10 things to do during your first week in Portugal

From finding a home to grabbing some fresh pastéis de nata, here’s our list of 10 things you need to do during your first week in Portugal.

The colorful European nation of Portugal definitely knows how to welcome new arrivals. With delicious cuisine, friendly locals, and Instagram-ready scenery at every turn, you’ll soon feel at home. But whether you’re moving to Porto, Portimão, or the stunning Ilha do Pico, there are a few things you’ll need to do during your first week in Portugal to help you settle in.

As any seasoned expat will tell you, the first few days in a new country can be something of a rollercoaster. Laidback Portugal is no exception to this. After all, knowing your way around everyday life in your new home can be a challenge, whether it’s finding your nearest Portuguese supermarket or knowing which tram takes you to the waterfront. To help you out, here are 10 things you should do during your first week in Portugal.

1. Find your new Portuguese home

Once you’ve set foot on Portuguese soil, you’ll need somewhere to rest your head that evening. Some new arrivals will be lucky enough to have their accommodation sorted before their first week in Portugal, whether arranged by their company or booked ahead of time as part of their moving checklist. However, if you wait until you arrive in Portugal, you still have options. For a short-term fix, you may consider a serviced apartment or holiday let to tide you over. You’ll find serviced apartments in Portugal’s bigger cities, while holiday lets can be found throughout the country.

If you’re looking for something a little more permanent, you might want to consider renting a property in Portugal. Rent prices vary significantly across the country, although you can expect to pay more in cities such as Lisbon and Porto, as well as some of the more sought-after resort towns. If you’re thinking about buying a home in Portugal, you’ll probably need to do a little more research. A good place to start is the online property portals, as well as a local estate agent who may be able to help you with the process.

2. Register with the authorities

Some new arrivals to Portugal need to register with the local authorities. However, this depends on your situation, so do your research ahead of time. For example, EU/EEA citizens moving for less than three months are not required to register. However, those planning a longer stay will need to meet certain conditions and apply for a registration certificate within four months of arriving. For non-EU/EEA citizens, you may need to register with the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras [SEF]) within three working days of arrival. At the very least, you’ll likely need a residency permit for a longer stay

Depending on your situation, you may also want to apply for a Portuguese fiscal number (numero de identificação fiscal or NIF) during your first week in Portugal. This is your tax identification number. This number is not a legal requirement and you won’t get in trouble for not having one. That said, without a NIF, you won’t be able to do a whole host of things, such as pay taxes, sign up for home internet, or even get food delivered from your local supermarket. For more information, read our guide to applying for a NIF in Portugal.

3. Sign up for health insurance

If you’re new in Portugal, you’ll probably want to find out about the local healthcare system. Portugal has a state-operated system that functions in a similar way to the UK’s NHS. Once you’ve received your NIF, you’ll find it easy to sign up with a local health center for treatment. However, many expats relocating to Portugal choose private health insurance instead. These are often global companies offering policies tailored to the expat market, and include:

• Allianz Care
• Cigna Global

For more information on finding coverage and signing up, read our guide to health insurance in Portugal.

It’s not only the health of you and your family you’ll need to consider during your first week in Portugal. Indeed, there are a number of other insurance products you might want to consider. For example, if you’re going to drive in Portugal, then you’ll need car insurance. You might also want home insurance for your house, both building and contents cover. Depending on your circumstances, there are other insurance policies you may wish to consider. To give you an idea, read our guide to insurance in Portugal.

4. Open a Portuguese bank account

One way to make your life a little easier during your first week in Portugal is by opening a Portuguese bank account. Whether you’re setting up your Portuguese SIM card or getting your first paycheck from your brand new job in Portugal, a local bank account will make things simple. It’ll also help if you choose to treat some new friends to some beers or take the kids to see your local football team in action.

Despite its relatively small size, Portugal has a wide range of banking options for new arrivals. Major banks in Portugal include Novo Banco, Caixa Geral de Deposito and Millenium BCP. The quickest way to open an account is by visiting your local branch, however, you’ll probably need some Portuguese language skills to make it work. Another option is mobile banking. These digital banks offer easier sign-up processes, which are typically online and in English. Mobile banks in Portugal include:

• bunq
• N26

If you need to transfer money from back home, then check out money transfer platforms such as Wise and World Remit.

5. Get a Portuguese SIM card

Need a cheap and easy way to keep in touch with loved ones back home? Perhaps you want to stay connected with all your new friends in Portugal? Or maybe you’re taking the plunge and going self-employed in your new home? Whatever your reason, getting a Portuguese SIM card can make a huge difference in your life. This is especially true if you’re arriving from a non-EU country and your existing operator doesn’t offer free roaming in Portugal.

When it comes to getting hold of a Portuguese SIM card, you have two main options: a prepaid SIM card or signing up for a mobile contract. The Portuguese mobile phone market is a competitive place, and it’s essential you find the right option for you and your usage. Portuguese mobile operators include:

• MEO
• Vodafone
• NOS

Whichever network you choose, be sure to download these top 10 must-have Portuguese apps during your first week in Portugal.

6. Find a job

Some new arrivals to Portugal will be lucky enough to already have a job secured before they reach the country. However, for many others finding a job will be high on their priority list of things to do during their first week in Portugal. If that includes you, it’s a good idea to research your options soon after you arrive and give yourself an idea of how the local job market functions. Generally speaking, you’ll find more opportunities in the larger cities like Porto and Lisbon. However, if you know where to look you can find jobs throughout the country.

Whether you end up in Aveiro or the Algarve, it’s a good idea to start your job hunt during your first week in Portugal. While this may sound a little daunting, there are a number of ways to make the process as smooth as possible. For example, it’s always a good idea to tailor your resume to the local Portuguese jobs market to give yourself the best chance at landing that interview. You can also check out the local online job sites to see what the market is like, such as the Expatica jobs board. For more information, read our guide to finding a job in Portugal.

7. Sort out your transport

Whether you’ve moved your entire family to Faro or you’re going alone in the Azores, one of the first things you’ll need to sort out during your first week in Portugal is your transportation. Your transit options will largely depend on where you’re living. In larger towns and cities you’ll find accessible public transit systems. For example, both Lisbon and Porto have metro systems, with the capital also home to one of the world’s most picturesque tram networks. In other places, you’ll find rail and bus connections. You can also head out on two wheels – cycling is growing in popularity and is a great way to help you live sustainably in Portugal.

However, some new arrivals in Portugal will need four wheels to get around, particularly in more rural areas or some island communities with limited public transport links. If you plan to get behind the wheel, make sure you read our guide to driving in Portugal. Arrivals from other EU/EEA countries will be able to use their existing license in Portugal. However, if you’re planning to stay awhile in the country, you should consider swapping it for a local license.

8. Get your new home connected

Once you’ve found a house or apartment in Portugal, you’ll need to turn it into your new home. One of the ways to do this is by sorting out all the relevant connections you need. Setting up your Portuguese utilities should be a top priority, and you have plenty of options based on your situation and needs. Portuguese energy companies include:

• EDP
• Gold Energy
• Simples Energy

You’ll also need to set up an account with your local water provider. Some rental homes will already have these connections sorted. However, many will not. If you’re looking for a flatshare, you will likely need to split utility costs with your housemates too.

Once you’ve got some electricity at home, you can set up your other connections, including internet and home phone. Thankfully, this is fairly straightforward in Portugal, although there are a number of companies to choose from, including:

• MEO
• Vodafone
• Lazer

These providers also offer TV packages, which allow you to access shows and channels from Portugal and beyond. Do your research if you’re looking for certain channels, such as sports, international, or kids TV.

9. Enroll the kids in school

If you’re relocating with children, finding them a place in a local school will probably be high on your to-do list during your first week in Portugal. A good place to start is researching the Portuguese education system ahead of time. This will give you an idea of what to expect when you arrive, as well as your options regarding schools. If you’ve decided to enroll them in a local Portuguese school, then contact your local municipality as soon as possible to help the process along. Public schools in Portugal are typically the cheapest option and a great way for your little ones to integrate into society.

However, many international families prefer to enroll their kids at an international school in Portugal. These schools typically have more international education options, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB). If your kids aren’t school-age, you might want to look into childcare during your first week in Portugal. You’ll be able to find international daycare centers in cities and towns popular with expats, but places can fill up quickly. If you want to brush up on your language skills, find out more in our guide to learning Portuguese.

10. Get out there and enjoy Portugal

You’ll probably only move to Portugal once, so make the most of that all-important first week. Indeed, if everything else on this list seems like hard work, don’t forget to give yourself some time to enjoy your new home, because there’s plenty of things to see and do. Whether you want to hit the beach, explore the mountainous inland areas, or simply sit on the waterfront and watch the world go by while enjoying some fresh pastéis de nata, you’ve got options in Portugal.

If you’re in Lisbon, why not check out a food market or ride the city’s picture-perfect tram network and get a feel for the beautiful Portuguese capital. In Porto, be sure to sample the local port wines and marvel at the views over the Douro. And that’s not all. From hiking through the breathtaking island of São Miguel to soaking up the sun on a rugged Algarve beach, you won’t be left disappointed. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy your first week in Portugal.