Hi friends, we hope you are all well. We want to take this time to thank you for being a subscriber. It is lonely sometimes being so far away from our family and friends, and this is a small way we find to keep the connection. We love it when you comment on the posts! :-)

Today, we wanted to share some resources that might be helpful for those of you considering moving to Portugal. Moving abroad is a big task, no matter which country you choose, so hopefully, these resources will get the wheels turning and your checklist active.

The biggest resource we currently recommend is a Facebook group. Yes, I know—ugh, Facebook. I’m using it less and less, but it still proves to be an excellent communication tool and resource for us. Even if you aren’t on Facebook, if you’re considering moving to Portugal, I suggest creating an account to join this group. When we were going through the visa process, we were told by the Portuguese embassy office that this group sometimes shares more accurate information than they do. Things can move slowly in Portugal, but in this group, you have people worldwide sharing their experiences in real time. The group is called Americans and FriendsPT, run by four dedicated individuals who have spent years compiling a massive file section with updated information on everything you might need to know. With 49K members, it’s an invaluable resource. I recommend making this your primary source rather than relying on official Portuguese government sites.

Next, I want to share a newsletter written by a woman and her partner who moved here years ago. The newsletter is easy to read and understand, covering their experiences and travels around Europe. We find it not only helpful but also entertaining. I wish we had discovered it before moving here; it’s another great resource that many expats enjoy.

Another valuable resource revolves around learning the language. This was one of the top questions asked in the Facebook group when we were moving. Everyone learns differently and has varying levels of desire to learn. We live in the Algarve region, where almost everyone speaks English, which diminished our initial incentive to learn the language. However, both Mike and I feel it’s important to show respect for the country we live in by learning Portuguese. We’ve tried several platforms, and I’ll rate them for you. Our favorite is Practice Portuguese. At the time of writing, they were offering a 15% discount with a specific link (please let me know if it’s no longer active). It’s a fantastic web-based program and app that allows you to start learning from anywhere. Mike is really engaged with this program and studies much more diligently than I do. The locals love it when he speaks small sentences to them. While most people in the Algarve do speak English, they truly appreciate any effort we make to speak their language, and they’re very supportive of it.

Another program I like is called Portuguese with Anita. You can check her out on Instagram to get an idea of her teaching style before committing to her program. Lastly, if you’re just looking to pick up some vocabulary, Drops is a great app. Be cautious with language apps, as many teach Brazilian Portuguese, which isn’t what you want if you’re aiming for European Portuguese. Drops is enjoyable and doesn’t require a significant time commitment to see progress; you can use it in the car while waiting for coffee, or when you’re lying in bed pondering your move to Portugal. It’s a small financial investment and a fun, effective way to learn.Last but probably one of the most important things to understand is healthcare. Mike and I have private healthcare; we pay 5900 euros a year for both of us. The insurance is an excellent private insurance and maybe on the higher end but to us it is worth it. Here is an excellent article that talks about Portugal in general but highlights some great information on healthcare in Portugal.

If you’re considering a move to Portugal, I hope you find these resources helpful. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. We may not have all the answers, but we’ll do our best to guide you to the right sources!