities if you can speak the Portuguese language.
- Ask your employer about your health insurance to decide if you need more coverage or not.
- You do not need a work visa if you are a European Union (EU) citizen.
- Learn about the tax policy in Portugal, such as income tax, wealth tax, and tax benefits.
- Set up a local bank account as soon as you start working in Portugal.
4. Learn The Best Way To Explore Portugal
Portugal is well-connected because of its public transport. You can easily get to the towns and cities using public transport. However, be aware that if you want to venture further out a taxi is the best option.
Travelling by train is easy and it’s affordable too, which is a welcome addition. The trains themselves are old and only covers part of the country, but connects all the major cities together! Taxis are also an affordable option to get around the country, with Uber increasing in more cities.
On top of that, Portugal has seven international airports.
5. Visit These Beautiful Places When You Are Living In Portugal
We recommend some of the iconic places in Portugal below as your reference:
- Porto City centre,
- Douro Valley,
- Parque National Da Serra Da Estrella,
- Sintra, and
- The Chapel of Bones in Évora.
The country sits alongside the Atlantic coastline, giving you the chance to enjoy gorgeous beaches. These include Camilo, Amado, Martin AL, etc.
6. Explore Portuguese Cuisine
Portugal has hundreds of local dishes. Being familiar with the local food will also help you settle faster in this country.
Below are some of the most recommended Portuguese dishes that you shouldn’t miss:
- Pastéis de nata (Portuguese custard tart, pictured above),
- Bacalhau (salted and dried cod),
- Caldo Verde,
- Bolinhos de Bacalhau (deep fried salted and dried cod),
- Arroz de Marisco (seafood stew), and many more.
Trying the traditional Port Wine is also important for any new resident. This wine is produced in the Douro Valley, one of the oldest European wine regions.
Being familiar with the local food will also help you settle faster in this country.
7. Engage A Moving Company For A Less Stressful Relocation Process
Engaging a moving company like Sanelo will eventually lessen your stress. There are many moving parts if you are thinking of moving to Portugal from the UK.
Our main goal as a relocation business is to make your move as smooth and simple as possible. We have great technology such as shipment tracking and home survey tools that make your move much easier. You can now track your shipment across the world at the click of a button, using special AI technology. As well as creating your home inventory in the comfort of your own home, it’s all built around making it seamless!
We have offices across the globe, no matter where you are, we can be on hand to help make the move possible.
Can Sanelo Help With International Relocation To Portugal?
Of course! We are proud to be part of the Santa Fe relocation group. With years of expertise behind us, our team are ready to help.
Our relocation experts will be with you every step of the way. From that first conversation until you turn the key at your new home. There is no better feeling than knowing everything is taken care of! We want you to focus on what is important; the farewell party, the goodbyes and of course, enjoying life in your new home.
They will make sure that everything happens on schedule as well as sorting out the customs paperwork. Moving internationally can sometimes be complicated, so we are equipped with the knowledge. From shipment bookings to custom clearance, we manage absolutely everything so you don’t have to.
So, when you’re ready to move, we can be your perfect moving partner for international relocation to Portugal. Simply visit our website or contact us to talk to our relocation experts today.
Our team will walk you through the process to ensure the shipment of your belongings runs smoothly.
For more tips and information about moving abroad, check out the following articles: