10 Things to Know Before Moving to Lisbon

10 Things to Know Before Moving to Lisbon

So you’re moving to Lisbon, are you? Well before you do, there are a few things that I’d like to share that I wish someone would have told me before I did the same! Lisbon is a fantastic city to dwell in, but a big move like this doesn’t come without some level of culture shock and nuanced shifts in daily activities. 

Here are 10 things to know before moving to Lisbon:

1. You’re Going to Have to Make an Effort with the Language 

If you want to be welcomed into your new abode and taken seriously as a “local”, then you’re going to have to start working on your Portuguese from day one.

Lisbon – by Holger Uwe Schmitt – Wikimedia Commons

Most Lisbon locals speak English, but there is a certain level of trust and familiarity that they will show toward you once they see that you are making an effort to speak the local tongue. 

Learn Portuguese in Lisbon

2. Get an International License Before You Arrive

So long as you possess a valid driver’s license from any country in the world, you’re allowed to drive in Portugal for 6 months from your date of arrival, before you’ll need to start the process of getting a local license. 

You’re international license is valid so long as you can show proof of adequate car insurance, covering any vehicle you’ll be in possession of during your stay. 

Transport in Lisbon: What You Need to Know

3. Get Familiar with the Food

This is an important point, as a lot of people underestimate how they’re going to feel about the cuisine in their new city/country. Portuguese food is very different to a lot of cuisines in the Iberian region; there are distinct flavors that are uncommon in other cuisines, so it’s highly likely you’ll be tasting a lot of things for the very first time. 

Lisbon – by Sharon Hahn Darlin – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Weird Things Portuguese People Eat

4. Find a Place Long in Advance

One thing to note about Lisbon, is that while there are thousands of properties to buy at any given time, there are very few available for rent. This is due to local tendency to buy instead of lease, because Portugal makes it very easy for its citizens to own homes.

Keep your options open and start talks over properties as far in advance as you can. Something will come up, it may just take some time!

Top 5 Best Areas to Stay in Lisbon

5. Consider Working Remotely 

Another important thing to note about Lisbon is that local salaries aren’t as high as other places in Europe, and the rest of the world. Minimum wage isn’t all that high in Portugal, so if you are coming from a fair paying job, you may not be satisfied with what you’ll be paid here as a local. 

If you can keep your existing work by switching to a remote setup, then that would be a great idea. That said, cost of living remains very low in Lisbon, so the lesser wages may not even feel like such once you’re settled. 

Lisbon – by erikccooper – Wikimedia Commons

6. It’s Colder Indoors than it is Outdoors, in the Winter Season

Wrap your head around that one for a second. The first time someone tried to alert me to this I though they must be smoking something. Turns out, they were totally spot on and this weird phenomenon occurs due to the fact that Portuguese architecture was designed to keep inhabitants cool in the summer… no thought was given to the winter. 

Central heating is largely unheard of, particularly in the more historic properties. You’ll need to invest in heating systems once you move in; the winters in Portugal may be mild compared to the rest of Europe, but they are brutal. 

Weather in Lisbon: What to Expect by Season

7. Forget About High Heels

Okay, maybe not the occasional pair for a dinner where you arrive and leave in an Uber, but for all other occasions, these are not an option. 

Lisbon – by Harvey Barrison – Wikimedia Commons

Lisbon is a walking city; public transport is available when necessary, but for the most part its likely you will stick to your immediate neighborhood for all errands, entertainment and socializing. This means rarely taking transport, and mostly walking on foot. Due to the hills and cobblestones that flood the city center, your heels are of very little value here!

How to Dress in Lisbon

8. Not Everything is Easy in Portugal

For such an efficient and self-acclaimed government, things don’t always trickle down in the same way to other departments. Doing simple things, like opening a bank account for example, is a tedious process requiring multiple signed agreements and admin. 

Let’s not even get started on the tax system… stay out of it for as long as you can, seriously!

Cost of Living in Lisbon: Everything You Need to Know

9. Embrace Groups, Communities and Meet-Ups

These will make a world of a difference when you’re trying to settle into your new land. Group activities such as art classes, book clubs, dinner clubs etc, attract many international folk just like yourself who are looking to make a home in Lisbon. 

Lisbon – by Holger Uwe Schmitt – Wikimedia Commons

A great platform to use to find different kinds of meet-ups would be Couchsurfing, as they have weekly options throughout the city center. It really helps to get advice and encouragement from others who have done exactly what you’re doing. 

Where to Meet Expats in Lisbon

10. Lisbon is a Wonderful Place to Live

Seriously. And I don’t say things like that lightly. As far as city-immersed-in-nature living goes, Lisbon is up there with the likes of Cape Town, Atlanta and Los Angeles. 

It’s high energy when you need it to be, peaceful zen when you need that instead, and all around just a good, wholesome place to live. The climate is a dream, especially compared to the countries that lie just a few kilometers north and east. It’s small enough that you never feel genuinely alone; you also get great mileage on your vehicle, and can be just about anywhere in under 20/30 minutes. 

Best of luck with your new venture — you chose well! 

Lisbon – by Holger Uwe Schmitt – Wikimedia Commons