• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Spain
  • Portugal
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Culture
    • IberoArts
      • Books
      • Music
      • Films
  • Iberoblog
    • Videos
  • About Iberosphere
    • Contributors
    • Contact
    • Fine print
      • Privacy Policy
      • Disclaimer
      • Copyright

Iberosphere

News, comment and analysis on Spain, Portugal and beyond

Moving to Portugal: A guide to get you started

May 17, 2011 by Expatica Leave a Comment

If you’ve just landed in Portugal, it’s tempting to start exploring, but there are some essential tasks to get through first. Our Getting Started section offers a wealth of important information and advice.

Visas and permits

If you haven’t done it already, sorting out your residence permit is an essential first step.

Opening a bank account

Another essential step is opening a bank account. Visit our Banking section for details on banking in Portugal and to keep up to date with news from the financial world.

Finding a home

So you have your visa and bank account. Now you need to find a place to stay. Read Expatica’s guide to where to live in Portugal. Should you rent or buy? Expatica helps you to do the research and decide on the best housing option. Visit our Housing sections for guides, advice and tips.

Education

Education is another important point for you to consider when moving to Portugal with your family. You’ll need to decide on local or international education for your children and pick a school. Visit our Education section to find out about the Portuguese education system.

If you have young children, you may need to enrol them in a daycare centre or hire an au pair. Expatica’s Kids and Pre-school sections will help you to find suitable childcare. Students should visit our Higher Education section and Courses & Workshops has something for everyone.

Setting up home

Once you have found accommodation, you’ll need to get connected and set up basic utilities. Ask around to find the most cost-effective service providers; why not try asking in the Expatica forums or Ask the Expert section?

Finding a job

If you are looking for a job, then learn more about the management culture in Portugal before you start on your job hunt. Check out our Employment & Trends section for more advice and tips.

Learning the language

Speaking the local language is important if you want to improve your social life as well as job prospects, therefore make sure that you enrol in a language course and pay a visit to our Languages section

Healthcare

So far so good, but don’t forget your health – moving country is stressful. Learn about the Portuguese health system by clicking on our Healthcare section.

Join the community

Get out and about, and network – become a member of Expatica’s community in Portugal, make full use of Expatica’s forums, and use the dating site to meet and interact with like-minded people in the international community.

Filed Under: Expats, Portugal Expat Tagged With: expatica, living in portugal, moving to portugal, portugal visa, portuguese life, relocating, relocation, work in portugal

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The End

Iberosphere calls it a day after three-and-a-half years

Recent Comments

  • Tim on What I learned in a Spanish brothel
  • tom scott on Sex and the Spanish single lady
  • tom scott on What I learned in a Spanish brothel
  • Matt on Sex and the Spanish single lady
  • betty on Madrid, capital of the special advertising section

Recent Posts

  • The End
  • Maybe Rajoy is right: deny everything and it’ll go away
  • A slow death in the afternoon
  • Tales for Tapas: Leaving Spain
  • Spain ahead of the US in bankers’ prosecution

Copyright © 2025 · Iberosphere · Log in