Culture shock in Portugal: essential tips for expats in 2025

In 2025, moving to Portugal can be an exciting adventure for expats from all walks of life. Whether you’re settling in Lisbon or a remote countryside village, be prepared for a few surprises along the way.

The language barrier

One of the first challenges you might face is the Portuguese language. Unlike Spanish or French, Portuguese isn’t widely taught in schools around the world, so many newcomers start from scratch. While most younger Portuguese speak English well, older generations — especially outside major cities and tourist areas — often don’t.

Even if you speak Spanish fluently, don’t expect instant comprehension. Many expats are surprised to find that, despite some similarities in writing, spoken Portuguese sounds quite different. As one new arrival put it, “It doesn’t sound anything like it looks!” Plus, Portuguese tends to be spoken quickly, which can make it even tougher to follow at first.

A common mistake is assuming that Spanish will be an easy workaround. Be careful — some Portuguese people find this offensive. It’s a bit like calling a Scot “English” or using German with a Dutch person.

Learning Portuguese

The good news? Many cities and towns still offer free or low-cost Portuguese classes for all levels, from beginner to advanced. In 2025, online and hybrid courses are increasingly common, too. Check with the local library, cultural center, or tourist office for more information, or search government portals such as Portal de Imigração for official programs.

A loud and direct communication style

Portuguese is often spoken at a high volume, but don’t mistake this for anger — it’s simply how people communicate. In addition, Portuguese speakers can be direct, which may feel abrupt if you come from a culture that favors more indirect communication. Understanding this up front will help you adapt faster and avoid misunderstandings.

If you’re used to a more casual culture, you may find Portugal somewhat more fashion-conscious. In 2025, business attire is still relatively formal, reflecting a sense of pride in personal presentation. You’ll also notice that Portugal is extremely family-oriented: children are given free rein, and just about any festival can turn into a family gathering. If you move here with young children, expect them to be spoiled by everyone they meet. Families get together at every opportunity, and family businesses remain common — it’s considered perfectly natural to employ extended family members in your enterprise.

You’ll notice handshaking (for men) and cheek-kissing (for women) are common greetings in Portugal. Skipping someone can be seen as rude, much like ignoring a colleague. There’s a certain formality in daily life — many people still address colleagues as Senhor or Senhora (“sir” or “madam”), and if someone enters an elevator in an office building, they’re expected to greet whoever is already there and say goodbye before leaving.

While men do hug each other from time to time, kissing among men typically happens only if Portugal wins at football!

You may find the Portuguese approach to time a bit confusing at first. For instance, being more than 15 minutes late to a dinner appointment is considered rude — but arriving 10 minutes late is perfectly normal. If you’re renovating a house, you’ll quickly discover that while Portuguese builders work hard, their schedules can be unpredictable. However, in business, punctuality remains precise — this isn’t the land of mañana or siestas (you’ll have to go across the Spanish border for that).

Keep in mind that Portuguese people often eat their evening meal relatively late compared to northern Europe or the United States. During all-night festivals, you’ll see babies and grandparents alike enjoying themselves well into the early hours — there’s little concept of a “sensible” bedtime.

Portugal does have a darker side tied to its history. The Salazar dictatorship (1932–1968) saw entire families fleeing the country — some walking all the way to France — while others disappeared or were sent to political prisons. Most people still prefer not to discuss those times, nor the negative aspects of Portuguese colonialism. Raise these topics at your own risk, as they can be sensitive.

Similarly, football can be a touchy subject — possibly even more sensitive than religion (though around 80% of Portuguese identify as Catholic, fewer than 20% practice regularly). Criticizing someone’s football club can spark passionate disagreements, so proceed with caution. About the only safe thing you can say is that “England’s team is rubbish,” which most Portuguese will be happy to agree with — at least jokingly.

As of 2025, smoking has become more regulated, but you’ll still find bars and restaurants that allow it, as enforcement can vary. This might be a shock if you’re coming from a strictly smoke-free environment. Another national passion is strong coffee — Portuguese coffee culture is all about hot, strong, and slightly bitter espresso. If you prefer milky or weak coffee (or tea), you’ll need to seek out specialty cafés or adapt your tastes to fit in.