European Portuguese for relocation: the complete guide to moving to Portugal

TL;DR: When planning to relocate to Portugal, learning European Portuguese is a sensible choice to make because it is the variety spoken in the country. While you can manage certain everyday situations in English, Portuguese is more useful when dealing with neighbours, services, shops, and local communities. European Portuguese also differs noticeably from Brazilian Portuguese, especially when it comes to pronunciation.

This guide covers what European Portuguese is, how it differs from the Brazilian variety, and which phrases to learn in what order, from the greetings you need in your first week to the housing, healthcare and workplace vocabulary you need once you have settled. It also flags the situations where language learning is not enough and professional translation is required.

Prospective residents should, however, understand that there is a notable difference between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese. While they are varieties of the same language, they are not identical in every way. For an easier transition, ensure you choose the version spoken where you intend to live.

Why should you learn European Portuguese before relocating to Portugal?

European Portuguese is the variety of Portuguese used in Portugal. This makes it the most relevant version for learners intending to live in Portugal. Memrise distinguishes European Portuguese from Brazilian Portuguese to ensure learners gain access to a version that best fits them.

The distinction between European and Brazilian Portuguese is particularly relevant when you move beyond being a tourist. While you can rely heavily on English during a short visit to Portugal, you will need to speak the exact language variant when living there. This is because you will find yourself in numerous situations where you must communicate without prior preparation.

In most cases, people relocating to Portugal will find themselves having to understand conversations at shops or respond to delivery drivers. You might also have to introduce yourself to a neighbour or explain what you need at a local shopping centre. While you don’t need advanced European Portuguese, a good working command of the language will give you more options when English is not spoken.

There is also a listening advantage to learning European Portuguese when moving to Portugal. This is because European Portuguese sounds more compressed, with unstressed vowels reduced more than they generally are in Brazilian Portuguese.



Is European Portuguese different from Brazilian Portuguese?

Yes. European Portuguese is different from Brazilian Portuguese. While they are varieties of the same language, their pronunciation and some aspects of usage differ. In particular, European Portuguese reduces some unstressed vowels that are more audible in Brazilian Portuguese.

This is important for learners relocating to Portugal because listening is part of effective communication. Instead of simply learning how to translate Portuguese words into English, you train yourself to recognise how people in Portugal speak.

However, this does not mean that learning Brazilian Portuguese is wasted effort. The two varieties remain forms of Portuguese, and there is substantial shared vocabulary and grammar. Learners moving to Portugal simply benefit more from learning European Portuguese because it introduces them to the variant they will encounter locally.

Learners should choose the most relevant variety to help make their relocation a pleasant experience. Consistently focusing on one variety also makes it easier to grasp the language rather than continually switching between Brazilian and European Portuguese.



What European Portuguese expressions should you learn first?

Instead of trying to learn everything at once, learners moving to Portugal can start by mastering common phrases in European Portuguese. This includes the following categories:

• Greetings and introductions: introducing yourself, saying hello, and asking someone’s name
• Numbers: useful for addresses, prices, dates, times, and telephone conversations
• Directions: understanding and being able to ask where places are
• Shopping: asking about sizes, availability, prices, and payment
• Food and drink: ordering in cafes, shops, and restaurants
• Housing: vocabulary related to rooms, homes, rent, and utilities
• Work: basic professional vocabulary relevant to your occupation
• Transport: understanding common travelling terms when moving around your area
• Polite expressions: including thanking people, asking for help, and apologising

Starting with the basics helps learners avoid becoming overwhelmed. They can slowly master what matters most before expanding their vocabulary. This helps them first understand the most common things they will encounter upon relocation.

Learning apps like Memrise offer a scenario-based approach to learning a new language. The European Portuguese course lists practical areas, including work, activities, basics, travelling, food, health, education, shopping, relationships, and social life. This allows learners to choose material that best matches their current needs.

This approach is relevant to people relocating to a new country because the language needs change as their move progresses. The phrases that help during the first few days may not be the same ones you need once you’ve settled in and started work. School and community interactions will also require you to learn new phrases and words.


Which European Portuguese phrases are most useful when you first arrive?

The most useful first phrases when relocating to Portugal are those that help you start, maintain and close simple interactions politely. These European Portuguese phrases should be able to help you greet someone, thank them, and apologise where necessary. Here are a few examples:

The exact wording will vary depending on context and formality. The above table should be treated as
a starting point instead of the complete guide to Portuguese etiquette.

One distinction that learners should understand is obrigado/obrigada. Portuguese uses different forms according to the gender of the person speaking. Learners should learn the form appropriate to themselves rather than assuming there is only one fixed version.


How can European Portuguese help with everyday life after relocating to Portugal?

European Portuguese becomes most valuable when you need to handle situations that are less predictable than a tourist interaction. Imagine you settle into an apartment and need to arrange a service or attend an appointment. While you might not need complex grammar, these situations require you to use language outside a textbook exercise.

These situations require learners to have good listening and speaking skills. Life in Portugal becomes easier when you can understand what the other person is saying in real time. This is especially helpful when they speak quickly or reduce sounds.

European Portuguese pronunciation can make this particularly noticeable to learners. Memrise includes native speaker videos to help learners hear words and phrases they study spoken by people using the variety of Portuguese in Portugal. This helps learners hone their listening skills, making their move easier.

This principle also applies to speaking. Rehearsing realistic situations before your move can reduce the amount of language you have to construct from scratch when you encounter similar situations.


What European Portuguese vocabulary do you need for housing and everyday errands?

For household and everyday errands, learners should focus on practical vocabulary for contracts, addresses, payments, appointments, and household services. These situations will require more precise communication than ordering food or introducing yourself. This is because you will mostly be dealing with documents and making arrangements during the interactions.

Here is some useful European Portuguese vocabulary for housing and everyday errands:

When relocating to Portugal, learners don't have to memorise every housing-related European Portuguese term. They can start with words they are more likely to encounter first. This provides them with a foundation, allowing them to add vocabulary as real situations introduce something unfamiliar.

This approach is also beneficial for preventing learners from becoming overwhelmed with words. Learning too many words can sometimes make it difficult for learners to combine the right words for specific situations. Practising phrases such as “Preciso de ajuda’” (I need help) gives you language that can be retrieved as a unit.

For anything involving a tenancy agreement, immigration document, or other legally significant paperwork, language learning should not be treated as a substitute for professional translation. This is important because new learners may not be certain about the meaning of a word or phrase.

How much European Portuguese do you need for healthcare?

You need enough European Portuguese to explain basic information, understand straightforward instructions and ask for clarification. However, the exact number of words you need depends on the situation.

Healthcare conversations can involve vocabulary that is unfamiliar even to learners with a reasonable general vocabulary. Words related to medication and symptoms are more specialised than the language used in ordinary conversations. Learners can start with the following practical expressions:

• Preciso de um médico: I need a doctor
• Tenho uma consulta: I have an appointment
• Não percebo: I don’t understand
• Pode repetir, por favor?: Can you repeat, please?
• Tenho uma pergunta: I have a question

The ability to say you don’t understand is important. It signals the doctor or healthcare professional to repeat what they have said or find a new way to communicate. It is a polite way of ensuring you know exactly what is happening.

What European Portuguese do you need at work?

The European Portuguese you need at work depends on your industry and workplace. It also matters if your role is conducted primarily in Portuguese or another language.

Learners working in an international environment may initially need less Portuguese than someone whose job involves communication with locals. Some of the basic European Portuguese workplace vocabulary includes the following:

• Reunião: meeting
• Trabalho: work
• Colega: colleague
• Chefe: boss
• Reunião online: online meeting
• Horário: schedule/hours
• Documento: document
• Prazo: deadline

You can also learn phrases to help you manage conversations. For instance, “Pode falar mais devagar?” translates to “Can you speak more slowly?” These phrases give you a way to keep a conversation going instead of immediately switching to English whenever comprehension becomes difficult.

If employment in Portugal is part of your relocation plan, you should learn vocabulary specific to your profession. However, do this after mastering general everyday phrases, which give you a strong foundation. Professional terminology gets much easier to absorb once you already understand the basic structures used around it.

It will also help to record recurring professional expressions at the workplace. Doing this lets you practise work situations, paying close attention to the language used in them. You can also consistently communicate with fellow employees in European Portuguese to increase your comprehension and vocabulary.

Frequently asked questions

Is European Portuguese difficult to learn?

European Portuguese can present challenges to learners, particularly with listening and pronunciation, but its difficulty varies from person to person. One reason why beginners may find spoken European Portuguese challenging is that unstressed vowels can be reduced, making words sound less like their written forms. Regular listening practice with natives can help you become familiar with these patterns.

Should I learn European or Brazilian Portuguese before moving to Portugal?

If you are moving to Portugal, European Portuguese is the more directly relevant variety to learn. European and Brazilian Portuguese share the same language foundation, but pronunciation, vocabulary, and some usage differ. Starting with European Portuguese helps you communicate better with the locals, making relocation seamless.


Can I live in Portugal without speaking Portuguese?

It is possible to manage certain situations when living in Portugal without speaking Portuguese. However, learning the local language gives you more confidence and independence. Basic European Portuguese can help with everyday communication, while developing your skills further can make it easier to participate in work, social, and community life.


What Portuguese phrases should I learn before moving to Portugal?

Start with polite expressions, greetings, introductions, numbers, and directions. Expressions such as “Por favor” (please) and “Obrigado/Obrigada” (thank you) give you a practical foundation for general everyday interactions. Learners can move to more complex expressions once they have mastered the basics.