Why Portugal — what is not in the brochure
Cards, customer service and car rentals all work differently here, and the difference is measured in hundreds of euros.
Money and admin6 min read
The Pal
What nobody tells you before you come
Our newsletter and Portugal guide. Written from our own mistakes, kept up to date, and free.
Things they don't tell you in the brochure, Pt. 11
Mold, heating, healthcare, deliveries and prices — the adjustments nobody warns North Americans about.
Settling in9 min read
Housing
Imposto de Selo, unpaid utility arrears, what furnished really means, and the deposits foreigners get quoted.
Housing7 min read
Navigating energy costs and promotions
Cross-promotions, the Tarifa Social, and the thirty electricity suppliers worth comparing before you sign.
Utilities5 min read
Summer camps throughout Portugal
What IPDJ registration, supervision ratios and insurance should look like, plus six camps that welcome international children.
Family6 min read
No one gives you any rules until you break one
Fourteen rules and customs we learned the hard way, from crosswalks and laundry to flags and couvert.
Culture5 min read
Find the Loja do Cidadão
One stop instead of running all over town when you are new and need to touch several systems at once.
Government2 min read
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