The Portuguese Language & Integration

expat network

The Portuguese Language & Integration

The Portuguese language is the sixth-most widely spoken in the world, with some 230 million people using it as their native tongue (190 million in its former colony Brazil). It is the official language of eight countries on four continents and is the third most spoken European language after English and Spanish.

It is not the easiest of languages to master, but even the most rudimentary grasp of it is appreciated and acknowledged by native speakers. A grounding in Spanish, Italian or French will help to decipher the written word, but the spoken word bears little relation to fellow ‘neo-Latin’ languages. Although there are similarities between Spanish and Portuguese, they are fundamentally different languages.

English is widely spoken in Lisbon, Porto and throughout the Algarve and other tourist hotspots, but it is likely to be met by blank looks in the rural Alentejo and the mountain communities in the north. It is perfectly possible however to live in contented retirement in many parts of the country without knowing much more than obrigado (thank you) – it’s simply that having more than a smattering of common words and expressions will lead to a more rewarding immersion in the country and its culture.

In many Portuguese communities, there are schools or organisations that offer free or low-cost Portuguese language classes, from beginners to more advanced speakers. The local tourism office, school or library will usually have details of these. Most courses are held in the evenings and as well as helping new arrivals get to grips with the basics of the Portuguese language, they are a great way of meeting fellow expats.

In expat communities throughout the world there are those who find comfort and reassurance in sticking ‘with their own’. Some will rarely venture beyond the perimeter of a gated development. Others will seek out a more rounded and holistic life, living among locals and limiting the level of exposure to other countrymen.

Throughout the world, wherever expats have settled, their clubs and societies have inevitably followed. Familiar accents can be heard in bars, restaurants and golf clubs throughout the region. There are upwards of 40,000 British residents who have made their permanent home in Portugal, and the majority of them are in the Algarve. The wealthier have chosen to live in luxurious enclaves like the Quinta do Lago estate near Faro.

English language newspapers can be found in print and online, led by The Portugal News (theportugalnews.com) – the country’s largest circulation title aimed at expats and tourists established 40 years ago, The Algarve Resident (algarveresident.com) – and the online-only expatsportugal.com and portugalresident.com, both of which feature lifestyle magazines.

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.