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5 Best International Schools in Portugal

Lara Silva
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5 Best International Schools in Portugal

With over 1 million immigrants living in Portugal, it is no surprise that Portugal is home to several high-quality international schools. From French, German, American, and British schools, finding an international school for your child comes with endless options. However, international schools are a lot more expensive than Portuguese private schools. Private international schools tend to cost anywhere between around €7,000 to almost €20,000 a year, depending on the school and your child’s grade. Portuguese private schools tend to cost anywhere between €400 and €500 per month, while public schools are completely free. If an international environment is best suitable for your child, we have selected the 5 best international schools in Portugal.

1. Deutsche Schule Lissabon – German School

Deutsche Schule Lissabon, also known as the German School is a private Portuguese and German-speaking school, one of the best schools in the country. Founded in 1848, the school is the second oldest German school in a foreign country. The school is divided into three parts, a Kindergarten and a Primary School in Lisbon and Estoril, as well as a secondary school in Telheiras, Lisbon. The school has a little over 1,000 students and a staff of 145 teachers and educators. Made up of 8 buildings, the primary school and social sciences have their own buildings. The school also has a library with around 12,000 books, 2 IT rooms, an auditorium, as well as a pool and terrace.

Around 80% of students are Portuguese and 20% are German. Learning both German and Portuguese is mandatory, but all students learn English starting in the third grade and French starting in the seventh grade. Students learn at least four languages throughout their school life at the German school.

The school is partially funded by the German Federal Republic, as well as by the tuition charged to parents.

German School Yearly Tuition Fees

The pre-enrolment fee costs €300 which will be refunded if the student is not admitted and the enrolment fee costs €550. Siblings of students get a discounted fee: 10% for the second child, 25% for the third child, 40% for the fourth child, and so on. The oldest child gets the largest discount, and the youngest does not get any. The yearly fees for the Kindergarten and Primary Education in Lisbon and Estoril include morning and afternoon snacks. The German School is one of the most affordable international schools in Portugal.

2. St Julian’s School

Established in 1932, St Julian’s is the largest British International School in Portugal with a strong record of academic achievements, serving the Portuguese and international community containing around 45 different nationalities. Located in Carcavelos, St Julian’s provides an international curriculum for students aged between 3 and 16 years old, based on the English National Curriculum. For those 17 and 18 years old, the school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB), a prestigious diploma. Along with an international curriculum, the school has a Portuguese section where children between the ages of 6 and 15 can access the Portuguese national curriculum, while still having some joint classes with international students, such as Art.

The school boasts incredible facilities such as an 18th-century palace housing the art and music department and the dining hall, as well as an assembly place, and a building opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1985 that houses the primary school. Along with other facilities, St Julian has some of the best school sports facilities in the country. These include outdoor tennis courts, volleyball and basketball courts, football and rugby pitches, a fitness room, as well as an indoor gymnasium.

St Julian’s School Yearly Tuition Fees

A one-time payment is made when a student enrolls at St. Julian’s which is non-refundable of €5,000. A registration fee for admission is also made when parents submit an application form to the Admissions Office of €1,000 which is also non-refundable. School lunch prices vary by age, but for a Year 13 student, this costs €896 a year. The school provides a sibling discount, where the third child gets a 15% discount and the subsequent siblings get a 25% discount. The oldest child is considered the first child to be enrolled and all children must be enrolled at the same time.

3. Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL)

Anthony McKenna founded a small American school in 1956 with only 9 students in an apartment in Pedrouços. With a passion for education, he planted the seed which would grow into the Carlucci American International School of Lisbon with over 700 students of 57 different nationalities. The curriculum includes an American collegial preparatory leading to the American High School Diploma with the option of pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) in the last two years of high school. Students who opt for the IB Diploma will also graduate with an American High School Diploma.

CAISL’s staff includes 98 full-time faculty members from all over the world, 69% of them being native English speakers. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 724 students represented 57 nationalities. 115 were American, 42 came from English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, and 185 were Portuguese. Over 30% had more than one nationality.

CAISL boasts high-quality facilities with a library media center with over 40,000 print items, fully equipped science laboratory classrooms, art, and music classrooms, a state-of-the-art 450-seat theater, cafeteria, and snack bar, 1400m2 covered gymnasium, as well as more than 10,000m2 of outdoor sports fields. There are computers in all classrooms, with 1 computer per student in grades 1 to 5 in the classroom, and one private laptop checked out for each student in grades 6 through 12.

CAISL is governed by the not-for-profit Fundação Escola Americana de Lisboa (FEAL).

CAISL School Yearly Tuition Fees

The registration fee is a one-time non-refundable payment of €500. A building fee is also mandatory and must be paid for the first five years a student is enrolled from Grades 1 to 12, used to support the school’s building expenses, costing €1,953 a year. The yearly fees do not include lunch, transportation, and after-school child care and activities. For EC3 to EC5, school lunches cost €736 a year and for grades 1 to 12, they cost €988 a year.

There are multiple discounts available for 2022-23. A 5% discount on tuition is provided if tuition is paid in full on or before June 15, 2022. A 5% discount on the building fee will also be provided for those who pay it in full on or before June 15, 2022, together with yearly tuition. Sibling discounts are also available, including a 15% discount on the tuition and building fee for a third child enrolled concurrently and a 25% discount on both for a fourth child (and any subsequent children) enrolled concurrently at CAISL. The sibling discounts are applied to the youngest children.

CAISL also offers financial assistance to some, having a small number of fee reductions granted annually for tuition. There must be evidence of financial need and the students must have been at CAISL for at least one year and must have positive academic and behavioral records.

4. Oporto British School

Founded in 1894, Oporto British School boasts a large Portuguese and international community, with the latter making up 48% of the school population of 540 students. The only International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) school in Northern Portugal, the school adopted the sixth form curriculum almost 30 years ago. Located in Foz do Douro, the school has around 600 students.

Oporto British School follows the British curriculum until the completion of the IGCSE, and then senior students follow the IB Diploma. Throughout their school life, students get to learn English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, and Mandarin. The average number of students per class is around 15, with 20 students being the maximum.

The sports facilities at the school are high-quality, including a sports hall with changing rooms and showers, an outdoor basketball court, a large grass area, and a football pitch. The school is divided into three houses: Braganca, Lancaster, and Windsor, representing the royal dynasties that have tied Portugal and British. The houses allow kids to have a sense of belonging and they are led by a Head of House, who coordinates the activities of tutors.

Oporto British School Yearly Tuition Fees

A non-refundable fee registration fee costs €150 and this fee does not guarantee a place. An acceptance fee that must be paid within two weeks of a student receiving an offer costs €450. Parents must also pay a refundable deposit equal to a one-term fee that is payable before admission. This fee varies and will be returned when the student leaves, provided a one term’s notice is given in writing or if the student graduates.

A capital and maintenance charge is also paid every year at the beginning of each academic year which costs €500. Insurance is charged annually at €40 for injuries. Examination fees are also charged for IGCSE and IBDP. School lunches are priced at €4.60 per meal in Primary and €5.70 per meal in Secondary, to be paid monthly.

Parents with more than two children in the school get a discount of 25% for the third child and a 50% discount for the fourth child. A 50% discount applies to any additional children.

5. King’s College School Cascais

Located in Cascais, King’s College School opens in September 2022 and is already making waves as an international school to look out for. Although it is the first of its kind in Portugal, King’s College has a 50-year history of delivering premium education internationally. Students will enjoy a curriculum based on the renowned Cambridge International Primary and Secondary curriculum, offering IGCSEs, and the IB Diploma for the older pupils. The school also offers a bilingual program up to Year 7, to ensure that students know Portuguese and English fluently.

An existing campus in Cascais will welcome students from the age of 1 to 13, expanding in 2023-24 to nearly 40,000 m2. The new campus will have the highest quality modern spaces, including sports facilities for student-athletes and a Boarding House for up to 50 students from 13 to 18 years old. The facilities include two gymnasiums, football, and rugby pitches, tennis and padel courts, a swimming pool, as well as performing arts rooms. There will also be science labs, a large hall, an auditorium, and many green spaces.

Run by Inspired, one of the world’s largest and most innovative education groups with over 70 premium schools on 5 continents, the group has provided education to over 55,000 students globally. They run a holistic curriculum focused on three pillars: Academics, Sport, and Creative & Performing Acts to ensure students become well-rounded individuals. Over 90% of Inspired students go on to attend their first-choice university.

King’s College School Yearly Tuition Fees

Founding students, enrolling in September of 2022, will benefit from a 25% discount on the 2022-23 yearly tuition fees. There is a one-time matriculation payment when enrolling a student of €2,000 for students in Early Years 1 to Year 7 and €5,000 for students in Year 8 and above. The application process also has a cost of €500. Uniform and extracurricular activities are not included in the yearly fee.

6 Best Clubs in Lisbon

Lara Silva
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6 Best Clubs in Lisbon

Lisbon’s nightlife is one of the best in all of Europe. From bars filling the cobblestoned streets to larger clubs, the city has a lot to offer. Before we get into the best clubs in Lisbon, let’s get into the nightlife culture and what to expect. In Lisbon, and all of Portugal really, you don’t just go out to a club. You start off at a bar until around at least 1 am and then you head out to your favorite club for some dancing. If you decide to go to the club earlier, chances are it will be mostly empty. Clubs usually close anywhere between 7 and 8 am so you can literally party all night long.

But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. First, be prepared to smell like an ashtray the morning after. Although smoking cigarettes inside indoor public spaces are forbidden, this is not enforced. Lisbon clubs also oftentimes overcharge tourists. If the bouncer says that you need to spend a minimum of over €100, you are being ripped off. Entrances to clubs in Lisbon never go over €15. Lisbon clubs also allegedly have a huge problem with racism, as they often deny entrance to people of color, such as allegedly, Urban Beach.

If you’re overwhelmed by the endless nightlife options, we have selected our 6 favorite clubs – your very own guide to clubs in Lisbon, Portugal.

Book Lisbon Pub and VIP Club Crawl

1. Lux Fragil

Founded in 1991 in Santa Apolonia, Lux Fragil is one of the most exclusive clubs in Lisbon and is renowned in Europe for its selection of electronic music DJs. Although in recent years many have argued the club has lost its charm and quality, Lux Fragil is still the best club in the Portuguese capital. Major DJs from all over Europe play in Lux every week and the club mostly plays techno, especially downstairs. Lux offers views of the Tagus river from its balcony, as well as a rooftop terrace that opens in the summer. The dress code for Lux is not formal so no need to wear heels and a dress – you’ll be the only one. However, you should try to dress nice, even if you´re wearing sneakers. Men wearing shorts will probably not be allowed in. Even then, you might still be denied entrance at the door.

2. Trumps

Founded in the 80s, Tumps is the most iconic gay club in all of Lisbon and an integral player in the capital’s queer history. Located in Principe Real, the club is mostly full on Saturday nights and plays house and dance music, as well as pop. Known for its quality drag queen nights, Trumps welcomes all and is actually quite popular with straight women. What’s more, Trumps hosts art exhibitions and cultural events showcasing queer art during the day. Internationally renowned artists have performed at Trumps including Fergie and Conchita Wurst, as well as queer Portuguese icons such as the one and only António Variações. The club has its own productions, dancers, DJs, and drag queens and has also co-hosted events around the world such as World Pride.

Photograph: Marta Ribeiro. Provided by establishment.
Photograph: Marta Ribeiro. Provided by establishment.

3. Kremlin

Founded in 1988 in Santos, Kremlin was once named the third best club in the world during the 90s. An underground space for decades, Kremlin plays electronic music and hosts world-famous artists of the techno scene. The club boasts stunning stone floors but has also elevated the space to reflect the modern times with an updated light and sound system, as well as a VIP area, three bars, and a large dance floor. At Kremlin, you can dress as you wish and are free to express yourself. However, some rules remain all over Portugal such as men not wearing shorts.

4. Ministerium

Located in Praca do Comercio, Ministerium opened in 2012 on the former headquarters of the Portuguese Minister of Finances and features vaulted ceilings for a classic architectural look. While more recent than Lux, Ministerium has been making waves in Europe as a big player in the house and electronic music scene. DJs such as Maya Janes Coles and Carl Craig have been welcome to play at Ministerium. This club has a large dance floor, a mezzanine level with views of the dance floor, a rooftop terrace, as well as a private room for events. The bouncers at this place tend to judge outfits harshly so make sure to wear something trendy – without overdoing it.

5. Lust in Rio

Located in Cais do Sodre, Lust in Rio was founded in 2017 and hosts some of the best hip hop nights in Lisbon, known as “Swag On” nights every Wednesday. Lust in Rio features two dance floors and an open-air club that is open in the summer and overlooks the Tagus river. The club also offers a VIP section that often is filled with football players and celebrities. You can get a private table with bottle service for around €250 for 8-10 people, as well as order some shisha. Lust in Rio is not as restrictive when it comes to the dress code as Lux, but the bouncers are still quite harsh as in most Lisbon clubs. There is no need to go over the top, the key is to find a stylish outfit.

6. The Docks Club

Located in Alcantara, The Docks Club is known for being one of the best clubs in Lisbon for Afrobeat and hip hop, as well as a favorite of Angolan locals. Also known as Docks, this club features six bars, three private areas, a terrace, and a larger main dancefloor surrounded by seating. The venue stands by the river and invites a trendy crowd of various ages, including 30 and 40 somethings, contrary to many other Lisbon clubs. The music tends to get louder throughout the nice, but Docks offers a stylish chillout zone on the terrace so that guests can relax in between dancing. The dress code at Docks is more elevated than in other Lisbon clubs, where many wear dresses and heels.

Guide to Lisbon

⬇️Please share your favorite clubs in Lisbon in the comments⬇️

Bank evaluation values of properties reach record high in Portugal

Lara Silva
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Bank evaluation values of properties reach record high in Portugal

According to Idealista News, the median evaluation by banks for properties has reached a new record high. In only a month, the median values have increased by €17 per m2 and by €144 per m2 in a year. In March, the median value by banks was at €1,331 per m2, a €17 (1.3%) increase since the month prior, according to data revealed by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). This growth has accompanied the increase in property prices.

The evaluation of apartments grew by 13,5% in a year, while homes grew by 7,5%. For apartments, the median evaluation was at €1,476 per m2 in March, a 13.5% increase from the year prior and a 1% increase from the month prior. The highest value compared to the year before was seen in Algarve at €1,794 per m2 and the lowest in the Alentejo at €964 per m2. Apartments with three rooms saw the largest median value increase by €17 to €1,316.

For homes, the median evaluation grew to €1,067 per m2 in March, a 7,5% increase from the year prior and a 1,9% increase from the month prior. The highest values were in the Algarve (€1,815) and the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon (€1,788), while Alentejo (€900) and the center of Portugal (€901) had the lowest values. Homes with two rooms saw the largest median value increase by €46 to €1,047 per m2.

There were 32,000 bank evaluations of properties in March of 2022, 23,5% more than in the month prior.

Whenever you apply for a mortgage in a bank, the bank will conduct an evaluation of the property you are going to buy in order to set the amount that will be loaned. While for residents, banks tend to give out loans of 80% to 90% of the value of the property, non-residents will only be offered 65% to 70% of the value of the property. Therefore, for most, it is important that bank evaluations continue to increase as house prices do so that your mortgage loan covers as much as possible of the price of the home.

International Guide to Real Estate in Portugal: Buying a House in Portugal

Bairrada Wine

Goncalo Costa
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Bairrada Wine

Bairrada is a Portuguese wine region in the province of Beira Litoral in the center region of the country. It stretches between the cities of Águeda and Coimbra until the dunes of the Atlantic coast side, being a small and narrow region on the coast. It includes the cities of Anadia, Cantanhede, Mealhada, and Oliveira do Bairro.

It borders the region of Lafões (an IPR – ‘Indicação de Proveniencia Regulamentada’, or Indication of Regulated Provenance) and Dão (DOC).

The region has the classification of DOC (‘Denominação de Origem Controlada’ or Controlled Origin Denomination), the highest wine classification in Portugal. The certification of the different wines are made by the Wine Commission of Bairrada (CVB). It’s known for its red wines with dense colors, elevated tannins, and often bell pepper and black currant flavors, made with the local grape type ‘Baga’. The white and sparkling wines are also of high quality, due to the diversity of terrain in the region, and the rosé production is fairly new but growing.

Besides having a long history, the classification is fairly recent. The DOC for white and red wine was certified in 1979 and for sparkling wine, it was in 1991. Besides the DOC, the region also has an IG (‘Indicação Geográfica’ or Geographical Indication), the IG Beira Atlântico also known as ‘Vinho Regional’ (Regional Wine) Beira Atlântico.

This region has a fertile terrain with some hills (not like some other wine regions, so we can consider it ‘flat’), even though most vineyards are made on flat lands, and a mild, maritime climate with a lot of rainfall due to its proximity to the ocean.

It’s here that around 2/3 of the national sparkling wine production takes place, with the city of Anadia being nicknamed ‘Capital do Espumante’ or ‘Sparkling Wine Capital’.

Portuguese Wine

History of Bairrada Wine

The wine production in Bairrada can be traced back to the 10th century when the region was conquered by the Christian Portuguese from the Moors.

Due to its proximity to Porto, this region was used already in the 17th century by the Port wine producers who would blend Bairrada wines with the wines coming from the Douro region and sold them to the British, as to be able to supply this growing market.

In the 19th century, this wine region became known by its own name as one that had good quality wines. This was because people that were traveling throughout the country would stop there for the famous ‘Bairrada piglet’, a very famous dish in all of Portugal, and would drink the region’s wines.

In 1867, a scientist named António Augusto de Aguiar studied the wine production systems and defined the region’s borders. 20 years later, he started the Practical Wine School of Bairrada, with the intention of promoting the region’s wines and better the planting and production techniques. The first outcome of the school was the creation of sparkling wines in the region, in 1890.

And this was what made the region known! Famous for being fruity with a mineral touch and a good structure, the sparkling Bairrada wines are a reference and made it the biggest producer of this wine in Portugal!

With time, other wines also earned their space, since the producers started to experiment with ‘Baga’, the native grape type of the region. This is the main grape used for red wines and the thing that differentiates it from the rest is its potential for aging which can get to 30 or 40 years easily, and can be used both for still wines and sparkling ones.

The region then became known internationally with the work of the Engineer Luís Pato, who became known as ‘Mr. Baga’. He did a thorough work with these grapes, discovering how to get a better and more authentic wine with them, with the minimum outside interference.

Nowadays, the region is very well known both for its cuisine and for its sparkling wines, putting the idea in the Portuguese culture that when you eat piglet, it must be with a glass of sparkling wine!

Bairrada Wine Region

This region borders the Mondego River on its southern border, the Vouga River on its northern border, the Atlantic Ocean on its East, and the mountains of Buçaco and Caramulo on its West. Besides this, the region has a low altitude.

Bairrada’s location and its climate and soil characteristics make it a unique region. It has a mild and temperate climate with a lot of rainfall, due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The winters are fresh, long, and rainy, while the Summers are hot but freshened by the Atlantic winds. During the period of the ripening of the grapes, the region has a big thermal amplitude, with the temperature variation reaching 20ºC of difference between the daytime and nighttime.

In this region, there are mainly 2 types of soil used for the production of several wine types: the sandy ones, and the more clayey or muddy ones, from where the name ‘Bairrada’ came (clay in Portuguese is ‘barro’, so Bairrada).

The vineyards are usually planted in small discontinued plots of land that are shared with other crops. This means that the soil changes a lot, making it influence the type of wine that is created there.

Bairrada Wine Grape Types

Photo by marcosantiago on Pixabay

Baga

The most famous grape type in the region, as we’ve mentioned, is the Baga grape. It’s the dominant grape for red wines here and it’s usually planted on the clayish soils. These soils and the region’s climate make its wines be filled with color, highly acidic, and very rich in tannins, giving them a lot of longevity. This grape can be used both for red wines and for the region’s sparkling wines.

Red Wine Grapes

However, besides Baga, other grapes are used for red wines there, such as the Alfrocheiro, Camarate, Castelão, Jaen, Touriga Nacional, and Aragonez grapes. But by law, the Baga grape cannot represent less than 50% of the grapes.

White Wine Grapes

As for white wine grapes, the main ones would be Bical and Fernão Pires (which, in the region is called ‘Maria Gomes’). They are usually also planted in the clayish terrain of the region and create delicate and aromatic white wines. Other grapes include: Arinto, Cercial, Rabo de Ovelha and Verdelho.

Sparkling Wine

Recently, it became allowed for the planting of international grape types, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Pinot Noir and they now share the land with the Portuguese native grapes.

This way, the wines used as a base for natural sparkling wine have to be made with either Arinto, Baga, Bical, Cercial, Maria Gomes, Rabo de Ovelha, Água-Santa, Alfrocheiro-Preto, Bastardo, Castelão, Cercialinho, Chardonnay, Jean, Moreto, Preto Mortágua, Tinta Pinheira or Trincadeira grapes.

Wine Production in Bairrada

The DOC Bairrada seal can be used in White, Red, Rosé, and Sparkling Wines, as well as in “Aguardentes Bagaceiras”, a kind of very strong spirit, traditional throughout Portugal.

The vines that are used for making these wines, should have at least 4 years of grafting. Manual watering should only be done in extreme cases since it should be watered naturally by the rain.

These wines are fixed at 55hl for the red wines and 70hl for the white, rosé, and sparkling. After these numbers, the bottled wine would be considered ‘Table Wine’.

To have the seal, the wine should be approved by the CVB and recognized by the Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho (Institute of the Vine and Wine).

The Portuguese Law specifies the authorized and recommended grape types for the wine production in the Bairrada DOC, also giving directions on how to make the different types of wines.

The wines that don’t follow these directions or don’t have the approved grape types, can’t get the DOC Bairrada seal and get the IG or ‘Vinho Regional’ Beira Atlântico seal.

Bairrada Wine Suggestions: Best Wine in Bairrada

In case you’re looking to buy a good Bairrada wine, here are some brands you can trust to have a very good experience, according to the 2019 contest “The Best Bairrada Wines 2019”:

White Wines

  • São Domingos
  • Medusa Reserva Branco
  • Positive Wine

Rosé

  • Quinta do Poço do Lobo
  • Marquês de Marialva
  • QMF Blush

Red Wines

  • Casa do Canto
  • Touriga Nacional
  • Ânfora 296

As for Sparkling Wines, according to the CVB 2020 contest “Bairrada Sparkling Wines Contest 2021”, these are some of the best brands:

  • Borga
  • Íssimo Baga-Bairrada
  • Aliança
  • António Marinha
  • Casa do Canto
  • Luiz Costa
  • Marquês de Marialva
  • Montanha Real
  • Primavera Bical
  • Quinta dos Abibes
  • Trabuca

3 Best Wine Tours in Bairrada

1. Bussaco Forest and Bairrada Winery Route

If you’re a nature AND a wine lover, this is the best trip for you! Visit the prestigious Bairrada wine region and learn about its winemaking history and heritage while you taste this region’s famous sparkling wine.

Afterward, explore the amazing Bussaco Forest, filled with incredible nature and beautiful monuments! Then, stop at a local restaurant to try the main dish of the region, the roasted piglet.

Book Bussaco Forest and Bairrada Winery Tour

2. Bairrada Route Wine and Gastronomic Experience

If you’re in the area of Aveiro or Coimbra but you want to get out of the city and spend a day in the chilled wine country, catch this tour. You will spend an entire day visiting different vineyards in Bairrada and learning about the winemaking process while tasting the different wines. You will be able to see all around the vineyard, from walking between the vines to going to the cellar tunnels.

Book Bairrada Route Wine and Gastronomic Experience

3. Cycling Vineyards Rota da Bairrada

Now this one is for the sporty people out there! You will get the best of all the worlds, with the wonderful scenery of the vineyards while you cycle throughout Bairrada Route and a visit to one of the traditional wineries to finish with a tasteful wine tasting.

Book Cycling Experience with Wine Tasting

Guide to Van Life in Portugal 2022

Lara Silva
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2
Guide to Van Life in Portugal 2022

From young parents to single women, as rent prices rise and remote working becomes the norm, it seems that more and more people are seeking the freedom that comes with van life. You might have heard of it on YouTube or your favorite travel influencer, but many of us still don’t understand what this way of living is all about.

So, what is van life? It looks different to many people. To some, van life is a social movement of nomads who reject the social norm in favor of freedom, minimalism, and adventure. To others, it’s just a way to travel while saving thousands of dollars on rent. Regardless, van lifers have built a tight-knit community all over the world, many even making an income off by sharing their experiences online with audiences.

Whatever it might mean to you, van life has its perks. It gives you the opportunity to live a truly meaningful life, allowing you the freedom to travel while you work, save money, and spend time around nature. But we won’t sugarcoat, van life is not always glamorous. Van lifers have to get used to living in a tight space, worry about safety, and even shower less frequently.

If you’re looking into starting your van life journey, Portugal is a top place to consider traveling around. Luckily, this guide has everything you need to know about van life in Portugal for 2022.

Van Life in Portugal: Is Van Life Over in Portugal?

Although places like Canada and Mexico are the most mainstream spots for van lifers, Portugal has attracted this community for years due to its 300+ days of sun, hundreds of kilometers of coastline, and breathtaking nature. Many van lifers come to Portugal to live and travel in a more responsible and sustainable manner while enjoying all that the country has to offer.

However, over the past few years, many have done just the opposite and negatively impacted the environment, as well as the “slow-paced” way of life of the locals. Portuguese authorities have in the last years, restricted van parking and fined van lifers for parking illegally. Many van lifers have been calling this “the war on van life”. The truth is that many would travel to remote areas of Portugal, where they would park illegally, litter, and make noise late at night. These van lifers angered locals and sparked a heated discussion surrounding van life in Portugal.

For a while, it seemed van life was over in Portugal, but this is no longer the case. Let’s go through how laws regarding van life changed in the last year.

Van Life Laws in Portugal

While in the last few years van life laws in Portugal became a lot stricter, the country seems to be heading in a more lenient direction. In early 2021, due to local complaints concerning noise and pollution, the Portuguese government amended the Highway Code and established the decrees n°24/2020 and 102 B/2020. These stated that parking a motorhome (or a van you are living in) was banned outside of the authorized places, such as campsites or areas designated for van parking. However, this has changed once again!

In the summer of 2021, van life laws have taken a favorable turn! You can now park your van for a maximum period of 48 hours in a municipality, including overnight stays for that period (between 10 pm and 7 am). However, it is still forbidden to engage in wild parking in Rede Natura 2000 areas, a network of nature protection areas, protected areas, and areas concerning the Planos de Ordenamento da Orla Costeira.

Best Places for Van Life in Portugal

1. Algarve

The Algarve is one of the most visited regions by tourists and van lifers due to the long sandy beaches and best weather in the country. The Algarve is located on Portugal’s south-western tip and is lapped by the Atlantic from two sides. It is known for its surfing, picturesque cities, local crafts, cuisine, and golden sand beaches. This region has multiple cities and towns worth visiting. Check out our favorite places in the Algarve:

Guide to Algarve

van life portugal
Photo by Reiseuhu (Unsplash)

2. Alentejo

Right above Algarve, the region of Alentejo is where many spend their summers. From gorgeous beaches, golden plains, and rolling hills, this region provides tourists with both the farm life experience and beach vacation. The Alentejo is known for its production of regional tapestries, leather, cork, as well as of local wine, making it one of Portugal’s top wine destinations. Check out our favorite places in the Alentejo:

  • Evora
  • Portalegre
  • Monforte
  • Odemira
  • Estremoz
  • Grandola

Guide to Alentejo

van life portugal
Photo by Joao Luis (Unsplash)

3. Lisbon

A must-see, Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in western Europe. The birthplace of Amália Rodrigues, the iconic Fado singer, Lisbon is rich in culture, history, and striking views. From the astonishing views to the nightlife and food, Lisbon has made a mark as a top capital to travel to in Europe. It is no surprise that around 4.5 million tourists travel to Lisbon each year. The capital has something for everyone’s taste: from activities to do with kids, to historical monuments and clubs to dance the night away.

Guide to Lisbon

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4. Cascais

Located on the Portuguese Riviera and a 20-minute drive from Lisbon, Cascais is known for its three stunning bays, luxurious hotels, and beaches. Take a walk to Boca do Inferno, a  cliff formation with a stunning natural arch, and through the city center, where you’ll get to see picturesque houses and affordable restaurants.

Guide to Cascais

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5. Sintra

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Sintra is a town known for its forested terrain, astonishing palaces that once belonged to royal families, and the delicious “Travesseiro de Sintra”. This place is perfect for a day trip if you are parked in Lisbon, as it’s only a 30-minute drive. We recommend visiting the Pena Palace, a colorful palace that looks like a fairytale, as well as the Castle of the Moors from the 8th century.

Guide to Sintra

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6. Peniche

Located in Central Portugal, Peniche is one of the most famous coastal towns in the country. 100 KM from Lisbon, this fishing city has a strong cultural heritage and history connecting to the sea and is known for its cliffs and colorful houses. You should visit the Peniche fortress and surf on some of the best beaches in the country.

Guide to Peniche

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7. Porto

Porto might be the second-largest city in the country after Lisbon, but it is not the second best! 280 km north of Lisbon, the beautiful city of Porto lies along the Douro River. Home to Port wine, street art, and “francesinhas”, Porto is one of the world’s top 100 cities with the most international visitors. Over 1 million tourists visit Porto every year. We recommend visiting the Bolsa Palace, the first stock market in Portugal, and the Lello Bookstore. You should also head to the Douro Valley to try some of the best wine in Portugal (and the world).

Guide to Porto

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8. Braga

Braga might not be a tourist hotspot, but it’s definitely a top city to visit in Portugal. Braga is the oldest city in Portugal, founded by the Romans in the year 16 BC. It’s known as the “Rome of Portugal” as it’s the home of more than 30 churches, as well as the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. The city is also a famous university town in Portugal, frequented by thousands of young people.

Guide to Braga

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9. Guimarães

Head to Guimaraes to uncover the beauty of this city and its great historical and gastronomical marvels. Guimarães is the birthplace of Portugal’s first King, Afonso I, making it a city with an important history. Its historical center has been a UNESCO site since 2001. The city has some of the most beautiful plazas in the control, as well as high-quality cuisine and wine.

Guide to Guimarães

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10. Peneda-Gerês National Park

If you’re looking for a van life experience where you’re surrounded by nature, Gerês is one of the best spots in Portugal. A one-hour drive from Porto, Gerês is the oldest protected area in the country and the only national park in Portugal. The park covers an area of 695.93 km2 and occasionally gets some snow in the winter. There are many hiking trails and “miradouros” (viewpoints) where you can get wonderful views. There are also many lagoons and rivers where you can take a dip in the summer, perfect for after a hike.

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Where to Park Vans in Portugal: Campsites in Portugal

For the days you do not feel like going off the grid, it’s important to know the best campsites in Portugal. Along with campsites, you can always look for “areas de servico” where you can park for free that sometimes have bathrooms and charging areas. You can check out the official list of “areas de servico” here (the ones labeled in red are free). We have also selected the 5 best campsites to park your van that won’t break your wallet, below.

1. Yelloh! Village Turiscampo, Algarve

This spot in Algarve is perfect for those looking for a beach vacation. Only 2 KM away from a beach, Turiscampo has a lagoon, pool, entertainment events on-site, a restaurant, and a spa.

2. Orbitur Guincho, Cascais

Located in Cascais, Orbitur Guincho is literally situated on top of Guincho beach, the best beach in all of Cascais. The campsite is surrounded by a forest, behind the dunes of the beach that give a desert-like scenery. It has a restaurant, pool, and store for day-to-day products.

3. Parque de Campismo de Armação de Pera, Algarve

This campsite is located in a 120,000 m² area of eucalyptus, almond trees, and carob trees, 10 minutes away from the beach. It has a playground, sports ground, restaurant, as well as an outdoor swimming pool. You can also find a mini-market on-site and a laundrette.

4. Zmar Eco Campo, Alentejo

Located in Alentejo, Zmar Eco Campo is a sustainable campsite, a few KM away from the beach and city center. The campsite has an indoor and outdoor pool, supermarket, and even more than one restaurant.

5. Campsite Orbitur Rio Alto

Located in Estela, Porto, this campsite is located close to a gorgeous view of the sea and a little stream. It has a sports ground, restaurant, snack bar, and outdoor swimming pool. This place is also pet-friendly!

Why Portugal?

  • In 2019, Global Finance magazine ranked Portugal fourth amongst the safest countries in the world.
  • That same year, the Social Progress Index placed Portugal 18th on the list of best countries to live in, ahead of England, France, Spain, and Austria.
  • Portugal has a low cost of living.
  • As most Portuguese people speak English, you do not need to learn Portuguese.
  • Portugal is slow-paced and has a relaxing environment
  • The country has a moderate climate, with very sunny days.
  • Portugal is easily connected to other European countries you might want to visit, as well as a meeting point between Europe, Africa, and America.
  • Portugal is known for its cultural heritage, cuisine, as well as gorgeous nature.
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Where to Get a Camper Van in Portugal?

If you’re looking to buy an affordable (second-hand) van in Portugal, the best places to look are on Van Life Portugal Facebook groups and the platform OLX. You can take the risk and convert the van you purchase or you can hire a company to do the van conversion in Portugal for you. You can also purchase vans that are already converted and ready to be lived in, although these will always cost you at least five figures.

If you’re too scared to purchase a van and want to get a glimpse of van life before you commit, you can always rent a van in Portugal. A Portuguese company called Indie Campers is a great option. They have over 2000 camper vans of different sizes which you can pick up in 39 countries in Europe, including Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland, Iceland, Croatia, Sweden, and Austria. The great thing about this rental company is that you can pick up and leave a van in any of these countries so you can travel all around Europe, not just Portugal. You can rent a van starting at €30 a night.

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Van Life Ethics in Portugal: The Unspoken Rules of Van Life

To make sure that van lifers and locals can coexist peacefully, there are certain unspoken rules that van lifers should follow in Portugal. Here are a few:

  1. Clean up after yourself
  2. Limit pollution
  3. Keep noise levels low
  4. Be respectful
  5. Buy local products and use local services to contribute to the local economy
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Minor earthquake in São Miguel, Azores

Lara Silva
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Minor earthquake in São Miguel, Azores

A 2,3 earthquake was felt on Sunday on the island of São Miguel in the Azores, according to  CIVISA. According to the Richter scale, this is a minor earthquake that might be felt by individuals but does not damage buildings. The earthquake was felt at 11:58 PM on Sunday in Ponta Garça, in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, and in Ribeira Quente and Furnas, in the municipality of Povoação.

There has been a seismic volcanic crisis on the island of São Jorge since March 19th, the largest earthquake detected there occurring on March 29th, with a 3,8 scale. In the last month, there have been around 30,000 earthquakes on the São Jorge island, according to CNN Portugal.

São Jorge’s volcanic alert has been raised to level 4 of 5, meaning there is a threat of a volcanic eruption. The last volcano eruption was in 1808 in Velas, São Jorge.

According to the Richter scale, earthquakes are classified as micro (1-1.9), minor (2-3.9), light (4-4.9), moderate (5-5.9), strong (6-6.9), major (7-7.9), and great (8 and above).

São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores is part of the Eastern Group of the Archipelago with the island of Santa Maria which is 80 kilometers away. The island has around 140,000 inhabitants, with 45,000 people residing in Ponta Delgada, the island’s largest city.

Guide to Sao Miguel Island, the Azores

25 Things To Know About Portugal’s Carnation Revolution

Lara Silva
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25 Things To Know About Portugal’s Carnation Revolution

Freedom day, Carnation Revolution, 25th of April, all of these describe Portugal’s most important national holiday. After over 40 years of fascism, on April 25th, 1974, a (peaceful) military coup led by leftist military officers known as the Carnation Revolution brought about freedom for the Portuguese. It led to a transition to democracy and the end of the Portuguese Colonial War in Africa. To celebrate this special day, we have selected 25 things to know about the Portuguese Carnation Revolution.

1. This day ended a fascist dictatorship

The Carnation Revolution of April 25th, 1974 overthrew the authoritarian Estado Novo Regime. The Estado Novo was installed in 1933 and was inspired by right-wing conservative, fascist, anti-democratic, and autocratic ideologies, developed by Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. The regime promoted conservative ideals of “God, patriotism, and family”. Two main factors of the dictatorship were the fight against communism, as well as defending Portuguese colonialism. Salazar was President of the Council of Ministers almost throughout the whole of the Estado Novo, until 6 years prior to the revolution.

2. The revolution started with music on the radio

The Carnation Revolution started with music on the radio. First, at 10:55 pm on the 24th of April, E Depois do Adeus by Paulo de Carvalho played on the radio. In the early hours of the 25th of April at 00:25, Grandola, Vila Morena by Jose Afonso played on Radio Renascenca. This last song was the second sign to the Portuguese people that the revolution was starting and that revolutionaries should occupy the strategic points of the country. Within a few hours, the Estado Novo was overthrown.

3. The end of fascism meant the end of Portuguese colonialism in Africa

The end of the Estado Novo led to the end of Portuguese colonialism in Africa, with this being a major driving force for the revolution. The Portuguese Colonial War was inhumane, costly, and led to the loss of countless lives of both Portuguese and Africans. Decolonization occurred quickly after the revolution and by the end of 1975, many Portuguese ex-colonies like Angola, Cape Verde, and Mozambique gained their rightful independence.

4. The Portuguese Colonial War lasted for over 10 years

The Portuguese Colonial War, which ended after the Carnation Revolution, lasted 13 years, 2 months, and 3 weeks, between 1961 and 1974. The war was fought between Portugal’s military under the Estado Novo and the emerging nationalist movements in Portugal’s then African colonies. Portugal faced embargo and sanctions from the international community because, by the 1960s, other European nations had withdrawn from their African colonies.

5. The 25 of April bridge celebrates the revolution

The 25 of April was once named Salazar Bridge, inaugurated in August 1966 under the Estado Novo. In 1974, the bridge was renamed after the Carnation Revolution to celebrate the day that fascism was overthrown. The bridge is over 2,000 meters long, making it the 43rd longest suspension bridge in the world.

6. This was not the first revolution in the 20th century in Portugal

There was another revolution in 20th-century Portuguese history, the 5 October 1910 revolution. On this day the Portuguese monarchy was replaced by the First Portuguese Republic, after a coup d’etat organized by the Portuguese Republican Party. After the revolution, there was a provisional government installed led by Teofilo Braga until the Constitution was approved in 1911, marking the beginning of the First Republic.

7. Women were allowed to vote for the first time in Portugal one year later

During the Estado Novo, there were a few elections led but voting was not a universal right and elections were heavily manipulated. PIDE, the regime’s secret police would harass and attack voters, and there was electoral fraud. Women were allowed to vote for the first time in 1933 for the Portuguese constitutional referendum, but not on equal terms with men. Women had to have secondary education (which was uncommon), while men only needed to read and write. Only after the Carnation Revolution, was universal suffrage introduced, and women were allowed to vote with the same rights as men!

Elections were held on April 25, 1975, exactly a year later after the revolution for the Constituent Assembly to draw a constitution. The Socialist Party (PS) won 38% of the vote, the PPD, now the Social Democratic Party (PSD) won 26.4%, the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) won less than 13% of the vote, and the Democratic and Social Center Party (CDS) won less than 8%.

8. A provisional government was set up after the revolution

A few weeks after the Carnation Revolution, on May 16, 1974, the first provisional government of Portugal took office. This government had many political forces, from communists to liberal democrats. However, this government later fell in July of 1974 and there were six other provisional governments until two years later when the first constitutional government was formed.

9. Another coup happened on November 25, 1975

The coup of November 25, 1975, was a failed pro-communist coup carried out by Portuguese communists and socialists against the post-Carnation Revolution governing bodies. The activities hoped to make Portugal a communist country but failed and a counter-coup by moderates was in turn successful. For many anti-communists, this day is widely celebrated.

10. The revolution was organized by left military forces

Although this is not common knowledge, a lot of the planning for the Carnation Revolution was actually organized by military members stationed in African colonies such as Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea Bissau. Organized by the Movimento das Forças Armadas (MFA) which translates to the Armed Forces Movement, a revolutionary civil resistance campaign composed of military offices. These were lower-ranking officers affiliated with the socialist and communist parties who sought to overthrow the fascist regime and end the colonial war.

11. The Portuguese Communist Party played a major role in the opposition to Salazar’s regime

The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) was constantly surprised and prosecuted by the PIDE, Salazar’s secret police, and members were imprisoned, tortured, and murdered. Many of those in the Movimento das Forças Armadas (MFA) that organized the revolution were members of the PCP and the reason that fascism was overthrown. PCP was founded in 1921 and was illegal during the Estado Novo, however, after the revolution, became a major political force of Portuguese democracy to this day.

12. Freedom of speech was provided to the Portuguese

During the Estado Novo, the Portuguese people had no freedom of speech. At any corner, any dinner party, any supermarket a member of PIDE, the secret police could be listening. Saying the wrong thing to what seemed a friendly face could leave you in prison, tortured, or murdered. As Portuguese people from that time say, “As paredes têm ouvidos” (the walls have ears). Censorship of the media was also in place, requesting books, controlling newspapers, censoring music, art, and much more.

13. The song Grândola, Vila Morena was banned during the dictatorship

Written by Zeca Afonso and recorded in 1971, Grândola Vila Morena, the song that was radio broadcasted to signal the start of the military coup on April 25, was banned during the Estado Novo. During Zeca Afonso’s musical performances, such as at a concert event in Coliseu dos Recreios, Lisbon he was forbidden to perform certain political songs due to state censorship. However, he performed Grândola Vila Morena, to which the crowd joined to sing. The song represents a symbol of revolution, democracy, and anti-fascism, particularly the line “O povo é quem mais ordena”, which is essentially the Portuguese “Power to The People” slogan. 

14. The Portuguese celebrate Freedom Day every year

Every year, the people of Portugal run to the streets to celebrate the 25 of April or Freedom Day! From older people who lived during the Estado Novo, to younger people, this day is a yearly reminder of the value of democracy, the fight against fascism, and the end of Portuguese colonialism. All over the country, people go out to sing, dance, eat, and march the streets, with carnations in their hands. It’s common that florists will give out carnations for free.

15. The present Constitution of Portugal was adopted in 1976 after the revolution

The current Constitution of Portugal was adopted in 1976, after the Carnation Revolution. It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly which was elected on 25 April 1976, a year after the revolution. With some 60% of seats occupied by the left after the election, the Assembly adopted a constitution that provided for a democratic parliamentary system with various political parties, elections, a parliament, and a prime minister. The Portuguese constitution included ideological content, with references to socialism and restricting private business. In the 80s, there were constitutional revisions to remove some of these.

However, an important ideological component remains. Article 46 of the constitution states that any organizations that are racist or share a fascist ideology are not allowed. Therefore, fascist parties are not legal in Portugal. However, in 2020, a public petition was shared in the media asking for the party Chega to be abolished due to its “fascist ideology” which has not happened.

16. Capitães de Abril is a film about the Carnation Revolution

Translating to April Captains, Capitães de Abril is a 2000 Portuguese film that depicts the story of the Carnation Revolution on April 25, 1974. Many of the characters are real such as Captain Salgueiro Maia and Prime Minister Marcelo Caetano. Although a lot of the movie is altered for the plot, this film is a pretty accurate depiction of the events that transpired that day. 

17. Although the revolution was peaceful, there were some fatalities

While most military coups are violent, the Carnation Revolution was predominantly peaceful. Red carnations were given to soldiers who placed these flowers inside their guns and on their uniforms. Carnations then became a symbol of democracy and the revolution! However, it is a myth that there were no fatalities on that day. Although the revolutionaries were peaceful, four civilians were shot by the DGS, essentially the regime’s police that was once PIDE.

18. Many were imprisoned and tortured during the dictatorship

The International and State Defense Police, known as PIDE, was the Portuguese security agency during the Estado Novo. PIDE had the power to detain and arrest anyone who was thought to be plotting against the state and focused on political and social issues such as political opposition and revolutionary movements. PIDE tortured and assassinated many political activists, anarchists, communists, workers, intellectuals, and more, numbers we do not know to this day.

19. Salazar died 4 years before the revolution

While the Estado Novo was still in place for four years after his death, Salazar died in 1970. In 1968, Salazar had a cerebral hemorrhage, which sources say was caused by a fall from a chair. Others say he fell in the bath. A few weeks later, he went into a coma, forcing him to step down unaware. After emerging from a one-month coma, his subordinates did not tell him he had been removed from power. He believed to be ruling in privacy until he died on July 27th, 1970.

20. Salazar was replaced by Marcello Caetano in 1968

Marcello Caetano was the second and last leader of the Estado Novo, after Salazar got sick. He served as Prime Minister from 1968 to 1974, after being overthrown in the Carnation Revolution. Although there was less press censorship and independent labor unions were allowed, the regime remained authoritarian and unfree. After the Carnation Revolution, Caetano resigned and was taken into military custody. He then flew to exile in Brazil where he died in 1980 of a heart attack.

21. Parliament celebrates the Carnation Revolution on the 25 of April every year with a ceremony

Every year on the 25th of April, parliament celebrates a “sessão solene comemorativa” on the anniversary of the Carnation Revolution. This celebration even occurred during the covid-19 pandemic, although with some restrictions. The celebration is televised and the Portuguese people watch attentively.

22. Political prisoners were released the day after the revolution

Although the government was overthrown on the 25th, the military was only able to occupy the Caxias Fort the next day, one of the largest political prisons, and release the prisoners. This prison was one of the best known during the Estado Novo and was where in 1960, many escaped from prison.

23. On March 23rd, 2022, the days of democracy surpassed the days of dictatorship

On March 23rd, 2022, there were 17,500 days since the dictatorship ended, meaning 17,500 days of freedom. The dictatorship lasted 17,499 days, meaning that only on March 23rd, did Portugal enjoy more days of freedom than fascism. Various politicians took to social media to celebrate, including Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa.

24. Maria Inácia Rezola is the new commissioner for the 25 of April celebrations

Maria Inácia Rezola is a researcher from the Institute of Contemporary History from Nova and a Professor at the Superior School of Communications. She is replacing Pedro Adao e Silva as the new commissioner for the 25 of April celebrations that started on March 23, 2022, with the celebration of 17,500 days of freedom. There are big plans for 2024 for the official 50th-anniversary celebration.

25. The first Portuguese Netflix Original, Gloria is set during the Estado Novo

Gloria is worth a watch. While not about the 25th of April, the first Portuguese Netflix Original tells the story of a young communist spy operating in Cold War Portugal during the Estado Novo. It speaks to the US’s involvement with the Estado Novo in opposition to the Soviet Union and depicts the oppression of the regime of the time.

Portugal becomes first EU country to implement fast-track system for UK citizens

Lara Silva
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Portugal becomes first EU country to implement fast-track system for UK citizens

Post-Brexit, many UK citizens feared long waiting lines at passport checks within the European Union (EU). However, Portugal has just become the first country in the European Union to open e-gates at airports that allow UK citizens to be fast-tracked, rather than have to have their passports checked manually. The e-gates can be found in airports in Faro in the Algarve, Funchal in Madeira, as well as Lisbon and Porto.

While this is not what was decided with Brexit, EU member states have the right to set their own travel rules. The new measure means that UK citizens are essentially treated in the same manner at the airport as EU citizens. The e-gate system can also be used by nationals from Australia, Japan, Singapore, and New Zealand.

In 2019, around 2.5 million British nationals visited Portugal. Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy PC Agency believes this is the right move for tourism in Portugal, commending the country for “clearly leading the way in recognizing that they have to process vast numbers of British visitors as seamlessly as possible otherwise there would be long queues this summer”.

The e-gates read the passengers’ biometric data to authenticate documents in less than 20 seconds. It uses facial recognition to match the photograph on the document to the passengers and involves the system searching an international database. Quickly and surely, passengers are on their way in no time.

Extinction of Portuguese Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) postponed

Lara Silva
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Extinction of Portuguese Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) postponed

The extinction of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) in Portugal has been postponed once again, without a particular extinction date set. SEF was set to be extinct on May 12 and be replaced by the Portuguese Agency of Migration and Asylum (APMA).

The Minister of Internal Administration, José Luís Carneiro stated the “transition should occur in a tranquil and safe manner” and that this transition is not yet ready. He also guaranteed that the fundamental rights of the workers at SEF will be safeguarded during the transition.

“We are working with the different ministries to make sure that this institutional transformation occurs with serenity, stability, and trust and in a condition that guarantees that the functions of security, that are paramount functions of the state continue to be safeguarded”, said Carneiro in Portalegre. The Minister went on to say that in the next few days a “legislative solution” regarding the APMA may be found.

The APMA which will replace SEF will take care of issues of requests for visas, asylum, and aiding refugees, as well as studying, promoting, and executing measures relating to migratory movements and politics  The “policing” aspect of SEF is set to be given to law enforcement agencies such as PSP and GNR, while SEF will remain its administrative roles. SEF will no longer enforce border control, as well as deal with issues of illegal immigration and human trafficking. These will be left to the police.

The President of the Union that represents SEF workers, Acácio Pereira has said postponing the extinction of SEF is the right move as this is a “complex process”. He says that not all the rights of workers have been considered at this point in the process.

The current workers at SEF are given the chance to transition to APMA, if they wish. There are over 1,666 workers at SEF, 1,049 of which are inspectors.

Free transport for young and elderly residents in Lisbon

Lara Silva
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Free transport for young and elderly residents in Lisbon

The Lisbon city council approved on Thursday unanimously a free public transportation measure in the Portuguese capital for young and elderly residents. The measure is set to begin in June or July for those over 65 years old and in September for students up to the age of 23.

The Mayor of Lisbon Carlos Moedas from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) has said this is a “historic day”, stating that only two or three other European cities have approved such an initiative to fight climate change.

Moedas also emphasized how this measure has passed with his party’s majority in the city council, showing the “ability of doing politics with everyone”. He believes “this is the most important measure” of his mandate that will “stay in the history of the city”.

The mayor believes the measure will have a direct impact on climate change and that it is also socially relevant due to the increase in prices, the war in Ukraine, and the last two years of crisis due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Tweet translation: People from Lisbon will have free public transport services. The proposal to provide free public transport to student residents up to 23 years old and residents over 65 years old has been approved. We promise and we fulfill. This is a victory for all of us. 

Since 2017, children up to 12 years old can already enjoy free public transport in the Metropolitano and Carris networks. Moedas said that in the future, the free public transport measure might be provided to other groups, such as students with a fiscal residence in the city, the unemployed, benefactors of the Social Integration Income (RSI), and people with disabilities.

The measure will cost around €6,266,000 in 2022, and for 2023, 2024, and 2025, should cost around €14,900,000 a year.

Guide to Lisbon

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