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Removals to Portugal are becoming more and more popular as people discover everything this European country has to offer. From its warm climate to its relaxed lifestyle, its welcoming people and affordable cost of living, moving to Portugal makes a lot of sense. Here are some essential facts which will give you a few pointers to prepare your relocation.
Portugal occupies the most westerly point in Europe where the Atlantic Ocean meets the balmy Mediterranean Sea. The beaches in Portugal are first class and complement the warm climate which boasts lots of sunshine all year round.
The standard of living is high and yet the cost of living is low, indeed a perfect combination. It offers a relaxed lifestyle and welcomes international visitors. Portugal is really a great place to live in.
Food, family and community are important pillars of Portuguese society and you’ll find that everyone makes time for all three.
Portugal was one of the first countries to adopt the euro as its currency. However, you can still exchange old Escudos for Euros at banks in Portugal.
The national language of Portugal is Portuguese which is spoken by everyone throughout the country. Portuguese is notably different from its Brazilian version, and natives of the two countries sometimes struggle to understand each other!
In the main cities, you may find that you are able to communicate without speaking Portuguese. 27% of the population speak English, followed closely by French at 24%. Spanish surprisingly trails significantly with just 10% of Portuguese natives speaking it as a second language.
Although you might be able to get by without resorting to Portuguese there will be occasions when it’s inescapable. All government documentation is in Portuguese and the officials at their offices will only converse in Portuguese. This includes the immigration office, a department you may well have reason to speak to. Older Portuguese residents are less likely to speak English so you may find you’re not able to fully take part in your community.
Finally, if you think you might want permanent residency in Portugal one day, it would be helpful to start learning the language now. This is because to get your application granted, you will have to demonstrate a decent working knowledge of Portuguese.
Portugal provides a good level of healthcare, ranked as 12th globally by the World Health Organisation. Both state and private healthcare exist in Portugal, combining to create a better experience.
EU nationals who hold an EHIC card will be entitled to the same state medical treatment as Portuguese nationals. These rights continue when an individual either becomes an employee of a Portuguese employer or becomes a permanent resident.
However, not all medical treatment in Portugal is free and individuals may have to contribute towards the cost. In some cases, the required contribution is hefty. For this reason, many people opt to take out private cover, so they get better coverage and face lower costs.
Anyone who doesn’t qualify for the state healthcare system will also need to rely on a private cover.
It’s possible to drive in Portugal but whether you choose to do so may depend in a large part on whereabouts in the country you settle. Areas such as Faro, Lisbon and Porto have excellent transport links, making a car surplus to requirements. However, in more remote parts of Portugal, as well as in the Algarve it helps to be able to drive to get around.
Some drivers in Portugal can be erratic on the road and this can take some time to get used to. Portuguese police are getting tougher on drivers who speed or drive without a licence, making the roads a safer place.
In general, the road network is well maintained but in rural parts of Portugal this may not be the case and conditions can quickly become dangerous. Maps and signs are not always accurate and can be tricky to follow so navigating around the country is a bit of an art.
As an alternative to driving, there is an excellent bus system which operates inland as well as along coastal routes and within cities. Buses reach the remote areas in Portugal so although the journey time may be a little longer, it’s a very economical and flexible form of transport.
Portugal also has trains but their coverage is not as good as the buses’. They run less frequently and cost more too, making them the lesser preferred option for public transport.
Portugal is a member of the EU and part of the Schengen Zone. This means that anyone with a Schengen visa can visit the country for the purposes of pleasure, not business.
EU citizens have the right to live and work within Portugal for as long as they want without applying for a visa or permit. Nationals from countries like the US or Australia can visit without a visa; however, their stay cannot exceed 90 days, and they cannot work.
Non-EU nationals wishing to visit or remain longer in Portugal or even have the right to work will need to apply for a specific visa.
EU citizens don’t need to apply for a residence permit to remain in the country but for practical purposes, it can be useful to have. Once granted it acts as a valuable form of ID and can help to open bank accounts etc.
Moving to Portugal is a popular choice due to its prime location on the Iberian Peninsula. International removals companies will be very familiar with the route and will have excellent knowledge about the Customs procedures that you’ll have to pass through.
Although Portugal is very accessible, you may want to think twice before organising everything yourself. Using a professional, reputable European moving company offers benefits beyond the long drive and you might be surprised at how little it costs.
Whether you choose our Load & Go or our EasyMoves solution, European Moving can help you with your removal. We shall be able to help you with the full list of restrictions that apply to removals to Portugal and also provide advice on a whole range of removal issues you may not have encountered before.