Moving to Portugal From the US : Updated Advice for 2026
2 min read
Education
The education system in Portugal is both excellent and affordable. The country offers free education for its residents and citizens up to the age of 18. If you live in or around Lisbon, you can easily find an international school with a global, American, or British curriculum.
Some of the most popular ones are:
- TASIS Portugal
- United Lisbon International School
- International Preparatory School
- British School Lisbon
Annual private school fees in Portugal vary between $ 9,700 to $16,600, depending on the school and curriculum. Check out our comprehensive guide for more information on Portugal’s International Schools.
Climate in Portugal
The warm sun and cool ocean breezes are what you have to look for when moving to Portugal from USA. Portugal is probably on your list thanks to its Mediterranean weather.
There is rarely any snow in Portugal. Throughout the whole year, the weather is rather warm. Even the winter is usually more chilly than really cold. Of course, if you venture further north, you might find some slightly colder winters.
Portuguese Culture
Moving to Portugal from the US often stands out with its vibrant lifestyle. People love being together, creating a strong sense of community. They love spending time with their families and friends whether it is an ordinary meeting or a special occasion. Thus, we can say that they will welcome you friendly when you start to live in Portugal.
Along with this rich culture, English is widely spoken in Portugal. This allows you to integrate yourself into everyday life. Of course, learning a basic level of Portuguese will make things easier for you, especially if you prefer living in rural areas.
Internet and Telecommunications
The internet and telecommunication have become inseparable parts of our lives. It gains more importance if you are considering moving to another country while your whole life connections are in another.
In Portugal ANACOM regulates telecommunication service and aims to improve its digital services with improvements. Besides, Portugal ranks 26 in the worldwide internet speed test. Here are the some of the providers and their speed:
|
Internet Provider |
Download (Mb/s) |
Upload (Mb/s) |
|
Vodafone |
177,8 |
92,1 |
|
MEO |
139,0 |
84,2 |
|
NOS |
129,4 |
55,9 |
Learning Portuguese
Language is the key for human connection. Therefore, it matters a lot to survive in this world, especially when you are new in a country. Although there are many English speaking people in Portugal, learning Portuguese can put you in a more comfy place and even open the doors for citizenship after five year residency.
To do that, you can enroll in a Portuguese language course and learn the everyday language. Similarly, you can opt for using language learning apps or watch movies or tv shows. To engage with the locals or expats like you, you can even join speaking clubs.
