Commerce & Services Portugal

In Portugal, there are several large supermarket and hypermarket chains that meet the needs of locals and immigrants:

 

 

 

Continente: the largest supermarket and hypermarket chain in Portugal, with more than 500 stores, including in Madeira and the Azores; offers a wide range of products, including groceries, household chemicals, and electronics.

 

 

 

Pingo Doce: a popular supermarket chain with more than 450 stores; known for its meat and fish departments, as well as fresh pastries.

 

 

 

Minipreço: more than 600 stores, mostly small supermarkets, offering products at discounted prices.

 

 

 

Lidl and Aldi: German discount chains, popular for their low prices and promotional products; in Portugal, Lidl has about 250 stores, and Aldi has more than 70.

 

 

 

Auchan: a chain of hypermarkets offering a wide range of products, including clothing, electronics, and groceries.

 

 

 

Intermarché: a French supermarket chain with about 200 stores across Portugal; offers a wide selection of products, including fresh vegetables and meat.

 

 

 

Besides these chains, there are small regional chains such as Apolónia, popular in the Algarve, offering premium products and international brands.

In Portugal, there are several large online stores that are key players in the e-commerce market:

 

Worten.pt: the largest Portuguese online store; specializes in electronics, appliances, and multimedia.

 

Amazon.es: although Amazon does not have a separate Portuguese version, many Portuguese prefer to place orders through the Spanish site; offers free delivery on orders over a certain amount and convenient return conditions.

 

Aliexpress.com: a popular platform for purchasing goods from China; offers a wide range of products at low prices.

 

Continente.pt: the online version of the largest supermarket chain in Portugal; the site is popular for ordering groceries and essentials with home delivery.

 

Fnac.pt: a well-known chain of electronics, books, and entertainment stores; provides opportunities to purchase tickets for various events.

In Portugal, postal services are mainly provided by the National Postal Service (CTT).

 

Types of mailings: services for delivering letters and parcels both domestically and internationally. Standard domestic mail takes 3 business days to be delivered, while express delivery takes 24 hours. For international shipping, the delivery time is 5 to 7 days, depending on the region.

 

Post offices and pickup points: There are over 500 post offices and about 2000 pickup points in Portugal where packages can be sent or received.

 

Alternative delivery options: If the recipient is absent, the package can be left at a post office or a special locker from which it can be collected at a convenient time. There is also a delivery service to pickup points, which is convenient for those living in remote areas.

 

International services: In Portugal, international companies like DHL, FedEx, and UPS operate, providing the option to choose between different courier services for sending and receiving parcels from abroad.

Main operators

 

MEO: the largest provider in the country; offers fiber-optic internet, television, mobile, and landline phone services; has the largest coverage nationwide and provides internet speeds up to 10 Gbps.

 

NOS: known for its entertainment packages and high-speed internet; however, in some areas, it may offer "fiber through coaxial cable," which can reduce speed compared to genuine fiber.

 

Vodafone: a popular mobile and internet service provider; offers stable fiber-optic internet and mobile packages with various data rates.

 

NOWO: offers more budget-friendly internet and TV options; connection quality may vary depending on the region.

 

Service Features

 

Internet: Fiber-optic connectivity is available almost throughout the country, ensuring high speed. When choosing a plan, it is important to consider needs—ranging from basic speed for social networks to high speed for gaming and streaming.

 

Television: It is usually included in the service package, with availability of both local and international channels.

 

Mobile Communication: Including a mobile contract in the overall service package helps reduce communication costs and gain more data for internet use. This is especially convenient for families, as multiple numbers can be included in one package.

 

Connection Process: Usually, a passport, tax number (NIF), and proof of address are required for connection. The installation process may take several weeks, especially if a new line is needed.

In Portugal, food and goods delivery services are becoming increasingly popular, and there are several major players in this field:

 

Uber Eats: One of the largest food delivery platforms in Portugal; operates in major cities such as Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, Aveiro, and even in Madeira; allows ordering from restaurants and fast-food chains, as well as traditional Portuguese dishes.

 

Glovo: The platform offers delivery not only of food but also various goods (from supermarket products to medications and even furniture); available in major cities like Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Braga, and Coimbra, and supports delivery from numerous local stores.

 

Takeaway.com: A platform for ordering food; operates nationwide; often offers free delivery on orders over a certain amount; suitable for those who prefer orders from small restaurants and chains, such as pizzerias and cafes.

 

Supermarket Delivery: For grocery delivery from supermarkets, the networks Continente and Auchan are popular. These supermarkets offer both home delivery and pickup options. It is worth noting that some require a tax number (NIF) when placing an order.

 

Too Good To Go: An innovative platform aimed at combating food waste. Through this app, you can purchase boxes of unsold products from restaurants and stores at reduced prices.

In Portugal, the operating hours of shops and services can vary depending on the type of establishment and the region. However, in general, the following features can be highlighted:

 

Regular Shops: Most shops operate from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 19:00, with a lunch break from 13:00 to 15:00. On Saturdays, shops are usually open only in the morning — from 9:00 to 13:00. Sunday is a day off for many shops.

 

Shopping Centers and Supermarkets: Major shopping centers and supermarkets operate without breaks and often stay open until 22:00. In some major cities, such as Lisbon and Porto, stores in shopping centers may operate until midnight.

 

Banks and Exchange Offices: Banks operate from Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 15:00, while exchange offices may operate from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 19:00.

Local Brands

 

Continente: The largest supermarket chain in Portugal, very popular among locals and immigrants.

 

Delta Cafés: A renowned coffee brand, considered one of the most respected in the country.

 

Super Bock: A leading Portuguese beer producer, also popular in international markets.

 

EDP (Energias de Portugal): A leading electricity supplier and one of the country's most valuable companies.

 

Pingo Doce: A large supermarket chain actively expanding its network and improving customer service.

 

International Brands

 

Samsung, Apple: Well-known electronics brands with significant positions in the Portuguese market.

 

Nike, Adidas: International sportswear and footwear brands actively represented in major shopping centers.

 

Zara, IKEA: Popular fashion and home goods brands with numerous stores throughout the country.

In Portugal, the shopping culture has its unique traits and etiquette that can be useful for immigrants and visitors to the country. Here are some key features:

 

Greetings and Politeness

 

Upon entering a store or market, it is customary to greet the seller with "Bom dia" (Good morning) or "Boa tarde" (Good afternoon), which creates a positive atmosphere for interaction. Politeness in communication is highly valued, so it is important not to forget to use phrases such as "por favor" (please) and "obrigado/obrigada" (thank you).

 

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Handling Products

 

At small local markets, it is usually not customary to touch fruits and vegetables yourself. Instead, buyers indicate which products they need, and sellers choose them. If you prefer to choose for yourself, it would be polite to ask: "Posso escolher?" (Can I choose?).

 

Payment

 

Although credit cards are accepted in most supermarkets and large stores, cash is still preferred at markets and small shops. Therefore, it is recommended to always carry small bills and coins with you.

 

Bargaining and Discounts

 

Bargaining is not customary in supermarkets and municipal markets, but at open-air fairs or with private sellers, you can try to negotiate a price reduction, especially for a large purchase. It's important to always remain polite and respectfully accept a refusal if the seller is not willing to concede.

 

Gift Culture

 

In Portugal, there is a tradition of giving small gifts when visiting the homes of friends or acquaintances, such as a bottle of wine or sweets. Even if the hosts say you don’t need to bring anything, it would be polite to bring a small gift anyway.

 

Knowing these rules will help you quickly integrate into Portuguese society and establish good relations with locals.

Winter sales season: starts right after Christmas, on December 26, and continues until mid-February; a great time to buy winter clothes, shoes, and home goods at reduced prices.

 

Summer sales season: usually takes place from late June to mid-September; you can find good deals on summer clothes, accessories, and vacation goods.

 

Although there have been no legally fixed sales periods in Portugal since 2016, most large stores and brands continue to follow these traditional discount seasons. Additionally, some stores may hold additional promotions and discounts throughout the year, especially in the run-up to holidays or to clear out old collections.

 

Outlets such as Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet and Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet are popular in Portugal, where you can buy branded items at big discounts all year round.

 

For tourists from non-EU countries, there is a possibility of VAT refund (Tax-Free) on purchases above a certain limit. This makes shopping even more advantageous for foreigners.

The household waste disposal and recycling system in Portugal is organized at the municipal level and aims to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills through sorting and recycling.

 

Separate waste collection. Portugal employs a system of separate waste collection. Each area has colored containers intended for different types of waste:

 

Blue containers for paper and cardboard.

 

Yellow containers for plastic and metal.

 

Green containers for glass.

 

Grey containers for non-recyclable waste.

 

Sorting and recycling. Residents are required to sort waste and deposit it in the appropriate containers or recycling centers. In some areas, the collection of sorted waste is also available.

 

Electronic and hazardous waste. Special reception points exist for the disposal of household appliances, batteries, and electronic devices.

 

Using mobile applications like WasteApp helps people learn how to properly sort waste and improve their recycling skills.

 

Incorrect sorting of waste in Portugal is subject to fines. According to the law, if residents do not follow waste separation rules, they may face administrative penalties.

 

The fine amounts vary depending on the severity of the violation and can reach several hundred euros.