In recent years, an increasing number of Chinese citizens have purchased property to immigrate to Portugal. After your immigration application is approved and you have settled down locally, besides enjoying Portugal's beautiful scenery and tasting the unique local cuisine, you should also learn more about daily life in Portugal to ensure your life after immigrating to Portugal goes more smoothly!
1. Portuguese Language
Beyond Portugal, many other countries in the world speak Portuguese! For example: Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Timor-Leste, etc. These countries were once discovered by Portuguese navigators and were under Portuguese rule for a long time. China's Macau region also uses Portuguese. It is the fifth most spoken language in the world, with over 200 million people using it. You cannot master Portuguese without hard work. Before going abroad, some people assume that once they are in a foreign country and immersed in the language environment, they will effortlessly overcome the language barrier.
2. Social Etiquette
When Portuguese men meet, they are accustomed to exchanging warm hugs and patting each other on the shoulder. When women who are familiar with each other meet, they are accustomed to kissing each other on both cheeks. They are also no strangers to shaking hands in social settings.
3. Business Etiquette
Do not schedule appointments with business professionals between noon and 3:00 PM, as most activities cease during this time. Booking appointments in advance is essential. If you are invited to a banquet, you do not necessarily have to bring a gift; the common practice of reciprocity is to invite your host to dine at a restaurant. Guests should avoid discussing politics and the government. It is polite to discuss family life, personal interests, etc., but being overly curious and inquisitive in conversation is considered impolite.
4. Dining Etiquette
The Portuguese often treat visitors to their famous local dish, "roasted pig intestines." They are fond of wine and are quite particular about the timing of when to drink it: typically, aperitif wine is consumed before a meal; digestive wine is drunk after a meal; white wine is paired with seafood; red wine is paired with meat; rosé wine is paired with cold appetizers; and sparkling wine is paired with desserts. They possess cooking skills comparable to the French; 365 days a year, they can prepare their national dish, dried cod, using different methods every day. They love visiting restaurants to taste delicious food. They generally prefer Western cuisine but also greatly appreciate Chinese food. They are accustomed to using knives and forks while dining.
5. The Portuguese People
The Portuguese have an open and cheerful personality; their emotions are sincere and delicate. They treat others with warmth and honesty, and are accustomed to being direct and forthright, unwilling to be evasive. They favor carnations, viewing them as a symbol of revolution and victory, often using them to congratulate one another, and they are also considered the national flower. They like lavender and amaranth, as these plants have both aesthetic and economic value and can bring happiness and joy to people.
6. Beliefs and Taboos
The vast majority of Portuguese are Roman Catholic, with a minority of Protestants and Jews. They are superstitious about "13" and "Friday," as people fear them, considering them symbols of misfortune and disaster. They dislike it when others inquire about their age, marital status, or financial income, believing these are personal matters and others have no right to interfere. They are wary of people who stare at them for a long time, viewing it as a sign of ill intent. They are reluctant to talk about politics or government issues.
7. Currency Exchange
Portugal has joined the European Union and uses the Euro. In the Portuguese exchange market, 1 Chinese Yuan is approximately equivalent to 0.12 Euros, 1 British Pound is approximately equivalent to 1.6 Euros, and 1 US Dollar is approximately equivalent to 0.8 Euros. There are many currency exchange points in Portugal, and foreign tourists can easily exchange currency there. Every city has 24-hour ATMs, VISA or MasterCard are universally accepted in Portugal, and traveler's checks are also very convenient to use.
8. Smoking
Smoking is permitted in many public places in Portugal, though it is strictly prohibited in some special areas, such as airports. Some public venues in Portugal even provide designated smoking areas, and you may even smoke while attending events or watching sports games.
9. Emergency Numbers
Portugal has a national emergency number: 112, which is used for police, fire, and other emergencies.
10. Education
The country implements 12 years of compulsory education, including basic education (4 years of primary school, 2 years of preparatory middle school, 3 years of junior high) and secondary education (3 years, equivalent to senior high school in China). Higher education lasts 4-5 years at a university. In 2005, the compulsory education budget was 4.791 billion Euros, and the higher education budget was 1.734 billion Euros. Among the population aged 25-64, only 20.6% have received a secondary education. The illiteracy rate in 2007 was 5.1%, making it one of the countries with a higher illiteracy rate in Europe. Major higher education institutions include the University of Lisbon, the University of Coimbra, the University of Porto, the Technical University of Lisbon, the University of Minho, the University of Aveiro, the University of Évora, and the National Institute of Administration. Among them, the University of Coimbra is world-renowned. Portugal has 289 museums, 1,960 libraries, 347 cinemas and theaters, and 306 galleries or exhibition halls of various types.
