USEFUL INFORMATION
Location
Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal, which is located in the southeast part of Europe and includes the archipelagos of Azores and Madeira (located in the Atlantic Ocean).
Weather
In Lisbon, winter is mild, and summer is hot but somehow moderate due to the proximity to the sea. There are many sunny days with mild temperatures during spring and autumn.
Demographics
Portugal has about 10 million and 300 thousand inhabitants. About three million people live in the region of Lisbon, and Lisbon itself has about 600 thousand inhabitants.
Language
Portuguese, the world’s third most widely spoken language, spoken by about 250 million people.
Currency
Portugal’s official currency is the Euro.
Housing
Real estate agencies and newspapers are an excellent way of finding premium housing to rent or buy. Always look for ads posted with the reference “Authorized broker”.
Healthcare
In Portugal, healthcare is provided by the National Health Service (SNS), which includes Healthcare Centres and Public Hospitals. Emergency Services must be used in serious situations.
Permanent Assistance (24 hours a day): 808 24 24 24
Education System
The Ministry of Education and Science is responsible for the Portuguese education system – with support from the Ministry of Solidarity and Social Security, in matters that concern preschool education. There is also a wide network of private educational institutions, namely international schools.
Equivalency / Recognition of Degrees
To get equivalency between your qualifications and those qualifications that are recognized in Portugal, please contact:
– CIREP, with the Ministry of Education and Science (in Lisbon), if your qualifications are primary or secondary education.
– NARIC Portugal, if you have a higher education degree
Electricity
Electrical grid: 230 / 400 volts, frequency of 50 hertz. Power plugs are according to European standards.
Telecommunications
There are public phone booths that can be used with coins or specific cards that are sold in speciality stores, post offices or marked kiosks or tobacco stores. To make a call from Portugal to another country, please dial 00, country code and city code, and then the number.
USEFUL CONTACTS
National Reference Point for Qualifications
NARIC Portugal
National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education
Citizen’s Portal
European Job Mobility Portal
Institute of Employment and Training
Authority for Working Conditions
EU Immigration Portal
Foreign Service and Borders
Official Portal of the European Union
Government of Portugal
Invest Lisboa
Lisbon City Council
Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Embassies in Lisbon