The choice of Portugal
I moved to Portugal with my family in September 2017. This choice was made very naturally for several reasons. On the one hand, we are a “mixed” couple: my husband was born in Lisbon and his family is still settled there. On the other hand, we had lived in another Portuguese-speaking country and it seemed more logical to settle in Portugal after this experience, rather than returning to France.
Daily life in Lisbon
I discovered Portugal in 2010. My husband and I used to come every year on holiday, which we spent between the Algarve and Lisbon. Even though I had some points of reference when we settled down, we had to recreate our bearings and our daily life. Many associations, such as Lisbon Accueil, allow French people to help each other. The small newspaper or Essencial-Portugal are also good sources of information. And finally, the French embassy provides contact lists, which is very useful for its first year of installation.
In terms of daily life and routine, our life is not so different from our French life: school, work and going out with friends. However, what changes a lot, especially for a Parisian like me, is the proximity to the sea. I really feel disconnected at the weekend. In 30 minutes by car, you can be on the beautiful beaches of the Costa da Caparica, for example. And from Lisbon, all the cities in Portugal can be reached in less than 3 hours. What luck, there is so much to discover in this country!
Cultural differences
The Portuguese are very welcoming and generous. It is very easy to start a conversation in the street or in a café. On the whole, as French people, we still have a fairly good reputation, despite our recent arrival in large numbers.
Even though the cultures of the two countries are quite similar, there are obviously cultural differences. It’s up to us to understand them and to adapt! For example, the notion of time is something that surprised me at the beginning. Unlike the French, the Portuguese are rarely in a hurry, so we have to adapt. Or anticipate that projects will not be completed in the time we had planned and allow for extra leeway. Secondly, it seems to me that the Portuguese found it difficult to say “no” clearly. When we hear “maybe”, it is often a polite way of saying no. Again, it is up to us to adapt and understand the refusal, while remaining courteous ourselves. In my opinion, these cultural differences make relationships between people softer.
Setting up a business
I’ve always wanted to start my own business. Moving to Portugal was the right opportunity to get started. There again, many organizations support the French like entreprendre.pt and the CCIFP in Lisbon and Porto. To create your own business, I advise you to get the help of a lawyer or an accountant, especially if you don’t master the language. Then, the administrative procedures are quite simple. My activity consists in selling customizable furniture thanks to a 3D configurator on the kulile.fr website. The furniture is made to order in a factory in Porto.
My advice to settle down in Portugal
Moving and living in a country that is not one’s own takes time: time to find one’s new bearings, to recreate a circle of friends and to understand the culture of the country in which one lives. I have often heard that it takes at least 2 to 3 years before you really feel at home. That’s why I strongly advise you to contact all existing organizations to simplify your life and benefit from the experiences of other French people. And of course, to learn to speak Portuguese for a better integration!
