The Land of The Roman Ruins at Conímbriga,

 The Batalha Monastery & National Park Serra da Estrela

Information on Relocating to Portugal

• The capital city of Portugal is Lisbon with about 1.9 million people. The political centre is also in Lisbon where the President resides. Portugal is a parliamentary democracy.

• Language: The language spoken is Portuguese. The TV programs in Portugal don't dub (channels which originate from Latin America are dubbed). There are 4 television channels. Foreign films are usually screened in their original language, with Portuguese subtitles. Satellite television is popular since it greatly increases the choice of viewing.

• Population: The population is about 10.6 million people - homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000; since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal.

• Expat areas: The resort towns of Cascais and Estoril offer pleasant surroundings and excellent leisure and shopping facilities and are therefore very popular with expatriates, especially those with families. Most of the international schools in the Lisbon area are situated within 15 km of Cascais. Other expatriates prefer to live within easy commuting distance of their workplace. This means living in Lisbon or its suburbs. Lapa and Estrela are the prime residential areas of Lisbon, although new areas are developing, e.g. around Benfica and Alvalade.

• Housing: The type of housing that is available is quite varied. Both older and modern villas may be found. In the typical Portuguese villa, garage/storage space is situated on the ground floor, with the living space on the first and second floors. A villa will normally have a minimum of two bathrooms and four/five bedrooms. Fireplaces are common but central-heating are being normal in the new properties. Costly electric-wall heaters are the norm. We have also the night/day timers and tariff with the electricity company, so this is also not so costly any longer. A Portuguese villa will have balconies, and either a small garden or patio at ground level. Apartments may be found in older converted properties or new condominiums. Apartments with more than four bedrooms are rare, unless duplexes. Two bathrooms is the norm. Once again, fireplaces are common but central-heating is usually installed in luxury blocks. Lifts are normal in blocks of 2-stories or higher. Fitted cupboards and fitted kitchens are installed in modern apartments. Balcony space is usual. Luxury blocks may have a communal garden and swimming pool. High-quality condominiums are serviced and the most exclusive have 24-hour security guards. Most apartments have garage space. Properties may be available to rent with or without furniture. The rental price does not vary between unfurnished and furnished accommodation.

• Cost of housing: Varies from area to area and the size of the house or apartment you'll pay anything from Euro 650 - Euro 3000 and higher for an apartment houses anywhere from Euro 2000 - Euro 6000 and higher. Long term rental will be much more difficult then short term. The local currency is EURO.

• Schools: We have the American, the British school, and the German school. There are also a number of private, Portuguese schools. Expatriate parents generally choose to send their children to one of the private, international schools in Portugal. These schools offer a curriculum with that of the mother country. The international schools are very full and most have waiting-lists for places. Enrolments for the new school year should be made by the end of May at the latest. Should you opt to send your child(ren) to a Portuguese state school, you will need to obtain official permission to do so from the Ministry of Education.

• Transportation: There is a great public transportation system: Plains, trains, trams, busses, and taxi's. Due to the fact that Portugal has one of the highest rates of automobile accidents and fatalities in Europe. Portuguese driving habits, high speeds, and poorly marked roads pose special hazards. In continental Portugal, fines for traffic violations are substantial and usually must be paid on the spot. Taxis are a reliable means of transportation, though travelers should pay attention to discrepancies between the meter fare and the amount requested by the driver. Buses are reliable and inexpensive.

• Banking: The banking hours are generally from Monday-Friday between 8.30 am - 3.00 pm (certain banks in Lisbon are open until 6.00 pm).

• Shopping: Generally Monday-Friday 9.00 am – 7.00 pm, Sat 9.00 am -1.00 pm. Shopping centers are usually open Monday-Sunday 10.00 am – midnight.

• Climate: The climate of Portugal, as everywhere, is influenced by its geographical location. Being on the west coast of the Iberian peninsular it is affected by the land mass while at the same time being a coastal country, the weather is also influenced by the sea. In summer, when the Azores high is established, there are hot sunny days with the coastal areas kept cool by the Portuguese trade winds (the Nortada) which blows strongly every afternoon. The interior, away from the sea, can get very hot in summer. The Algarve coast is sheltered from the north wind and has the higher summer temperatures favored by the holiday makers who want to lie on the beach. Winters are mild in Portugal being south of most of the other Mediterranean countries. The north has a mixture of rain and sunny days not unlike an English summer. Central areas have gentle dry summers and short mild winters whilst winter in the Algarve is usually dry and warmer than in the north.

• Culture: Portuguese culture is based on a past that dates from prehistoric times into the eras of Roman and Moorish invasion. All have left their traces in a rich legacy of archaeological remains, including prehistoric cave paintings at Escoral, the Roman township of Conimbriga, the Temple of Diana in Évora and the typical Moorish architecture of such southern towns as Olhão and Tavira. Throughout the centuries, Portugal's arts have been enriched by foreign influences, including Flemish, French and Italian. The voyages of the Portuguese discoverers opened the country to Oriental influences and the revelation of Brazil's wealth of gold and jewels fed the Baroque flame in decoration. Portugal also abounds with romarias (religious pilgrimages), festas (festivals) and feiras (fairs) which bring whole towns to a standstill. At the core of many are religious processions. The further north you go, the more traditional and less touristic these celebrations get. Carnival is one of the biggest events, featuring partying, parading, and painted faces about six weeks before Easter. There are vast and colorful processions during Braga's (Easter or Holy Week Festival). Then there are the galleries, concerts, theatre, cinema, etc.

• Public holidays: January 1st-New Year’s Day; March 4th-Mardi Gras (Carnival); Good Friday-(date varies); April 25th-Freedom Day; May 1st-Labor Day; June 10th-Portugal Day, May-June –(date varies) Corpus Christi, August 15th-Assumption; October 5th-Republic Day; November 1st-All Saints’ Day; December 1st-Restoration of Independence Day; December 8th-Immaculate Conception; December 25th-Christmas Day.