When you visit Portugal on holiday, you already feel it: that slow, gentle rhythm of life. But what happens when you actually move here?
Turns out: quite a lot.
1. The rhythm of life: slow, slower, slowest
In Belgium, everything moves at lightning speed. Quick lunches, tightly scheduled meetings, people walking fast as if they’re always late for something.
In Portugal, life unfolds at a much gentler pace. Meals are long and social and being “late” actually means “right on time.” It took me a while to adjust. As a Belgian, I tend to arrive 10 minutes early. Here, people show up at least 10 minutes “late.” My first year, I spent quite a bit of time waiting 🙂
Somehow, it also feels like people here don’t like to say no, or maybe they just don’t really know their own planning. Whether it’s a friend dropping by or a handyman promising to come over: you’ll often hear “yes, yes, I’ll be there”… and then no one shows up.
The next day: “Yes, yes, I’ll come at 9.” Then: “Actually, 10.” Then: “This afternoon.” And still… no one.
As an efficiency-minded Belgian, that took a lot of adjusting. 🙂
Is it a matter of not wanting to commit, over-enthusiasm, or simply not caring that much? Or maybe… just a healthier approach to time altogether?
2. The art of simple meals
In Portugal, a simple local lunch feels like a real food fest. Grilled fish or meat with a salad, potatoes and a glass of vinho verde: simple, seasonal, and full of flavor. Oh, and bread. Always bread. My god, so much bread.
Cheap and heavy lunches are truly a local thing here. Not every tourist or expat dares to step into the small neighborhood bars, but oh my; once you do, there’s no turning back. Big plates, low prices, simple and tasty local food. Be ready for loud conversations, harsh fluorescent lighting, and happy, half-drunk regulars sipping their 10th medronho of the day. The vibe is real and unfiltered. I love it.
3. The West Coast weather
The weather… it’s kind of a thing. Here on the West Coast, you get a bit of everything: beautiful, calm mornings with no wind, then heavy winds in the afternoon, burning sun, and by evening it suddenly gets so humid that it feels freezing cold.
My body was pretty used to cold weather back home, but this constant shifting makes my system feel like it’s always trying to catch up. My friends were surprised to find so many hoodies and fleeces in my closet here. Well… it’s complicated 🙂
4. Bureaucracy & paperwork
Ah yes, here it comes. No blog about moving to Portugal without mentioning bureaucracy.
I’ve learned to approach it with patience, a smile, and a willingness to come back amanhã.
Things that would literally take just a few minutes (and happen online) in Belgium, can take ages here. My god. Efficiency seems non-existent.
Be prepared for multiple in-person appointments before anything gets done. And just when your patience is hanging by a thread, and you’re told that you can finally pick up your document, it goes like: “Oops, the printer is broken. Come back after the weekend.” Sure. No problem. (awkward laugh)
5. Community life
Perhaps the biggest gift Portugal has given me is a stronger sense of community. Even though I’m not a local and still see things as an outsider, I can feel a way stronger “togetherness”. People are more social, ages and status doesn’t matter so much. I see the teeneigers hang out with the oldies and all get drunk together in the same bar 🙂 Neighbors know each other, there is time for small talk. Family bonds are stronger, people seems to be more integrated. And oh, I love the local markets: these are real meeting points where you can easily hang around for hours.
6. Health care
Damn, this is kind of a thing. In Belgium, we’re so used to simply walk into a doctor’s office, being seen quickly, and having most costs reimbursed.
Over here is a national healthcare system that, on paper, seems wonderful: free doctor visits for everyone (residents/locals). But in reality, it’s a bit shaky. People often have to wait months and months to get an appointment.
There is private healthcare, but it’s expensive. You need a good insurance and to be honest, that insurance is even more expensive and the quality can sometimes be a bit questionable. If you have the option to keep a good health insurance from your home country, then don’t let go of it too easily. It’s definitely worth something. (I wasn’t so smart to do that, unfortunately…)
That being said, I’ve had good experiences here with both Portuguese and international doctors. There are quite a few who work independently, do a damn good job and aren’t tied to these private insurances.
7. Cars, cars, cars
What about those cars? Second-hand cars here are more like sixth-hand. They’re often 20+ years old, with questionable engines and body parts held together like a patchwork from at least five different models. It’s almost art 🙂
My first car here? Let’s say… adventurous.
I paid way too much for it and thought I scored a decent deal. It lasted one year…
Starting that car always came with a sprinkle of uncertainty. Sometimes I could drive it 3 times a day, the 4th? Forget it. It would not start. At all.
Picture me at the gas station, trying to act casual while internally praying the thing would start again. Slightly stressed, you get the vibe.
Why is this so common? I assume the second-hand market is just way bigger here and out of balance, since most people can’t afford a brand-new car. (I know I can’t 🙂 ).
If you have the chance to import your car from abroad?
Look into it. Seriously.
Bottom line?
Moving to Portugal didn’t just change my address: it changed my pace, my priorities, and my perspective in a good way.
Yes, some parts are less efficient and a bit more rough. But in the end, isn’t that exactly what I was looking for?
I share more about daily life, tiny discoveries, and Portugal adventures over on Instagram. Feel free to follow along 👉 @gosto_blog
Portugal, Unplugged 
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