Living in Portugal

Located at the extreme southwest of Europe, Portugal is constituted by the continental territory and two Autonomous Regions, the archipelagos of Madeira and Azores (Açores). The Continent is divided in 18 districts. Portugal’s total area is of 92,152 km2 and has around 10 million inhabitants. The Portuguese Republic borders Spain North and East and has an extensive maritime coastline South and West that bathes the Atlantic Ocean. The country’s capital is Lisbon (Lisboa) and the official language is Portuguese.

Portugal was founded in 1143, being one of the oldest countries in Europe. Until the 5th of October 1910, when Portugal became a Republic, Portuguese dynasties built a history of discoveries and conquests in Africa, India and Brazil. In 1926, the parliamentary regime was replaced by a military dictatorship giving origin in 1933 to the Estado Novo. The democratic regime was restored only on the 25th of April 1974 and, as a consequence, the following former Portuguese colonies were granted independence: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe. The Portuguese Republic joined the European Economic Community in 1986.

Political system

Portugal is a Parliamentary Republic with a President, elected by direct universal suffrage for 5 years. Government is formed by a Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister.

Principal political parties

Bloco de Esquerda, Partido Comunista Português, Partido Popular, Partido Socialista, Partido Social Democrata.

Currency

Since January 2002 the Euro has replaced the Escudo as the national currency.

Language

Portuguese is the third most spoken European language in the world (about 200 million people). Portuguese speaking countries are spread throughout the globe: Africa (Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe), South America (Brazil) and Asia (East-Timor).

Religion

Although Portugal is a laic country, most Portuguese citizens are Roman Catholic and most holidays have a religious character.

Climate

Continental Portugal in the summer is influenced by air masses associated with the tropical anticyclone of the Azores, which brings dry stable weather, and in winter it is influenced by air masses from the frontal systems of the middle latitudes low areas which bring unstable and rainy weather. Average temperatures in the Coast and Archipelagos are in winter 12ºC and in summer 21ºC. As for the inland and mountainous regions, in winter 5ºC and in summer 25ºC.

Time Zone

Portugal (continent) and the archipelago of Madeira have the same time as GMT (one our earlier than the Continental European Time – CET). In the Azores it is one hour earlier than in continental Portugal and Madeira. Twice a year the legal hour changes (in March and October). During summer, clocks are turned forward one hour and Portuguese time zone is equivalent to GMT+1.

Working (employees)

The normal workload is 40 hours per week, although the number of working hours may sometimes vary. The average time for lunch break, for an employee, is one hour. Regarding holidays, employees are entitled to 22 working days off, as well as to a holiday and Christmas allowance corresponding to the value of the salary received.

Cultural aspects of living in Portugal

Portuguese men normally shake hands when they meet. Women, on the other hand, usually give two kisses on the cheek. Men and women, when they meet, either shake hands or give two kisses, depending on how familiar they are with each other. Portuguese people are usually open to foreigners and willing to help.

Regarding sports, most Portuguese are great football supporters. The three main clubs are: Futebol Clube do Porto, Sporting Clube de Portugal and Sport Lisboa e Benfica. Additionally, all principal cities have a local club that they support.

There are many cultural activities and music festivals around the country. You may find information in the local Câmara Municipal (City hall) or in the Ministry of Culture website.

National holidays