Are you considering Portugal as your new home? Before you pack your bags, here are five essential things to know to make your transition easier and to make the most of your residence in this country:
1. Know the cost of living:
The cost of living in Portugal is affordable compared to other European countries, but it varies by city. Lisbon and Porto, for example, are more expensive, while regions such as the Algarve or Braga are cheaper. Plan your budget for rent, transportation and food, considering that the minimum wage is around 800 euros.
2. Learn basic words of the language:
Although Portuguese may at first seem very similar to Spanish, when it comes to the truth, it's a totally different language. For this reason, we recommend that you learn a little Portuguese to make your daily life easier and also so that you can integrate faster. Basic words and phrases like “” (thank you) and “Bom Dia” (good morning) can make a difference.
On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to learn basic financial vocabulary words that could help you in your banking process, such as “money”, “current account”, “credit card”.
3. Learn about the options that exist to extend your stay:
If you plan to stay longer than three months (which is how long you can stay in the European Union with your country's document), you'll need to apply for a residence permit. Before you travel, research the options available depending on your situation: work visa, visa for digital nomads, or the Golden Visa if you plan to invest in the country.
To answer your questions and learn about all the available options, we invite you to visit this page: https://holaportugal.pt/visas/
4. Familiarize yourself with the Portuguese culture and lifestyle:
Portugal is known for its quiet pace of life, its varied cuisine and its places steeped in history.
Get ready to enjoy “Bacalhau”, “pastéis” de nata and “fados”. In addition, as an interesting fact, the Portuguese value punctuality and courtesy in their interactions.
5. Plan how to manage your finances and when sending money to your country of origin:
If you haven't yet fully closed your debts, outstanding payments or simply want to help your family in your country of origin, look for money transfer alternatives that suit you and, above all, that offer you affordable rates.
With Retorna, you can send money from Portugal to Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina and Peru quickly, securely and with one of the best rates in the market.
Designed with migrants like you in mind, Retorna allows you to take care of your loved ones as you build your future abroad, ensuring that every euro you send home counts.
In addition, just for this month, if you send more than 50€ to Venezuela and use the LUIS10 coupon, you will receive 10€ as a gift so that you can send more money to your loved ones.
What do you expect? Download the App today and learn all the benefits of sending money in seconds and without complications. (Link to the app).
In short, migrating to Portugal is a decision that combines opportunities and challenges, but it can become an enriching experience if approached with planning.
This country offers an outstanding quality of life, an accessible health and education system, and flexible legal options for those seeking to settle temporarily or permanently.
Remember that before making a final decision, it's important to evaluate the pros and cons based on your personal goals to ensure that your transition is successful.
