🍾 The Expat Hustle Turns 1! 🎂 Now Pack Your Autumn Day-Trip Bag

Happy Sunday, expat family! 😎

🎂 The Expat Hustle is 1 year old today! 🎉

Thank you for reading, sharing, and being part of this journey. Whether you've been here since issue one or this is your first time—welcome! You're exactly where you need to be as we kick off year two with more hacks, more humor, and more bureaucracy breakdowns.

Today's monthly-ish Hustle Lite edition takes you exploring another gorgeous, perhaps lesser-known corner of Portugal with our wonderful guide Marga from Discover Portugal.

Plus, we’re keeping things easy-peasy in the Back-to-Basics section, inspired by all the tech questions (and hero-level tips) you shared in last week’s survey. 🙌

On the menu today:

Let’s dive in, shall we?

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Casa de Serralves in Porto is a striking pink Art Deco mansion completed in 1940 and is considered the most notable example of Art Deco architecture in Portugal. It was commissioned by Carlos Alberto Cabral, the 2nd Count of Vizela, as a luxurious summer residence, and today it is part of a vibrant cultural complex featuring a contemporary art museum and expansive, lush gardens with over 200 plant species. Interior highlights include work by top designers such as René Lalique and Edgar Brandt, making it a unique showcase of 1930s opulence and style.

Need more? Marga from Discover Portugal shares why you must put this beauty on your bucket list — keep scrolling! 👇✨

Quick AIMA Update on Residency Renewals

So we’ve been waiting for our daughter’s residency renewal since December 2023, and if you’re in the same boat, here’s the deal: Portugal created a special task force (EMAIMA) to tackle the mountain of renewals, and their system is basically the following 4 steps… wait, wait some more, and absolutely do not contact them, and they’ll email you when it’s your turn. In short, if your card expired before June 2025, patience is the policy. 🍷 May the force be with us all.

Golegã National Horse Fair

Braga Brick Fan Event

BrickWorld: LEGO Exhibition

27th International Conventual Sweets & Liqueurs Exhibition

Dia de São Martinho (St. Martin's Day)

Xira Wine Fest

MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix

International Hot Air Balloon Festival (FIBAQ)

Lisbon Art Weekend

Today’s local travel tip is brought to you by Marga from Discover Portugal. Last time, she whisked us away to the dreamy village of Cacela Velha — a quiet, whitewashed gem overlooking the Ria Formosa.

This week, she’s taking us north to Porto for something completely different. A cultural icon that blends art, nature, architecture, and a splash of pastel-pink glamour: the Serralves Museum and Villa.

From world-class contemporary art and peaceful gardens to an elegant Art Deco mansion and even a treetop walk (plus farm animals), Marga shares why Serralves is a must-visit for anyone exploring Portugal.

You’ll find her guide just below. And if this spot jumps straight onto your must-see list, don’t miss her full blog artilcle on the Serralves Musem and even more travel inspiration and hidden gems across Portugal.

*This article has been lightly edited for clarity and style.

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If you love art, architecture, and nature, the Serralves Museum in Porto is one of the best places to spend a day. It's part of the Serralves Foundation, and you can easily spend several hours seeing everything.

Here, you’ll find not just one museum, but several!

Discover the Museum of Contemporary Art, the pink Art Deco Serralves Villa, the House of Cinema, and an 18-hectare park. The treetop walk is a must, and kids will love the farm animals! (It was my favourite part too… ssshhh).

The modern museum building was designed by award-winning architect Álvaro Siza Vieira. It looks beautiful, and it blends into its natural surroundings. Inside, you'll find ever-changing temporary exhibitions, so each visit feels fresh and new.

Current and upcoming highlights include:

After the museum, you can explore Serralves Park, which is a highlight in its own right. There are plenty of sculptures, you can cross the treetop walk, visit the small farm, and relax at the beautiful tea house.

The Serralves Foundation is around 30 minutes from Porto’s city centre. Take buses 200, 201, 202, or 207 from São Bento Station, or hop in a taxi or an Uber (about 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic).

Serralves is very close to Foz do Douro, a beautiful coastal area where the Douro River meets the Atlantic. It's a great spot to unwind after your museum visit.

Enjoy a beach walk along Praia do Carneiro, or even a swim on a good day.

The sunset views from the Pérgola da Foz are stunning, and there are many options for an unforgettable dinner. InDiferente, Brasão Foz Brewery, and Casa Vasco are among our favourites. Enjoy!

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With thanks to our collaborator for today’s travel article. Marga is a Dutch travel writer, photographer, and Portugal expert who founded Discover Portugal after falling in love with the country during a 2019 visit and relocating to Lisbon permanently in 2021. With over 25 years of travel experience and a background in tourism, aviation, and tech—including nearly eight years as an international flight attendant—Marga combines her storytelling skills, local insights, and photography expertise to help travelers discover both Portugal's famous sights and hidden gems. Through her website and personalized services, she offers travel planning assistance, Lisbon photography sessions, and authentic stories from her ongoing exploration of every corner of Portugal, helping curious travelers experience the country like a local rather than a tourist.

If last week’s survey on tech headaches taught me anything, it’s that I wasn’t the only one completely baffled when we landed in Portugal four years ago. From banking apps that refused to download to mysterious error messages in Portuguese, we’ve all been there.

The good news? Between your survey responses and our own hard-won lessons, I’ve pulled together some answers to questions that trip expats up most often: from MBWay mysteries to streaming woes and dual-SIM survival hacks.

Still stuck on something digital, Portuguese-style? Hit reply and tell me what’s driving you nuts, or take part in last week’s survey to help us build the ultimate newcomer’s survival guide.

1. Can’t download Portuguese banking apps from your home App Store?

That’s because Apple and Google restrict apps by region. Your U.S./U.K. account won’t show Portuguese banking apps unless you change your store region or create a local account. For now, you can use the bank’s website or create a new account tied to Portugal.

2. Do I really need a Portuguese phone number for MB Way or other bank apps?

Not always! MB Way officially supports international numbers if your foreign SIM can receive SMS. Some banks do insist on a local number for security, but others are happy with your roaming phone as long as it gets text codes.

3. Why won’t my foreign number link to my bank account?

Banks want to send secure one‑time codes. If your number doesn’t reliably receive those or is a virtual service like Google Voice, they may refuse it. In that case, a Portuguese SIM is the easiest fix.

4. My US/UK streaming and payment apps don’t work. What gives?

Venmo and Cash App simply aren’t available in Europe, and U.S. streaming services geo‑block viewers outside their licensed regions. Within the EU, some subscriptions (Netflix EU) travel with you, but U.K. services like BBC iPlayer don’t post‑Brexit. Uber, though, works anywhere it operates.

5. How do I avoid “not available in your region” messages?

Keep your home‑country App Store account active and use international wallets like PayPal or Apple/Google Pay. VPNs can bypass geo‑blocks, but many services detect them and forbid their use.

6. I need two numbers on one phone. Is dual‑SIM an option?

Yes! Newer smartphones support two SIMs or an eSIM. You can keep your home SIM for 2FA and add a Portuguese plan—both numbers work simultaneously.

7. Will I survive with only English?

Telecom providers like Vodafone offer English support lines, and some banks (e.g., Caixa Geral’s Caixadirecta app) have English interfaces. But expect plenty of Portuguese on forms—learning basic terms helps!

8. Best way to send money to Portugal?

Inside Europe, SEPA transfers are cheap. From outside, comparison sites rank Wise as one of the lowest‑fee services; it uses mid‑market exchange rates. Traditional bank wires usually cost more.

9. Why is the ATM only in Portuguese?

Most Multibanco machines have an English option—look for “English” or “Língua” near the start. Avoid Euronet and other non‑bank machines, which often charge higher fees.

10. Is contactless/Apple/Google Pay common?

Very. MB Way is the dominant wallet with millions of users, but Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless cards are widely accepted—especially in cities. Rural cafés may still want cash.

1. Which provider—MEO, NOS, Vodafone?

Choose the one that can deliver fibre to your door. MEO owns most of the fibre infrastructure, NOS often uses coax cable (slower but cheaper), and Vodafone shines in urban areas. Check your address and ask neighbours.

2. Is fibre everywhere?

Not yet. About 24% of people still rely on satellite or mobile internet. Some streets within fibre‑covered postcodes aren’t cabled, so you may end up on ADSL or 4G/5G.

3. Why are bundles so common?

Bundling internet with TV/phone often results in discounts and free extras. If you hate TV, you can negotiate a standalone plan or pick a budget carrier like NOWO.

4. Will my Netflix/Hulu/BBC iPlayer work?

EU‑based subscriptions travel within the EU, but U.S.‑only services like Hulu won’t function. BBC iPlayer no longer works in the EU post‑Brexit; you’d need a valid U.K. IP address, which means using a VPN (at your own risk).

5. How can I check coverage before moving?

Portugal’s telecom regulator ANACOM offers the GEO.ANACOM map showing mobile and broadband coverage. Enter a postcode to see what’s available. Locals and expat groups also share real‑world experiences.

6. Why is there no signal inside my house?

Thick walls, hills or simply being too far from the nearest mast can kill signal even in towns. Fibre cables may stop at the corner and not reach your building. You can try a different provider, request a booster, or use Wi‑Fi calling.

7. Can I keep my old SIM for 2FA logins?

Yes, if your provider allows long‑term roaming. Use dual‑SIM or eSIM to keep your old number active for verification codes and add a local plan for data and calls

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I hope this little tech rundown helped make sense of Portugal’s digital maze! If you’ve still got a burning question or an app that just won’t behave, hit reply, we might just solve it together (or at least laugh about it while we try).

“What's the best local spot you've discovered that most tourists (and even other expats) don't know about?”

Hit reply and let me know! I’ll share some of these hidden gems in the next Hustle Lite edition.

How to say “I am on my way” in Portuguese.

This is how you can say that you are on your way to somewhere:

👉 “Estou a caminho de…” = I’m on my way to …

This phrase works in so many daily situations, whether you’re meeting friends, going to work, or just heading home. Portuguese speakers use it all the time, and it’s one of those little expressions that makes you sound instantly more natural.

🗣 Curious to learn more everyday words and cultural gems? Mia’s free starter course “Kickstart Your Portuguese - The Basics” is a great place to start.

💡 Mia from Mia Esmeriz Academy is a Portuguese teacher from Porto with more than 15 years of experience teaching foreigners. She helps expats become fluent in Portuguese in a clear and practical way. Alongside her courses, she also shares free content on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Thanks for reading! 💌

Hustle on!

Angelique🧞‍♀️

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