Living in Lisbon: the ultimate expat guide
Everything you need to know for a successful life in Lisbon.
Lisbon, which is Portugal's capital and biggest city, has an international outreach with its own particular personality and atmosphere. By moving to this city, you will enjoy a dynamic urban life whereby everything goes at its own rhythm, especially for those who are working here.
Close to the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon has a beautiful cityscape with cobbled streets and earthenware-tile facings.
Generalities
Get an overview of living in Lisbon with general information to discover the destination.
Discover Lisbon
Welcome to Lisbon, one of the hippest capitals in Europe and a place that has been making ...
How to make new friends in Lisbon
It isn't easy to move to another country, be it alone or as a couple. Although no one makes ...
How to adjust to the local culture in Lisbon
So, you are finally in Lisbon! You have a flat, a job, and your life is moving forward quickly. ...
Work
Dive into the Lisbon labour market, legal framework and tips on how to find a job in Lisbon.
Working in Lisbon
Lisbon is Portugal's capital and also the largest city in the country. Furthermore, it is ...
The labor market in Lisbon
A thriving destination for tourists and expats alike, Lisbon's labor market is the best it has ...
Jobs in Lisbon
Discover professional opportunities in Lisbon and boost your career.
Accommodation
Explore real estate or temporary rentals in Lisbon. Find out more about renting or buying a house or a flat, real estate agents, leases and rental agreements.
Accommodation in Lisbon
With a thriving expat community, a rising yet still manageable cost of living (for Western ...
Buying property in Lisbon
So, you are finally in Lisbon! You have a flat, a job and your life is moving forward quickly. ...
Find your ideal home in Lisbon
Explore real estate listings in Lisbon to buy or rent your next home.
Study
Universities, training courses, student visas, registration procedures: all you need to know about being an international student in Lisbon.
Transport
From public transports to renting or buying a car, explore the best options to getting around in Lisbon.
Transportation in Lisbon
Though not as efficient as it could be, Lisbon has a wide range of transportation options, making it convenient for new arrivals to get around the ...
Leisure
Sports, leisure, culture and other activities expats can enjoy in their spare time in Lisbon.
Leisure in Lisbon
Lisbon is one of Europe's most historic capitals, offering a wealth of history, culture, ...
Gastronomy in Lisbon
Any expat about to settle in Lisbon will have heard about the staple Portuguese delicacies: ...
Things to do in Lisbon, alone, with your partner or with friends
Lisbon is a vibrant city where you are not likely to get bored. Leisure activities are plenty, ...
Articles from the magazine
Rossella tells us about post-ERASMUS life in Portugal
“I travel, write, eat and talk too much”. Rossella has been living in Lisbon for the past four years now. The young content writer decided to remain in the country after her Erasmus experience.
Golden visa reforms to continue attracting foreign investors
The Golden Visa has not had its final say. Despite the visa controversy, several countries keep relying on it to attract foreign capital. Let's discover which countries are relaunching or reforming the program and what has changed.
Farewell to tax benefits for foreign retirees in Portugal
How far can Portugal go to attract foreign capital? After granting generous tax benefits to retired expatriates, the country, mired in a never-ending real estate crisis, is now backsliding. Let's look at how this will attract Portugal's attractivity in the eyes of expats.
Portugal's expat boom: 500 000 new arrivals in 5 years
Portugal is currently one of the most attractive destinations for expats. Great aspects of expat life in this country include the existence of multiple types of visas, relatively low cost-of-living expenses and real estate prices, an attractive tax regime, and sunny Mediterranean weather. It should be no surprise that the Ministry of Labor has revealed that the number of expats in the country reached a stunning 650,000 in April, a 364% increase in 5 years.
How will Portugal's revised law on capital gains tax affect expats?
Good news for expatriates who own property in Portugal! The Portuguese tax authorities have finally ended a practice that was widely viewed as discriminatory and will now treat residents and non-residents equally. Here's what you need to know about the new tax rules on capital gains and how they will impact you.
Rene in Estoril: "I love the freedom and of course the weather"
Rene is originally from South Africa. In April 1997, she left the country with her Portuguese husband to settle in Portugal. They now live in Estoril, in central Lisbon district...
Sarah in Algarve: "People are extremely welcoming and friendly"
British expat, Sarah moved to Algarve in February 2015 with her partner. Autism specialist, freelance writer and blogger, she now enjoys a slower pace of life than back home.
Gail at Large
My name is Gail, I was born in the Philippines but immigrated to Canada as a young child with my family. I currently live in Porto, Portugal's second-largest metropolitan area, located in the north on the Atlantic coast. Spain is an hour to the north and about two hours to the east.
