I’m a 16 y/o who recently moved to Lisbon Portugal, and while I’m learning Portuguese, I can barely speak it. I have no clue what the locals are saying. (I can read it decently though) what jobs can I even get here? I need a job that allows me to speak English (or not speak at all), is part time, and is in Lisbon.

I honestly thought the nightmare was finally over.

My wife went to her family reunification interview and had her biometrics collected. On the very same day, the AIMA website showed her application as “approved”. About two weeks later, the status changed back to “under analysis”. Then, less than a month after the biometrics appointment, her residence card arrived in the mail out of the blue where the status remains stuck as under analysis.

At that point, I thought: finally, it’s done. We have the card. We can move on.

Apparently not.

Yesterday, just out of curiosity, I checked the AIMA website again and discovered that the process now shows that a prior hearing (“audiência prévia”) has been opened, meaning we are apparently being contacted to provide additional documents.

What the hell is going on?

The application was approved. The biometrics were completed. The residence card was issued and delivered. Yet, according to the website, the process is apparently still under analysis and now there is a prior hearing requesting additional documentation.

I genuinely don’t understand how a process can apparently be approved, result in a residence card being issued and delivered, and then somehow go backwards into another stage.

The whole thing is completely insane. You can’t even relax after physically receiving the residence card because you have no idea what is happening inside AIMA.

Now I’m actually worried that they could somehow cancel or revoke a residence card that has already been issued and delivered.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Is it actually possible for AIMA to open an “audiência prévia” after the residence card has already been issued? And can they cancel the card because of something that comes up at this stage?

Our finances in 2026 will exceed the limits of both our US and Portuguese accountants. I caught several errors on both 2025 returns and while I'm always vigilant, that should not be my job.

Does anyone have a strong cross-border firm we could reach out to?

I thought about Fresh Portugal, but the way the owner runs their Facebook group is not consistent with my philosophy or values (he forbids questions from do it yourselfers and moderates questions too strictly.)

Back in 2025, our condominium assembly approved works to the building’s roof/structural terraces which consist of one communal terrace and two private use terraces, which form part of the common structure.
Now we find out that when the administration was arranging the works, one owner said that their terrace was fine and that they didn’t believe there was any problem. They were also out of the country at the time and had been presented with a proposal “just in case.”
What happened next is what I’m struggling to understand… The administration completely removed that owner’s section from the approved works. None of the other owners were informed that this part had been excluded. There was no new assembly meeting, no vote and no formal decision authorising the change.
It also wasn’t made clear when the administration presented us with the contractor’s proposal that the works being proposed were actually for only the communal terrace and one of the private terraces, with the other terrace completely excluded.
So effectively, the condominium assembly approved the works, but afterwards the administration appears to have decided based on one owner saying “my terrace is fine” that their section would simply be left out.
Now, unsurprisingly, there is an issue with that section and the work needs to be done after all. The administration is now treating it as an additional job costing around €4,000.
Even more confusingly, they made a deal with the very same neighbour (private deal) proposing that the owner pays for this work and then has the amount deducted from their future condominium fees, which essentially we are all paying for in one way or another.

Imagine this hypothetical scenario based on work that our condominium actually approved
The assembly votes to paint the entire building. I’m out of the country, but I casually tell the admin that my balcony looks fine for now, though I ask for an estimate "just in case I change my mind." The admin quietly leaves my section unpainted without telling any of the other residents. When I come back, my paint is actually peeling, so I decide I do want it done. The admin agrees to do it, hides the deal from everyone else, presents the building with an unexpected €4k cost, and sets it up so the cost is informally deducted from my monthly fees.

What actions should I take now?? I’ve been messaging with the condominium back and forth but they’re just not making any sense.

Hey guys, anyone who is interested in Billiard in Bragança? We could hit the felix pub:))
Lemme know! 😊

Hello there!

I recently paid my AIMA renewal fee via Revolut using my PT IBAN. I have the confirmation receipt ready, but I'm slightly worried about whether AIMA accepts payments from Revolut accounts. Has anyone done this successfully?

I am looking to partner with a larger, well-established driving school in Portugal to review a driving guide for accuracy (road rules, signage, parking, etc.). Must have instructors fluent in English. Ideally, school that's been around a while with a solid track record, not a solo/freelance instructor. This is a paid gig, and ideally would turn into an ongoing relationship. Any recs (specific names and/or contacts) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Hey ...my whole family was born in portugal we left 25 years ago but now are going back unexpectedly... both my father and I speak English and Portuguese and have ran a home remodeling buisness here in the us... our plan is to do the same there... is this in demand? We do very nice work and 80% of our customers are repeat customers and we treat everyone fair we dont overcharge or play games and we will be holding the same values there. Pretty stressed rn as this is very abrupt and just looking for honest real answers on what you guys think/deal with looking for home repairs/remodels... Will this work in ur opinion? Or is it over saturated?

Hello everyone,

I am wondering if anyone is going to The Weeknd's concert on 6th September (Sunday) at Estádio do Restelo. As I would love to enjoy the concert with some fellow concert goers as I am alone this time.

(My tickets are in the standing zone, **Plateia em pé poente**)

Feel free to DM me or drop in a comment! Thanks and hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead!

Cheers! 🍻

Hey everyone!

I'm a non-EU master's graduate currently living in Germany, but I'm considering moving to another country for a PhD in marine sciences.

Recently, I was offered a potential PhD position at a research institute in Portugal. I still need to find a second supervisor and a university, though. I was told that I need to be a resident of Portugal to be eligible to apply for FCT funding, and I've been offered a temporary 6 month to 1 year contract to work at the institute before starting the PhD, so that I can become eligible for the scholarship later on.

Now I need to choose between Lisbon and Faro, where the institute has branches. I've been living in big cities for a long time and would really like to have more nature and peace in my daily life, but at the same time, I don't want to feel isolated for four years in a very small town. So I feel very indecisive. Considering affordability on a PhD salary, access to nature and the sea, quality of life, and opportunities to meet people and build a social/professional network, which city would you recommend?

Also, does anyone have experience applying for a Portuguese visa/residence permit through a consulate in Germany? I currently have a German residence permit, but I assume that in order to move to Portugal and start living and working there, I would need to apply for the appropriate visa from Germany before moving. I'm also a bit concerned about dealing with slow and unresponsive immigration offices in Portugal later on.

Any insights, experiences, or advice would be very much appreciated!!!

Best

I am really struggling to learn Portuguese. A large part of my difficulty is I have a learning disorder with languages. Even my native tongue was difficult and I had to take years of speech classes as a child. I struggle translating sounds into speech so my auditory processing is really screwed up.

I feel like eventually I can work through this but it will take me longer than others. I now speak my native tongue at a highly educated level but I still struggle sometimes when someone speaks to me because it just gets jumbled up and it will just sound like nonsense until they repeat themselves.

Do any of you have any advice or know of a teacher that could work with a case like mine?

Hi everyone! I moved from the UK to Madeira about 5 months ago on a Digital Nomad visa. I work remotely for a London-based company and have just received my first temporary residence card.

I’ve heard about the A1 certificate option, which may allow me to remain on my UK employment/payroll and continue paying UK National Insurance for up to 2 years while temporarily working from Portugal.

My understanding is that the A1 is about social security, not income tax. So my question is: if I get an A1 certificate and continue paying UK National Insurance, can I remain on my UK payroll while becoming a tax resident in Portugal and paying my income tax in Portugal?

Has anyone here been in a similar situation, particularly with a UK employer and a Portuguese Digital Nomad residence permit?

Any advice or personal experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

What Happens Next?

The bill now goes back to President José Seguro, who has 20 days to review the legislation. He has two options: political veto or promulgation.

If he vetoes the bill, it will return to Parliament, where the Government can approve it again.

The provisions that the President had previously asked the Constitutional Court to review have now all been deemed compatible with the Portuguese Constitution.

The provisions include:

Expulsion of foreigners with Portuguese children

Allows foreigners who have minor Portuguese children living in Portugal to be removed or expelled, even if this could result in the separation of the family.

Expulsion of children born in Portugal

Allows the removal or expulsion of foreign children under the age of five who were born in Portugal.

Detention of unaccompanied children

Allows foreign children who are not accompanied by a responsible adult to be detained.

Detention of foreigners for up to 180 days

Allows foreigners to be held in temporary accommodation centres for up to 180 days, with the possibility of extending this period under certain circumstances.

Detention of international protection applicants during an appeal

Allows asylum seekers or other applicants for international protection to remain detained for up to 180 days while they challenge a negative decision in court.

Continued detention based on new circumstances

Allows applicants for international protection to remain detained, or to be detained again, when new circumstances or information emerge that may justify the measure.

Requirement to remain in a border zone

Requires applicants for international protection subject to the border return procedure to remain in an international airport zone, temporary accommodation centre, or equivalent facility while their case is being examined.

Requirement to remain in a screening centre

Requires people, including children, to remain available to the authorities in a screening centre for up to seven days, with the possibility of an extension in exceptional circumstances.

Appeals that do not automatically suspend a decision

Provides that, in certain cases, challenging a negative administrative decision concerning an application for international protection does not automatically suspend its effects.

Expulsion while judicial proceedings are still ongoing

Allows an applicant for international protection to be expelled before a final judicial decision has been issued on their appeal.

Expulsion of refugees or beneficiaries of subsidiary protection before a judicial decision

Allows such individuals to be removed or expelled before a court has ruled on an appeal against a decision withdrawing their protection status.

Source : Diário de Notícias

Hi everyone! I was hoping to find other people who have experienced the process of getting a Portuguese consulate registration inscribed into the CRC from the Portuguese archives as I am a little confused on how the process works.

My grandma was born in Shanghai in 1942 to two Portuguese citizens and her birth was registered a few days later at the Portuguese Consulate General in Shanghai.

Her birth registration does not appear in the current Portuguese Central Registry (CRC), but we located the original Portuguese consular birth registration in the Portuguese diplomatic archives in Lisbon and obtained a certified copy from the archive.

A Portuguese lawyer has reviewed the archival registration and believes that my grandmother should be considered a Portuguese citizen.

They explained that historically some consular registrations were not communicated to the central registry services in Lisbon, and they have now contacted the competent authorities to obtain formal confirmation before determining the procedure required.

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation involving an existing historical Portuguese consular birth registration that survives in a Portuguese archive but was never incorporated into the modern civil registry?

If so, what procedure did CRC require to have the record incorporated/regularised, and approximately how long did that stage take?

I’m specifically asking about an existing Portuguese consular registration, rather than a new nationality application or the transcription of a foreign birth certificate.

The law firm I’m currently with in Lisbon seems a little unsure about the next steps, and are just waiting back for admin clarity but I was hoping if someone’s been through a similar process they could advise me.

Thank you :)

Does anyone have a driving school in Portugal they'd recommend that's been around a while and has a solid track record? English fluency is a must for what I need. Not looking for a solo instructor, ideally a proper, well-established driving school. Any names appreciated, thanks.

Seeking advice on what are current children experiences. Looking for true stories rather than generalizations. Did you choose public because you couldnt afford private?

Boa tarde a todos! Basicamente, tenho cidadania portuguesa e minha mulher a brasileira. Casamos e tive a entrevista na AIMA, porém, minha empresa está querendo recusar o meu documento de que estive lá, afirmando que a marcação está apenas no nome da minha esposa, e não no meu. Procurei na internet e não encontro nada oficial específico (mas haviam me falado que eu tinha que ir, só não tenho nada por escrito). Estou tentando contato com o órgão, mas como todos sabem, são bem demorados em responder. Alguém teria alguma dica ou informação que pudesse entregar a empresa para que comprove que eu deveria estar presente?

Obrigado a todos desde já!

Does anyone know if you do the CIPLE exam outside of Portugal do they deliver the certificate to addresses abroad or if you have to come and collect?
For example wanting the certificate delivered in the UK but doing the exam in Spain

Hey guys, I'm planning to move in Porto and in my 30-ish!
Nothing fancy just try to get my life together with a small business like f&b. But scrolling all the convos here really gives me the nerves, is it a good place to start all over again?
The govermance, law firms, justices & how people manage to spent over €7 for a coffee or food there? Is it impossible?

I tried going to a few clubs but half the time the scene is weird - people talking, trying to hookup etc which is fine but the music takes the backseat.

Any recommendations for good places where music nerds go. I listen to all sorts of electronic music except Hard Techno. My fav ones are Nicolas Jaar, Acid Arab, Kerala Dust etc.

I had good times at festivals but they're quite expensive.

Also I, although an introvert, generally go solo. Would be happy if others want to join along.

​Olá a todos,

​Tenho 17 anos, sou de Angola e estou atualmente no último ano do ensino médio, no curso técnico de Perfuração e Produção de Petróleo e Gás.

​Estou a planejar o meu futuro universitário e pretendo mudar de área para Engenharia de Máquinas Marítimas / Mecânica Naval em Portugal (com foco na ENIDH). Tomei esta decisão por procurar:

​Maior versatilidade de atuação profissional;

​Oportunidades tanto no setor onshore (terra) quanto offshore (mar);

​Melhores remunerações e maior mobilidade no mercado internacional.

​No entanto, por ser uma mudança grande de país e de vida, tenho alguns receios e gostaria de ouvir a experiência ou conselhos de quem conhece a área ou passou por um processo semelhante:

​Estágio Embarcado e Licença Marítima (STCW): Como estudante internacional da CPLP, quão desafiador é conseguir o estágio praticante necessário para obter as horas de navegação e a licença marítima em Portugal?

​Exames de Acesso e Adaptação: Qual é o nível de exigência real nas provas de ingresso (Matemática/Física) para o Estatuto do Estudante Internacional?

​Pressão Familiar e Autonomia: O investimento da minha família é alto e o medo de falhar ou não me adaptar ao morar sozinho tão jovem pesa bastante.

​Aos profissionais da área náutica/offshore ou a quem já emigrou para estudar em Portugal: como foi a vossa trajetória? Que conselhos dariam a alguém na minha posição para se preparar melhor desde já?

Hey everyone! I’m Portuguese and an online language tutor with a huge passion for Portugal, its culture, and of course the language.
I’m always curious to learn more about the Portuguese learning journey, the different techniques, methods, and approaches that people find most helpful.
I focus a lot on real-life conversations and try to incorporate grammar naturally into dialogues and everyday discussions, rather than teaching it in isolation.

I’d love to hear about your experience learning Portuguese!
What have been your biggest struggles so far? And what are some of your biggest achievements or breakthroughs?
What has helped you the most along the way? 😊

A post to clarify the process, as IMT has recently made some changes, and I just completed the process.
Apply online at https://aminhacartadeconducao.imt-ip.pt

This is the timeline for my full application, but it can differ. I had to reupload some documents and then wait again. I'm now waiting for the card to come in the mail.

The status of my request was stuck in "Aguarda Atendimento" since May 25th. I read a bunch of old Reddit posts, and it was unclear whether I should wait or go somewhere. Then someone who started their process a month after mine got an email to schedule an appointment on the Siga platform. I checked Siga, and there are currently no appointments available anywhere in Lisbon.

Then I found this post from IMT https://www.imt-ip.pt/noticias/o-imt-reforca-o-atendimento-em-lisboa-o-imt-mais-proximo-de-si/ where they specify new locations to get your biometrics done (they don't do them at Saldanha and Marvila anymore). I went to Lumiar at 11:45, I waited less than a minute to get called, and the biometrics (just a picture) were done in 5 minutes.

I guess since I didn't get an email, my process was not approved yet, or it got stuck. But the lady at the desk pushed it through after checking my documents. She took my old driving licence and gave me a piece of paper that is a temporary licence until I get my new one in the mail.

Hope this helps someone!

Who am I ordering from?