Living in Portugal as an expat family has unique challenges and joys, especially when raising children in a foreign land. Have you ever wondered how we are doing it? Having friends and good community people help a lot! 

When we moved to Portugal in September 2021, we thirsted for friends and family. Eventually, we gained new friends from church and our new community. Portuguese people are easy to make friends with. Thankfully, there are also many American expats in Portugal!  The cultural difference is great, but we’ve managed to make friends from Portugal, America, Brazil, and more.  Portuguese culture is very kid-friendly, which warms my mama heart!

Why We Chose Portugal

Portugal’s charm lies not only in its stunning landscapes but also in its family-friendly atmosphere. As expats, we were drawn to its welcoming culture, rich history, and the promise of a laid-back lifestyle. The desire for a vibrant, open-minded environment fueled the decision to raise our children here.

We traveled the world full-time for nearly three years in search of our new “home”.  Portugal checked off many of our boxes while providing a friendly visa process for expats and access to Europe, which we were most comfortable with.  

While the bureaucracy of Portugal, the limited economy, and the deep-seated cultural norms can present difficulties, Portugal can be ideal for digital nomads who want an international experience.  Many Portuguese would agree that it’s a wonderful place to live if you can earn your money elsewhere (and at higher rates than the Portuguese economy supports for most laborers).  Portugal is safe, and the climate is fantastic – boasting sprawling beaches, diverse interior spots and more.  

We also enjoy the long Catholic history of Portugal, as it tends to lead to a more conservative culture to raise our children.  While we are not Catholic ourselves, we support families and raise kids within stable family homes.  We have found most Portuguese families to be loving, strong, caring with both the young and the elderly, and happy to spend lots of time creating traditions.

Getting To Know The Portuguese Education System

One of the initial challenges we faced was understanding the Portuguese education system.  Not surprisingly, there’s a bit of a learning curve to get to know how school works here.  Grades are classified differently, and overall the education system is much more demanding than the US systems we’ve experienced.  

A key tip for fellow expat parents is to research local schools, both public and private, to find the best fit for your child. Tons of information can be found in Facebook Groups.  Search for your city and expats on Facebook, and you’ll likely find a group in your city.  

Understanding the curriculum, language of instruction, and extracurricular activities ensures a smoother transition.  If you want your kids to learn Portuguese (like we did), sometimes diving in feet first is the only way to do it.  We sent all of our kids to Portuguese school not speaking more than a couple of words.  Thankfully, this is not as uncommon in Europe as it is in the USA, as there are many languages around Europe.  Schools will usually provide some language assistance for students who are new to the language.

For example, we started all of our kids in the same Portuguese private school.  However, the older teens had a hard time finding their way, both educationally and socially.  After three years, I personally think private schools are better for elementary age, but public schools are quite good for middle school ages and older.  It comes down to the language skills of the child.  Middle school brings subjects like chemistry and physics, which can be nearly impossible to learn in a foreign language.

Language Learning Adventures

Portuguese, a language of warmth and melody, can initially be a hurdle. We found that integrating language learning into our daily routines, such as through play dates with other children from school, not only helped our children adapt but also opened doors to friendships and deeper connections within the community.

Learning a new language as an American is hard.  I’m not going to sugarcoat it for you!  It takes a lot of dedication, perseverance, and being willing to speak and sound like a toddler (which is humbling in your 30’s and 40’s.)  However, it’s well worth it to immerse yourself in the new culture.  I would not want to live here without learning the language, although many expats take this route.

For the adults, I highly recommend intensive language courses.  I took mine in Lisbon, but they are available in many cities.  You can also find them for free in some areas, but the waiting list can be very long.  Be sure you are learning European Portuguese, not Brazilian Portuguese.  Most learning apps favor the Brazilian one as there are more than 10x the number of people in Brazil!  The grammar is a bit different, and the accent is obvious once you live here.

Kids will learn so much at school but still need a bit of help with grammar and vocabulary.  Try to learn together at home, or go to movies in Portuguese.  Our youngest is currently learning to read in both languages, and it’s twice the work for her!  She has to remember how each letter sounds in each language, remember which language she is reading, etc.  It comes more naturally to younger children but takes a lot of work no matter the age.

We still speak in English.  I’ve found that relationships started in one language rarely migrate to another, even when you are able to speak another one.  This is true of our kids. They have no desire to speak with us in Portuguese unless they want to speak in code in front of a non-speaker!

Healthcare

Let’s talk about one of the trickier aspects of raising kids in Portugal – figuring out the healthcare system. As much as we love our new Portuguese lifestyle, this is one area where we’ve had our fair share of head-scratching moments!

First off, Portugal has a mix of public and private healthcare, which sounds great in theory. In practice? It’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded while your toddler finger-paints the walls.

The public system, Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), is available to all residents and is mostly free or low-cost. Sounds amazing, right? Well, it is… if you have the patience. The wait times can be absolutely bonkers. I’m talking “grow-a-beard-while-you-wait” long, especially for non-emergency procedures or specialist appointments.

Medical opinions are also different here than in the US.  They tend to be more conservative in Europe about doing procedures, prescribing medication, etc.  This can definitely be a plus, but it can also be annoying.  I was confident after our dozens of visits to ENTs over the years (and already removing tonsils in our third child) that our two youngest needed their tonsils removed last summer.  However, no ENT in Portugal agreed with me.  I ended up going to the US to have the surgery done there.

The same goes for wisdom teeth.  We are now at the age with our oldest girl that we would consider removing wisdom teeth, and we both had our wisdom teeth removed around this age.  However, our dentist thinks it’s silly to consider this unless they start to cause a problem.  Do we want to be proactive about it and get them removed when she is young?  We are debating this now.

Many expats, ourselves included, end up opting for private healthcare to skip the lines. In fact, it is a requirement with your visa!  It’s faster and often offers more English-speaking staff availability, which is a blessing when you’re still fumbling through “Onde está a farmácia?” (Where is the pharmacy?). But of course, it comes with a heftier price tag.

Another curveball? Even if you go private, some services are only available through the public system. For example, if one of your kids needs to get vaccinated and you try to go to a private pediatrician’s office. Nope! They will send you back to the public health center.

And don’t get me started on the paperwork. It’s like they’re secretly testing our Portuguese reading skills with each form. Google Translate becomes your best friend, trust me.

Once you crack the code, the quality of care is generally excellent. Many expat friends agree, and a couple of my friends have had babies here in Portugal.  Their care has been wonderful, and their pediatricians are amazing.  The cost, even for private care, is often lower than what we were paying for insurance alone back in the States.

Cultural Immersion

Portuguese culture loves lively festivals and cherished traditions, and participating in local events fosters a sense of belonging. Whether it’s the vibrant Carnival or the traditional Fado music, exposing your children to these cultural gems enriches their global perspective.

It can take some time to get to know the culture beyond the shiny surface and tourist activities (which are also fun!).  Once you do, and are able to communicate in Portuguese at a basic level, these activities are so fun!  We’ve explored river beaches, small villages, cave tours, local restaurants, festivals and more.  Many activities are free or low cost, a benefit to the depressed economy.  They lack the glitz and glitter of the US, to be honest, but they come through with people genuinely having a wonderful time together, enjoying life and its simple pleasures.

Cuisine Adventure

From pastéis de nata to bacalhau, encourage your children to explore local delicacies. We love that we have the chance to take our kids out for a quick lunch date during lunch breaks in school and relish Portuguese meals together.

We also love that our kids are getting a real, homemade, healthy meal each day at school.  All food is made from scratch, including bread and vegetable soup, on the daily menu.  Guards make sure the younger kids eat before they go to play!  I am grateful their lunch breaks are two hours, not 30 minutes and they are cramming their food into their face as fast as possible. Portuguese food overall focuses on health and can, honestly, lack in flavor.  However, I appreciate the amazing fresh fish and the seasonally fresh ingredients (the strawberries here in season are better than any in the world!), and I can always add the salt my food might be lacking 🙂

Outdoor Living: Sun, Sea, And Sand

One of the biggest perks of raising kids in Portugal is the incredible outdoor lifestyle. As a family that loves adventure, we’ve found ourselves constantly drawn to the natural beauty this country offers.

Pros

1. 1. Beach days galore: With over 500 miles of coastline, we’re never far from a sandy paradise. Our kids have enjoyed many surf lessons, and weekends often mean impromptu trips to catch some waves or build sandcastles.
   
2. 2. Year-round outdoor play: The mild climate means playground dates and park picnics aren’t limited to just a few months. Our local park has become our second home!  The kids walk home after school and stop at the park most days to play.  Rain is the only limiter and is not very common, especially in the summer.
   
3. 3. Nature exploration: From the lush Sintra mountains to the rugged Algarve cliffs, there’s always a new hiking trail or natural wonder to discover with the kids.
   
4. 4. Active lifestyle: Biking, skateboarding, and playing football at school – our kids are constantly on the move, which is great for their health and energy levels.

Cons

1. 1. Sun safety concerns: With so much sunshine, we’re constantly slathering on sunscreen and reminding the kids to wear hats. It can feel like a never-ending battle!
   
2. 2. Seasonal crowds: During peak tourist season, our favorite beaches and parks can get pretty packed. It’s taught us to be creative in finding hidden gems.
   
3. 3. Bugs and critters: More outdoor time means more encounters with insects. Warmer climate also means more bugs to deal with at home (hello, cockroaches!).  This is no different than any other warm climate, and, thankfully, snakes aren’t really a thing here.
   
4. 4. Weather-dependent plans: While rare, rainy days can throw a wrench in outdoor plans, and many indoor alternatives aren’t as well-developed as in the US.  We have a trampoline park we like, but it can be swarmed with kids in bad weather.
   
5. 5. Lack of backyard space: Many Portuguese homes, especially in cities, don’t have private yards. Even our home, with a large backyard, doesn’t have the nice, American grass and doesn’t lend to a lot of outdoor play.

Despite the challenges, the pros of raising outdoor-loving kids in Portugal far outweigh the cons. Watching our children develop a deep connection with nature and an appreciation for the simple joys of outdoor living has been priceless. They’re growing up with sand between their toes, salt in their hair, and a sense of adventure in their hearts – and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Expat Support Networks

Building a support network with other expat families is a lifeline! I joined several local expat groups on Facebook (and online forums) and have attended community events.

If you need to navigate residency permits, taxes, and other administrative tasks, which can be daunting, it’s advisable to seek professional advice. There’s an awesome company called Moviinn that can be your personal moving hero. They’ll help you tackle all the tricky stuff like:

• * Visas (because nobody likes paperwork)
• * Taxes (ugh, am I right?)
• * Real estate (finding your perfect new place)
• * Essential services (getting you hooked up with all the basics)
• * Business incorporation (for you entrepreneurial types)
• * Investment advice (making your money work for you)
• * Citizenship (if you’re planning to stay for the long haul)
• * Employment (because we all need to pay the bills)

Just fill out this super easy form . You’ll get personalized guidance and assistance tailored just for what you need. Feel free to email me if you have any questions: leslie@americanfamilyinportugal.com 

Balancing Dual Identities

Raising children as expats in Portugal involves nurturing a dual identity. We encourage our children to appreciate both their native culture and the vibrant Portuguese lifestyle we’re enjoying right now. This balance fosters a global perspective and appreciation for diversity.

As an American family in Portugal, we’ve had our fair share of hilarious, heartwarming, and occasionally head-scratching moments trying to navigate this cultural tightrope. Here are some of our experiences:

1. 1. Language adventures: Our kids are becoming little linguists, effortlessly switching between English at home and Portuguese with friends. It’s both amusing and impressive to hear them explain American concepts in Portuguese or vice versa. Trying to explain some of our favorite holidays, like Halloween, can be a bit tough!
   
2. 2. Holiday mash-ups: If we aren’t traveling to the US for our favorite holidays (which we often do), we like to invite others over to enjoy our American traditions.  Each year we host a blow-out Halloween party that has become a tradition in our three years here.  Come June, we’re right there with the locals, enjoying festas downtown Lisbon for the Festa de Santo António. Our kids now expect Halloween trick-or-treating AND Carnival dress-up every year.
   
3. 3. Food fusion: Our pantry is a mishmash of American comfort foods and Portuguese staples. The kids love our American favorites (many of which I export myself, but can be found at stores like Flood) like taco night, enchiladas, mac and cheese, etc., but they’ve come to look forward to fresh fish and bitoque, a chicken or beef filet with egg on top.  We have to avoid soup at home, as they are getting it often at school (and it’s nearly mutiny if I try to have it for dinner also!), but I like to throw in some American soups, like chili and baked potato soup.  Our Portugese friends love them.
   
4. 4. Cultural comparisons: It’s fascinating to watch our children navigate different social norms. They’re learning when to greet with a handshake (very American) versus two kisses on the cheek and a hug (very Portuguese). Sometimes they get it mixed up, leading to some awkward but endearing moments!
   
5. 5. Sports divided: Soccer reigns supreme here, but we make sure to introduce our kids to American football and baseball too. Our boys went to a batting cage this summer for the first time in the USA and did well!  
   
6. 6. School life balance: With a two-hour lunch break, our kids are able to do many activities and sports during the school day.  I love this!  They go swimming, participate in chess and robotics clubs, and more during the day.  This leaves our evenings more open for piano lessons and jui jitzu some days of the week.  We aren’t running them around in the car all afternoon.  On the flip side, they don’t get home until 5 or 5:30 pm, so it’s a trade off!
   
7. 7. Travel perspectives: When we visit the U.S., it’s fascinating to see Portugal through our kids’ eyes. They notice things we take for granted, like the size of American cars or the prevalence of air conditioning.

Balancing dual identities isn’t always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Our kids are growing up with a broader worldview, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity that will serve them well in life. They’re not just American, not quite Portuguese, but global citizens in the truest sense.

As parents, we’re learning right alongside them, stumbling through Portuguese pronunciation and discovering new traditions. It’s a journey filled with laughter, occasional tears, and constant wonder. And isn’t that what family adventures are all about?

Top Places In Portugal To Raise Kids

Portugal provides an array of idyllic places where families can nurture happy and thriving children. From vibrant cities to charming coastal towns and historic gems, each locale offers a unique blend of amenities and experiences that fit the needs of families.

1. Lisbon: Urban Adventures With A Family Twist

Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, is not just for city enthusiasts but is also a fantastic place for families. Neighborhoods like Belém and Parque das Nações offer a blend of modern amenities, green spaces, and cultural attractions. Museums, parks, and a vibrant atmosphere make Lisbon an urban playground for young explorers.

We chose to settle here for the airport, the sports availability, and the capital city.  I love that music artists come to play concerts here (we enjoyed Taylor Swift in May!), and we can go to dinner at midnight, a common thing in Lisbon.  We also love the train near our house that our older kids take to school each day.

2. Cascais: Coastal Charm For Little Adventurers

Located along the Atlantic coast, Cascais is known for pristine beaches, family-friendly parks, and a charming old town. It is a haven for families seeking a blend of country and beach life. Imagine watching the sunset along the beach with kids.

Our oldest goes to school in Cascais, and it’s like a movie set.  It’s beautiful, albeit a bit expensive, and the home to many movie stars. Many expats flock here, and private schools are plentiful.

3. Porto: Riverside Bliss And Cultural Delights

Porto is known for its historic charm and iconic riverfront and is a wonderful place for families. The Ribeira district gives a blend of cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and a lively atmosphere. With family-friendly parks and boat rides along the Douro River, Porto invites families to explore its cultural tapestry.

Porto and the north is known to be a bit friendlier than Lisbon and the Algarve, which is a big plus.  The climate is cooler and tends to get more rain, but the warm attitudes can make up for this.

4. Funchal, Madeira: Island Paradise For Young Explorers

For families looking for an island escape, Funchal in Madeira is a top choice. With its botanical gardens, cable car rides, and family-oriented resorts, Funchal provides a unique setting for kids to connect with nature and enjoy a relaxed island lifestyle.

We visited Madeira and wanted to move there right away!  However, we are too settled (and have traumatized our kids too much) to up and move right away.  If you think you are a fit for island life, Madeira is wonderful!

5. Sintra: Fairytale Living In A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sintra’s enchanting landscapes and historic palaces make it an extraordinary place for families. The town’s fairytale-like ambiance, coupled with hiking trails in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, provides endless opportunities for exploration and imaginative play.

6. Coimbra: Academic Excellence And Family-Friendly Atmosphere

Home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, Coimbra strikes a balance between academic vibrancy and family-friendly amenities. With its botanical gardens, parks, and cultural events, Coimbra provides a stimulating environment for children to grow while enjoying a historical backdrop.

The Good Aspects And The Challenges

Good Aspects

1. 1. Many expats feel less anxious after moving to Portugal, considering it a good place to raise children.
   
2. 2. Children quickly adapt and learn Portuguese, often becoming bilingual.
   
3. 3. Public schools are inexpensive, with low-cost lunches (€1.49 per day) and affordable extended care (max €70/month).
   
4. 4. Parents feel their children are safer, especially at school.
   
5. 5. Many expats find Portugal more affordable, allowing for luxuries like regular beauty treatments and housekeeping help.
   
6. 6. Some parents transition from full-time jobs onsite to part-time home office, valuing family time.
   
   7. Living close to major airports and beautiful beaches enhances family experiences.

Challenges

1. 1. The healthcare system can be tricky to navigate, with long wait times in public hospitals.
   
2. 2. Even those with Portuguese roots may find themselves more “Americanized” than expected, leading to some culture shock.
   
3. 3. While children adapt quickly, parents may struggle with Portuguese, especially in school and healthcare settings.
   
   4. The first few months can be challenging as everything is new and requires learning.

How Does It Look For Us Now?

As we celebrate three full years in Portugal and reflect on raising our children in Portugal, we’re filled with gratitude for the rich experiences this beautiful country has offered our family. From navigating a new education system to mastering Portuguese, each challenge has strengthened our family bond and resilience.

To fellow expat parents considering Portugal, we say: Take the leap! The rewards of raising globally-minded children here far outweigh the initial uncertainties. Embrace the local traditions, indulge in the cuisine, and allow your kids to soak in the vibrancy of their new home.  Do not come to Portugal expecting your American life! Come with open hearts and minds to learn a new way of living, and you’ll come to appreciate life here.

Our Portuguese journey continues, and we’re excited for the memories yet to be made. Here’s to raising happy, curious, and culturally aware children in the heart of Portugal – an adventure we wouldn’t trade for anything!

Have you experienced life as an expat family in Portugal? Share your stories in the comments below. Até logo, and may your Portuguese adventure be as rewarding as ours!

Xoxo,

Leslie

Additional Reading

Getting Your Kids Into School in Portugal

Moving to Portugal Checklist

Furnishing Your Family Home in Portugal – Where To Buy