I am in a transition phase moving to Lisbon

@karenmouarkech, Welcome.

There's a geographical problem here Portugal doesn't have the Mediterranean Sea but the Atlantic Ocean with many beaches.

Do you have German citizenship? If not, you'll need a visa.

Regards

Hehe, thanks!! It feels like the warmth of the Mediterranean;)

Yes, I have gained a german passport

@JohnnyPT

Any tips on how to meet portuguese people easily in the area of Lisbon? Any suggestions for pages or networks where I could find social clubs, hiking clubs and people who like hangout for a coffee or a drink? My next step will be to register to a portuguese language course and I would still need to meet locals for the exchange!

@karenmouarkech,

Join some Meetup groups that do these kinds of activities. It's a good place to start getting to know people and places.

How to build a social circle from scratch in Portugal

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=909130

     Some meetup groups

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 30#4966994

     (Post #2)

Hello everyone,

Welcome on board Karen !

Please note that this new thread has been created on the Lisbon forum for better interaction.

All the best

Bhavna

Hi,
I miss the beach and the Mediterranean ambiente! - @karenmouarkech

What does Mediterranian ambiente mean for a place that is located at the Atlantic (not the Mediterranian)?

internatins.org is very active in Lisbon with frequent activities and opportunities to meet people.

@TGCampo

it means the social and friendly atmosphere

do you agree?

You'll be most welcome in Lisbon, the Mediterranean vibe & café-culture is everywhere, not just Lisbon.

You may want to try the city of Setubal as well, just 1 hour by train from center of Lisbon, on the coast with 3 amazing nature reserves nearby: Arrabida for mountain hiking with sea views, Troia for endless sand dunes & beaches, Sado for bird & dolphin watchig, plus hikes.

Anyone living in Setubal can also enjoy Lisbon life, as the train makes it so close.

There's a good hostel in the center of Setubal, good for a scouting trip: [link under review]

Enjoy!

P.S. What kind of job are you looking for? Do you speak basic portuguese?

@Mariza.says

Great, thanks for the tip!

I love the beach and hiking in nature so I definitely need to check Setubal.

I am environmental process engineer in wastewater treatment, water reuse and biogas. I have a wide experience in research and development to wastewater technologies and engineering. I speak fluent english, french, german and arabic. Intermediate level of spanish. I would consider learning portuguese when I move to Portugal. Probably I could find a temporary job until I find a matching job in my field.

@karenmouarkech,

There is some support here for wastewater, water reuse management companies in Lisbon and Setubal districts. Maybe it will be useful to you:

https://www.adp.pt/pt/?id=61&img=39&bl=6

https://www.simarsul.adp.pt/

https://www.smasalmada.pt/

https://www.aguasdotejoatlantico.adp.pt/

...

___

https://www.observatorios-lisboa.pt/inf … duais.html

@karenmouarkech

Congratulations on your language skills & qualifications!

You'll have no problem finding a job in your field and portuguese is similar to spanish, no worries. Salaries in Portugal are rather low to start with, but your qualificaions may get you above average, with time, you'll just have to be patient learning the language.

The water supply & treatment in Portugal is operated by the sate-owned group Aguas de Portugal:https://www.adp.pt/en/

They are like an umbrella company for all the local & regional water companies in the country.

They have a page about "Trabalhar Connosco" (Work with Us) with info on how to apply for jobs with them (in the whole group). However that page is not translated into English.

Check it here: https://www.adp.pt/pt/pessoas/trabalhar … co/?id=163

It says...

They post job vacancies (for jobs anywhere in their group) in their Linkedin page, in the websites of each regional water company, in the media, and in the related Universities.

They've also got an email for anyone wishing to send them their CV:

It says...

"If you didn't find your ideal opportunity, don't hesitate to apply spontaneusly by sending us your CV to recrutamento@adp.pt

You can contact them in English. All techies understand English.

Good luck!

@Mariza.says

Thanks for the motivation and support.

I am checking them and also looking in linkedin and net-empregos.

Yes, I believe the first phase needs a lot of patience until I find a matching job and get to B1 level.

Obrigada!

A bit more advice: If you find a suitable job in an unsuitable location, please consider it. It's easier and cheaper to rent a room or flat in a rural area and once you get your first job, it'll be easier to move to your next.

All jobs in water & treatment sector are public sector jobs, and have some perks.

Taxes are high in Portugal but there are some tax breaks for young people under 35 years old, help to buy and rent, and you may be able to benefit from a tax break named NHR now only avilable for high qualified tech jobs like yours.

Thanks for sharing ideas

well, it is not so easy as it seems but i am trying several options.

There are not so many private companies and even less international ones in the field.

I applied to research at NOVA university and hopefully benefit from the new tax incentive.

I am trying different types of companies that could be interested in my profile. Some jobs are written in Portuguese and require fluent English level. Hoping to get some responses!

@karenmouarkech,

As @Mariza said, you can apply for NHR status, since you have a high value-added activity: Code 31 - Intermediate level science and engineering technicians and professionals;

With NHR, you can have some tax advantages.

+info here:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=911492

(Post #1... #8... )

Great! I will work on that!

Thanks a lot to both of you!!

We shall meet when I come to Lisbon

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a private insurance since I would need one when living in Portugal as well as for applying for long term stay. Any recommendations on a private health company, mainly for doctors visits and any emergencies. Preferable something not fixed but flexible to cancel in case in the future I need to quit.

Many thanks,

Karen

Hi Karen,

Some help here:

Private Healthcare System in Portugal

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=914196

Dears,

I am living now in Lisbon and got my residency permit for 5 years and my NIF number!!

Since I am currently not working and looking for jobs I am wondering if I need to register officially at Financas as unemployed in order to avoid later any issues with tax declaration when I find a job? I am not sure if they might ask me later on for a proof of unemployment as I will have a gap phase until I find a job and register with a company within the financial taxing system.

Thanks,

Karen

@Karen, hi.

You don't need to do that. When you start working you'll have income to declare. If you don't work in 2025, for example, and if you don't have any income at all, you don't need to fill the IRS declaration.

But if you don't work but have other income, including income earned abroad in 2025, you'll have to fill in the IRS declaration because you're a tax resident.

Hi Johnny,

thanks a lot for the detailed explanation.

That's great help!

Have a nice evening,

Karen