🧩 Why a Swiss Bank Account is the Missing Piece in Your Golden Visa Puzzle

Happy Sunday, amigos! 🌞

Monocle just released their 2025 Quality of Life Survey: The 10 Most Liveable Cities in the World. And, you guessed it, Portugal made the list again, with Lisbon taking 8th place. Some of the entries definitely surprised me (Paris at number one?).

If you live in Portugal, you probably don’t need me to tell you this is one of the hottest spots in Europe right now. But if you've been under a rock, welcome to where the magic happens.

Portugal truly has something for everyone:

Now, is everything perfect here? Of course not. Since arriving, we’ve had a near-death medical emergency, hit serious financial strain, and had to learn the ins and outs of the country’s bureaucracy in ways I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

But I’ll tell you this: I’d trade my 5-series BMW and electric fencing in South Africa for my over-worked 1995 Opel Corsa in Portugal any day. And the Corsa doesn’t even lock. But I drive it in freedom. The life we live now doesn’t compare to what we left behind.

There is generosity here, opportunity, and an undeniable sense of momentum.

Can you tell I’m excited? 😃

There’s so much to learn and share, and I’m really grateful for all the generous people who collaborate with me to bring this newsletter to life each week. We're building something helpful here, and hopefully making the expat journey in Portugal a little easier, and a lot more fun.

On the menu today:

🏦 Why a Swiss bank account might be a smart move

🆔 The What, Where, When and How of the número de utente

🎉 And a few cool events to kick off your summer vibe

Let’s dig in, shall we?

Praia da Ursa (Bear Beach) is a stunning and wild beach located near Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Portugal and all of continental Europe. Known for its dramatic landscape, the beach is framed by colossal sea stacks, most notably the “rocha da ursa” (bear rock), which, according to legend, was a bear turned to stone by the gods for disobedience.

To reach Praia da Ursa, visitors typically hike from Cabo da Roca along a rugged coastal trail. The hike is considered moderate to challenging due to steep, rocky, and sometimes slippery sections, with a rope-assisted descent near the end. The journey takes about 30–60 minutes from the lighthouse, depending on pace and conditions.

Glu Glu – Wine Festival (27-29 June, Jardim da Sereia, Coimbra): a new and exciting event dedicated to Portuguese wine, gastronomy, and culture. Featuring around 20 wine producers representing diverse regions across Portugal—from Trás-os-Montes to Madeira, including Alentejo and the Azores—with a special focus on small-scale, sustainable, and low-intervention winemaking. Notable producers include Filipa Pato, Niepoort NatCool, Espera Wines, and many more. The event will also include cider and craft beer producers, broadening the beverage experience.

Festival de Clássicos Benedita (29 June, Benedita, Alcobaça): an event dedicated to classic cars, organized in Benedita, Portugal, and driven by a passion for the automotive world. Its main purpose is to bring together enthusiasts, collectors, and the general public to celebrate and appreciate classic automobiles in a festive and community-oriented atmosphere.

Famalicão Beer Fest (3-6 July, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Braga): An annual festival with a strong lineup of Portuguese and international craft beers, street food, and music.

Douro & Porto Wine Festival (4-5 July, Commercial Port of Cambres, Peso da Régua, Lamego): A major celebration of wine, music, and gastronomy held in the heart of Portugal’s renowned Douro Valley. This edition will take place in a picturesque setting at Peso da Régua, offering stunning views of the Douro River and terraced vineyards.

Guarda Wine Fest (11-13 July, Guarda): a significant celebration of Portuguese wine culture, held in the city of Guarda, a historic and picturesque town in central Portugal. The event brings together wine producers from the Beira Interior, Dão, and Douro wine regions, with special guests from Bairrada—an area renowned for its sparkling wines.

Vagos Sensation Gourmet (4-13 July, Praia da Vagueira, Vagos, Aveiro region): is one of Portugal’s most vibrant summer gastronomic events, celebrated for blending top-tier culinary talent with local traditions and community spirit. In 2025, the festival marks its 10th anniversary, bringing together renowned chefs, sommeliers, local producers, and food enthusiasts.

Imagine Dragons – LOOM World Tour (June 26, Estádio da Luz, Lisbon): the American pop rock band will bring their LOOM World Tour to Lisbon, promising an electrifying performance.

Lisb-On #JardimSonoro (27-29 June): Lisbon’s leading electronic music festival, set in the scenic Keil do Amaral Amphitheatre within the Parque Florestal de Monsanto, the city’s green lung. The 2025 edition offers a unique experience where nature and electronic sounds blend seamlessly on open-air stages surrounded by forest.

Just before Christmas 2023, my husband nearly died from a medical emergency that required urgent brain surgery. It took multiple hospital visits, two ambulance rides, and hours of waiting—but in the end, the surgery that saved his life cost us just under €100. (And no, we didn’t have private medical insurance at the time either! Don’t even ask!)

That level of affordable, life-saving care was only possible because we had our número de utente—Portugal’s SNS health system ID. I can’t say for certain we would’ve been refused help without it, but I do know this: every hospital, nurse, and ambulance driver asked for one thing first—the utente number. And I was so glad we had it.

Whether you’re in Portugal short-term or settling in for good, this little string of digits could be the most important thing you register for.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to get it, and why you shouldn’t wait.

A unique health identifier issued by Portugal’s public health system, the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS).

It links you to the National Users Register (RNU) and Electronic Health Record (RSE), ensuring every prescription, vaccination, exam, and appointment is stored under your number.

👉 Think of it like the UK’s NHS number or the U.S. Medicare number—without it, you’re treated as a private-pay patient.

🔎 If you live in Portugal for more than 90 days, registration is expected and strongly advised. Children and pregnant women must also register.

💶 Affordable care: GP visit ≈ €5; many services free for chronic or maternal care

💉 Vaccinations & screenings: Triggered automatically by your number

👨‍⚕️ Family doctor (Médico de Família): Not possible without a utente number

📲 Digital health access: SNS 24 app lets you renew prescriptions, book appointments, view results

📑 Insurance & tax: Some private health policies and IRS deductions request SNS ID

Best For: Most residents; rural areas.

Go to your local Centro de Saúde. Proof of address required.

Best For: New arrivals needing NIF + NISS + SNS

From 14 March 2025, visit designated Espaço Cidadão locations. The application for a Tax Identification Number (NIF), Social Security Identification Number (NISS) and national user number for the National Health Service (SNS) for foreign citizens can now be made in a single appointment.

Pilot locations include: Braga, Lagos, Loures (LouresShopping), Oeiras (Oeiras Parque), Olhão, Porto (Cedofeita), Cascais, Saldanha, Laranjeiras, Setúbal. More rolling out in 2025–26.

Tip: Bring a Portuguese-speaking friend or use a translation app if needed.

📌 Most numbers are issued same-day (health centres) or within 48 hours (Espaço Cidadão). Numbers never expire, but always update your address or phone number.

☎️ SNS 24 (Health Hotline, 24/7): 808 24 24 24

📞 Linha Cidadão (Public Service Help): 210 489 010 (Weekdays 09:00–18:00)

🚨 Emergency (Ambulance / Police / Fire): 112

Getting your número de utente is free, fast, and essential for accessing Portugal’s public healthcare system. And with the new one-stop Espaço Cidadão route, new arrivals from 2025 can get their NIF, NISS and SNS in a single visit. Add it to your first-month checklist, and you’ll never be stuck in the ER without coverage again.

The following is a guest contribution from Michael Maxwell, a trusted expert in international investment strategy. If you’re exploring long-term options for financial resilience, this one’s for you.

Mini Portuguese Lesson: Talking About Money (Like the Swiss Do) 💬

Phrase of the Week: "Quero abrir uma conta bancária." (I want to open a bank account.)

🔍 Break it down:

Quero = I want

abrir = to open

uma conta = an account

bancária = bank-related

💡Want to sound extra fancy? Try this upgrade: "Gostaria de abrir uma conta bancária na Suíça." (I would like to open a bank account in Switzerland.)

Because let’s be honest — “conta bancária na Suíça” just sounds cooler. 😎

Thanks for reading! 💌

Hustle on!

Angelique🧞‍♀️

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