About Portugal

Every person has their own story, but many of us share the fact that by fate, we have ended up in a new country where we need to build a new life as soon as possible. We hope our Expaterra portal can help you!

So, Portugal: a land of opportunities and warm hospitality, where everyone will find their home among picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Culture and lifestyle

Portugal's culture and way of life is characterised by a unique blend of tradition, natural beauty, friendliness and openness. The Portuguese are proud of their rich history, which is reflected in architecture, music, art and cuisine.

Fado is a traditional musical genre that is considered the epitome of the Portuguese soul. Fado songs tend to be melancholic and deal with themes of love, loss and longing, which in Portuguese is called "saudade". Fado is part of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage and is widely popular in Portugal and beyond.

Family ties are very strong in Portugal and relatives often spend time together. Portuguese people value friendship and ties with neighbours very much, which is reflected in regular meals, holidays and other get-togethers. Family lunches and dinners are considered an important tradition and Sundays are often dedicated to family gatherings.

 

The Portuguese love festivals and celebrate them in a big way. Each town and village has its own festival in honour of a patron saint, complete with street processions, concerts and dances. Important national holidays include Easter, Christmas, Carnival and the Festival of St Anthony in Lisbon, which is accompanied by parades and music.

 

In Portugal, especially in the provincial areas, people live a leisurely life, valuing work-life balance. Portuguese people often take coffee and social breaks, enjoy lunch and respect a relaxed lifestyle. Portugal is renowned for its natural beauty, from the beaches on the Algarve coast to the mountains of Sera da Estrela. The love of nature is evident in the popularity of surfing, sailing, hiking and other outdoor activities.

 

Portuguese cuisine is characterised by simplicity, freshness and the use of local produce. Many dishes are based on seafood, olive oil, garlic, fresh vegetables and spices. Bacalhau (codfish) is a staple of Portuguese cuisine. The Portuguese also love fried sardines, especially during the festival of St Anthony in Lisbon. Calda verde is a traditional Portuguese soup made of cabbage, potatoes and chorizo sausage and is often served at family dinners. The Portuguese use different types of meat such as pork, beef and lamb to make casseroles and grilled dishes. Pasteis de nata are famous cream cakes served with cinnamon and icing sugar. They were invented by monks and have become a symbol of Portuguese cuisine. Port wine is a fortified wine produced in the Douro region and exported all over the world. In Portugal, port wine is drunk as an aperitif or dessert wine. Coffee is an important part of Portuguese daily life. The classic Portuguese coffee is espresso, called bica. Coffee shops and bars everywhere in the country are places for socialising, relaxing and leisurely conversations.

Portugal offers a unique blend of cultural traditions, rich cuisine and a relaxed lifestyle. This makes it an attractive destination for travelling and living alike, with something for everyone - whether it's fine dining, soulful fado tunes or tranquil beaches.

Portugal regularly holds high positions in the rankings of tourist destinations. It has been recognised more than once as the best tourist destination in Europe and the world by the World Travel Awards. The Algarve and Madeira are often recognised as leading beach destinations. Portugal, especially the Nazare Coast, is considered one of the best surfing destinations in the world. It holds records for the highest wave ever ridden by a human being.

Portugal is among the safest countries in the world. It was ranked 6th in the Global Peace Index in 2023, thanks to its low crime rate and stable political situation. Portugal is often included in the top 10 countries for expat living, receiving high marks for friendliness, comfort and affordability of accommodation.

Portugal is considered one of the leading countries in the world in terms of the share of electricity generated from renewable sources. In the Environmental Performance Index, Portugal is consistently ranked high for its policies on nature protection, emission control and sustainable development.

Portugal is ranked in the top 20 countries with the best quality of healthcare by the World Health Organisation. The National Health Service offers affordable and quality healthcare, making Portugal an attractive destination for expats and retirees. Portugal ranks high in medical tourism rankings due to its combination of affordable prices and high quality medical services.

Portugal, in particular Lisbon and Madeira, is among the top 5 best destinations for digital nomads. Portugal is actively developing its IT sector and sustainability. Lisbon has been recognised as one of Europe's leading startup hubs.

Portugal is one of the largest wine producers in the world and is known for its unique wines such as port wine and vinho verde. Portuguese cuisine and restaurants are recognised internationally. Many Portuguese chefs have received Michelin stars and in 2021 Lisbon was recognised as one of the most attractive gastronomic destinations in Europe.

Despite its many achievements, Portugal faces some challenges. Compared to other European Union countries, Portugal ranks among the lowest in average wages. In GDP growth rankings, Portugal is often among the lowest-growth countries.

Portugal ranks among the last in the EU in terms of poverty among the elderly. Despite affordable health care and social programmes, pension payments remain low, leading to high poverty rates in older age groups. Portugal is often at the bottom of social equity rankings: the income gap between the poor and the rich remains wide, leading to social problems and hindering access to education and health care for poor families.

The country ranks low in the ratings for waiting times for medical services. Many patients face long waits to see specialists and receive routine treatment. There is a shortage of doctors and nurses in Portugal, especially in rural areas.

Portugal ranks among the lowest in the EU in terms of digital literacy among the population, which remains low among the elderly and rural populations. Portugal ranks relatively low in education funding rankings.

Portugal faces the problem of bureaucracy, which is reflected in low positions in the ease of doing business rankings. The country has complex administrative procedures, making it difficult to start a business and obtain permits, especially for foreign investors.

Despite these challenges, Portugal is actively working to improve its performance and address these issues. 

Local language

Learning Portuguese can be an interesting but challenging process. Although Portuguese is a Romance language and shares many similarities with other European languages, it has its own unique characteristics and challenges. 

Portuguese, especially the European dialect, is characterised by distinctive sounds, such as nasal vowels (ão, õe), which can be difficult to pronounce. The pronunciation of the "R" at the beginning of a word and between vowels differs from that in other Romance languages. 

Portuguese has several tenses and inflections that need to be memorised. Portuguese nouns, adjectives and articles have gender and number that need to be correctly matched. Returning verbs such as se levantar (to get up) require the use of return pronouns, which can seem difficult to learn.

Portuguese has many words that sound similar but have different meanings. Portuguese has many words that sound similar to words in other languages, especially Spanish, but have different meanings. For example, the word pasta means "folder", not "pasta" as in Italian.

Portuguese people speak quickly and abbreviate words, which can make listening difficult, especially for beginners. In Portuguese, intonation often differs from the usual patterns. For example, questions may be asked with intonation that does not rise at the end of a phrase, which can be confusing for beginners.

Learning Portuguese can require effort and patience, especially if you are keen to master the nuances and differences between the Brazilian and European versions. Nevertheless, mastering this language offers access to the rich culture and history of Portugal and Brazil, as well as opportunities to communicate with more than 250 million people around the world.