Living in Portugal and still not speaking Portuguese? You’re not alone.

Many expats arrive in Portugal and manage just fine with English (or Spanish). You can get a coffee, go to the pharmacy, even sort things at the bank — all without knowing a word of Portuguese. But eventually, something feels missing.

Living in a country without understanding what’s being said around you creates distance. You don’t catch the jokes, the stories, the everyday chatter. Over time, that disconnect grows and wears you down.

🗣️ Learning Portuguese is easier than you think

No need for grammar books or memorising verb tables. Learning Portuguese can be natural, light and enjoyable. Start small. Listen, try, get it wrong, try again. Step by step, the language starts to feel less foreign and more yours.

And the best part? Portuguese people love when someone makes the effort to speak their language. Even if you make mistakes, they’ll help, they’ll smile and appreciate it.

💡 3 things that change when you start speaking Portuguese

1. You gain independence.You can make a doctor’s appointment, ask for help or deal with everyday situations on your own.

2. You feel more connected.You understand how people express themselves, how they joke, how they think. You stop feeling like an outsider.

3. Portugal starts to feel like home.It’s no longer just the country you live in — it becomes part of who you are.

🎯 So… where to begin?

• Start by listening: podcasts, videos, music — every day.

• Ask friends and acquaintances to speak Portuguese to you

• Learn simple phrases you can use immediately.

• Join a course that’s flexible and welcoming (we happen to know one…).

✅ Conclusion

Don’t wait until you “have time”. You don’t need to be fluent to begin. Start today. Make mistakes. Speak with an accent. But speak. Portugal will feel much closer and more like yours.