Lisbon

Bureaucracy

AIMA, Loja do Cidadão Saldanha

The government one-stop-shop for residency, NIF, and social security. Bring everything twice. English forms exist but you'll need to ask. Mornings are calmer than afternoons.

English formsAppointment requiredCash only

Saldanha · By appointment

Accountant

Fresh Portugal

Accountants and lawyers under one roof, used to freelancers opening atividade and figuring out IRS as a foreigner. Monthly contabilista plans in English with quarterly reminders so you don't miss a Segurança Social deadline.

English supportFreelancer-friendlyMonthly plans

Saldanha · Mon to Fri 9 to 6

Pharmacy

Farmácia Estácio

Historic pharmacy on Rossio with staff used to translating prescriptions and pointing newcomers to the nearest 24-hour rota. Bring your número de utente once you have it; until then they'll still sort the basics.

English spokenCentralAccepts cards

Baixa · Open · until 8pm

Healthcare

Lusíadas Lisboa

Big private hospital with an international patient office and English-speaking specialists across departments. Direct billing with several global insurers; otherwise pay and claim. Book GP and specialist slots through their app.

English doctorsInternational insuranceOnline booking

Sete Rios · Open · 24h ER

Dental clinic

White Clinic

Expat-favourite dental practice where the whole team works in English and quotes come itemised up front. Pricier than the corner clinic, but the no-surprises billing is why newcomers keep recommending it.

English-speakingTransparent pricingOnline booking

Algés · Mon to Fri 9 to 7

Relocation & residency consultancy

Belion Partners

A residency and relocation consultancy that handles the practical side of moving to Portugal: visas, NIF and bank account setup, housing search support, and ongoing tax guidance. Works in English by phone, WhatsApp, video call, or at their Lisbon office.

English-speakingVisa supportHousing search

Saldanha · Mon to Fri, by appointment

International school

Carlucci American International School of Lisbon

American curriculum plus AP and IB options, on a large campus out in Sintra. Strong college-counselling office for families planning on US or international university applications. Factor in the commute if you're based in central Lisbon.

American curriculumIB & APEnglish-speaking

Linhó, Sintra · Mon to Fri, by appointment

Private school

Colégio de S. Tomás

Long-established private school teaching the Portuguese national curriculum with a bilingual track, across two campuses. Same exams as public school, smaller classes, a fraction of international-school fees.

Portuguese curriculumBilingual trackTwo campuses

Lumiar · Mon to Fri 8 to 14:30, 16 to 17

Private school

Colégio Moderno

Traditional, exam-focused private school in central Areeiro, teaching the Portuguese national curriculum from infantário through secondary. A structured, humanist alternative to the bigger international names.

Portuguese curriculumCentral locationExam-focused

Areeiro · Mon to Fri, by appointment

International school

Lycée Français Charles Lepierre

One of Europe's largest French schools, maternelle through terminale, leading to the French Baccalauréat. Central Campolide location means no commute out of town, and tuition generally runs lower than the British/American/IB schools.

French curriculumCentral locationBaccalauréat

Campolide · Mon to Fri, by appointment

International school

St. Dominic's International School

Full IB continuum from kindergarten through the diploma, on a smaller, more personal campus out toward Cascais. A favourite with families committed to IB from early years, not just the final two.

Full IB continuumEnglish-speakingSmaller campus

São Domingos de Rana, Cascais · Mon to Fri, by appointment

International school

St. Julian's School

Portugal's largest and longest-established British school, British curriculum through IGCSE and IB, right on the Cascais line. The default pick for British and IB-track families; popular year groups run waitlists, so apply well before you land.

British curriculumIBEnglish-speaking

Carcavelos · Mon to Fri, by appointment

Language school

CIAL Centro de Línguas

Long-running Portuguese school with small group courses, intensive options, and evening classes built around working schedules. They also prep the A2 exam you'll need for citizenship down the line. In-person or online.

European PortugueseEvening classesCitizenship A2 prep

Saldanha · Mon to Fri 9 to 8

Handyman & cleaning

Clean Me Cleanhouse

A handyman-and-cleaning team covering Lisbon, Cascais and Estoril: furniture assembly, plumbing and electrical fixes, drain unclogging, and regular or move-out cleaning. The team works in English, Portuguese, Ukrainian and Russian, and takes bookings over WhatsApp.

English-speakingHandymanHome cleaning

São Domingos de Rana, Cascais · By appointment (WhatsApp)

Coworking

Second Home Lisboa

Jungle-themed coworking inside the Mercado da Ribeira, wall-to-wall with plants and an events calendar that's an easy way to meet other newcomers. Day passes, hot desks, and private studios. Lunch is the Time Out Market downstairs.

Day passesEventsEnglish-speaking

Cais do Sodré · Open · until 8pm

Gym

Solinca Marquês

Large chain gym with classes in English on weekday evenings, day-pass for €15, and a sauna that locals don't know about. Contracts in English, can be paid with a non-Portuguese card.

English-speaking staffDay passesAccepts foreign cards

Marquês de Pombal · Open 24h

Gym

VivaGym Saldanha

Budget national chain (formerly Fitness Hut) with branches all over town and no minimum commitment. The app and sign-up are in English; pay with a foreign card. Good first gym while you're still figuring out where you'll actually live.

No lock-inEnglish appAccepts foreign cards

Saldanha · Open 24h