Last Updated on May 24, 2023 by Maryam Siddiqui
Living in Portugal is, as thousands of expats can confirm, a very satisfactory decision. No, it’s wonderful! However, not all that glitters is gold. There are indeed a few challenges of being an expat in Portugal that people never tell you about. And not everyone is fit to live abroad.
It takes courage, but also resilience and versatility. You will have to adapt to a new country in order to live well, and not everyone can do that smoothly.
Let’s get candid and talk about the things no one ever talks about! We’ll highlight the challenges of being an expat in Portugal and how you can overcome those challenges to make this new journey one that you won’t ever regret. Keep reading to learn what almost every expat goes through!
Is relocating to Portugal hard?
To be honest, relocating anywhere in the world is a great task. It’s challenging and requires a lot of planning, time, effort, and resources. So, whether you’re relocating from the UK or from Germany, or anywhere else for that matter, you’ll always face a certain degree of challenges.
However, once you’ve decided this is what you want from your life, it’s easier to navigate your mindset. The first step is having the determination that you’re going to make it out of this. Whether it’s the most difficult thing you’ve done so far, you’re doing it to make your life better.
Among other things, feeling homesick can really make it worse for some people. Thankfully, there’s a workaround for everything, and challenges don’t last forever.
If you’re wondering what kind of challenges you’re likely to face, keep reading!
What are the greatest challenges of being an expat in Portugal?
The biggest challenge to overcome is to embrace change. Change and uncertainty can come up in different ways and make humans feel unsafe in new surroundings. And we don’t mean physically unsafe; it’s just about not knowing what is to come next.
It’s time to take things one step at a time.
You can do two things to ease into these challenges. Number 1, research what they are and talk to expats about how they dealt with these challenges. Number 2, accept that there’s a need to look at things positively.
So how can you be better prepared? Let’s start from the basic. Here are the top 5 challenges you’ll face as an expat.
1. You will miss your homeland
Whether it is an acid joke of fate or not, when we move to the country of Saudade, we cannot escape it. For those who don’t know it, Saudade is the Portuguese word for the nostalgic feeling of sadness of missing a place or person. And much of the Portuguese culture revolves around this feeling.
There’s simply no way around it. Once you’ve lived in Portugal for long enough, and the honeymoon phase fades, the real marriage begins. You start to see Portugal as it really is, with flaws and all. Then you start comparing it with your homeland, and for some reason, you miss it!
Of course, you’ll probably still love Portugal, but I’m sure your homeland has a special place in your heart. And it will always have that place.
One of the greatest challenges of being an expat in Portugal is dealing with that feeling of wanting to be somewhere else. But even if you do leave and visit your homeland for a while, something strange will happen: you will miss Portugal too!
Get ready because your heart will be divided. Who knows, perhaps because you lived in Portugal, you will learn to deal with Saudade. I’m still learning after 5 years.
The bittersweet symphony of being an expat in Portugal is an ongoing journey of emotions. As time goes by, the sense of Saudade becomes intertwined with your daily life. It’s a constant reminder of the cherished memories and experiences you’ve had in your homeland and the newfound love and appreciation you’ve developed for Portugal.
In this intricate dance between two worlds, you gradually discover the beauty of diversity. It becomes a reminder of your capacity to appreciate diverse cultures and a testament to the strength of the human spirit in adapting to new surroundings.
2. Learning Portuguese can be quite difficult
Have you ever tried to learn Spanish? If so, then you’re in luck. It’s close enough. Most native English speakers don’t usually have much contact with the Portuguese language until they visit Portugal, Brazil, or others.
This Latin-rooted language that sounds like Spanish, Russian, and French is actually very different from anything you’ve ever heard. Likewise, learning to read, write, and speak in Portuguese can indeed take years.
Of course, you can surround yourself with other foreigners in Portugal and never speak a word of Portuguese yourself. But is your experience in Portugal truly meaningful?
How can one live in a country and choose to ignore the local culture? Doesn’t sound right.
Still, learning Portuguese is one of the greatest challenges of being an expat in Portugal. It takes a lot of training and studying, but it sure pays off when you’re able to join conversations with the locals. Their eyes enlighten to see you try!
Yes, it requires dedication, perseverance, and countless hours of study. However, every step you take towards fluency is a step towards breaking down barriers and bridging the gap between yourself and the locals.
The magic lies in the sparkle that lights up in the eyes of the Portuguese when they witness your sincere efforts to communicate in their native tongue. Their warmth and appreciation amplify as they realize your commitment to understanding their culture and way of life.
So, embrace the challenge. As your language skills grow, so will your connection to this enchanting land, creating memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
3. Everything is different here – and that can be negative
I’m sure you decided to move to Portugal exactly because it is such a different country. After all, Portugal is a wonderful country, and it’s very easy to fall in love with it. But living in a different culture can prove to be tricky.
Not to mention having to understand how bureaucracy works, the meals, social dilemmas, traffic rules, and so on. This is where you should start embracing change and uncertainty.
It’s true that adjusting to a new culture, customs, and way of life can feel overwhelming at times. The intricacies of bureaucracy, unfamiliar mealtime traditions, and even navigating the roads can test your patience and adaptability.
And being the odd one out can feel exhausting. Sometimes it’s like you need to re-learn life. Thankfully, you are not alone; in fact, thousands of foreigners live in Portugal. The expat community keeps growing year after year. And you can reach out to them at any point of your relocation journey.
What makes you different is also what makes you interesting, and the Portuguese love to talk to foreigners. You have to learn to deal with feeling out of place until you feel at home. And that will probably be sooner than you think.
In time, as you navigate the challenges and embrace the differences, you will gradually feel more at home in this beautiful land.
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4. You’ll have to create a new social circle
Making new friends can be hard for some people. Adult life comes to all of us, and suddenly we have difficulty engaging in new relationships with strangers. Especially if you are an introvert, you may struggle to create your social circle from scratch.
Do not fash; you are not the only fish out of the water around here. There are many expatriates living in Portugal, facing the same type of challenges that you are. And we are social animals; we need to be a part of a group and talk to people to feel good.
Try joining social groups on Facebook around your area. It’s a fantastic way to meet other like-minded expats and make new friends. Maybe joining a Yoga class, Portuguese lessons, or even a gym membership in order to meet new people is a good idea.
And never underestimate the Portuguese habit of saying Bom Dia to your neighbor. The Portuguese are, in general, friendly and welcoming people. You never know when you can meet your next local best friend.
5. Your family may struggle to adapt
Sure, struggling to adapt is hard. But it’s nothing compared to the pain of seeing your family feel helpless. Each of us reacts differently to life’s events, and some people may take change harder than others. Some people don’t like to change anything at all.
So seeing your partner homesick is harder. Even worse is to see your children hurt. Especially when children are younger, they can have a hard time being away from their grandparents and old friends from school.
They, too, will have their own challenges of being an expat in Portugal. Going to a new school in Portugal will be strange enough, then learning the language, culture, and making new friends… It’s a whole list of adaptations to be taken care of.
This is the moment where you need to take a deep breath and remind yourself that these challenges are a part of your relocation journey.
Engage in open and honest conversations with your family, allowing each member to express their feelings and concerns. Celebrate small victories and milestones as they gradually acclimate to their new surroundings.
Additionally, seek out resources and support networks tailored to expat families. Connect with other families who have embarked on similar journeys, offering empathy, advice, and a sense of belonging.
Remember that even if you’re relocating alone, there will always be a fellow expat that would love to be by your side.
Fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for yourself and your family can help all of you find a place in this new chapter of life, creating lasting memories and forging a sense of belonging in Portugal.
- In fact, you might like to read the article: Expat Family In Portugal: How To Make Adaptation Easier For Everyone.
Can you overcome these challenges?
Portugal is a beautiful country to live in, but unfortunately, not everyone can adapt to life as an expatriate. Neither to the Portuguese way of life.
It takes courage to live well abroad, and also open-mindedness. But if you are comfortable with change and willing to live an adventure, why not?
Being an expat in Portugal is a life-changing experience, one that you should not take for granted.
Sure, there are challenges of being an expat in Portugal. But there are many more rewards!
You get to live in one of the safest countries in the world, with friendly people, sunny days, fresh air, stunning natural surroundings, and a low cost of living.
Portugal is so popular now, and we should enjoy the privilege of being here. Better yet, we should appreciate how imperfectly perfect our expat journey is.
If you feel like facing these challenges in order to live your best life in Portugal, welcome to the club! It’s going to be a great ride, so hold tight to your loved ones.
Also, consider joining our online community on the Facebook Group – All About Portugal For Expats. There, you get to meet other people who are moving or living in Portugal, ready to share the most authentic experiences.
And don’t forget, if you need any help at any stage of your relocation process to Portugal, contact Viv Europe. Our team of professionals is always ready to make your Portugal plan a reality!
