Useful links in Lisbon TO WELCOME newcomers.

In this article we will go through all the important steps for a new resident in Lisbon and its district:

• Transport,
• housing
• finding employment,
• and some useful applications and websites,…

We hope that all these resources will help you to integrate successfully.

Transport in Lisbon

Public transport in Lisbon

If you’re just passing through for a few days or weeks, we recommend you read this article first: Travel solutions

The city of Lisbon and its district are very well served by public transport: trams, metro, trains, buses, funiculars, ferries, etc.

With the €40 VIVA + Shuttle Pass (navegante pass), you can use all these means of transport and even travel to towns in the Lisbon region: Sintra, Cascais, Sétubal, Sésimbra, etc.

You can apply online and you will receive your card 10 days after your application. Or you can apply directly at the Marquês de Pomba station, where you will need to present

• Identity card or passport
• the completed application form
• A photograph of the same standard as that required for identity cards and passports, photo booth at the station.

Cost: 7€ – 15 days turnaround time | express 12€ – 1-2 days turnaround time.

After that, you will have to recharge your card every month directly from machines or in metro or train stations.

We recommend that you use the Citymapper application for timetables. To navigate around the city, you’ll need to know the names of your stops.

Car and parking

The pass is so convenient that we don’t recommend owning a car in the city due to the high cost of parking and the €120 fines.

Long-term residents can apply for free parking in their area by applying online for the free EME Resident Card. The process is quite lengthy, but will save you a lot of money.

You will need to fill in the details of your car (owner’s name, vehicle registration, applicant’s tax number, contact details, etc.) and then attach the following documents

• Driving licence
• A document proving your residence in the municipality of Lisbon (a voter’s card, a rent receipt or even a bill will do)
• The vehicle registration document (equivalent to the French “carte grise”).

Only possible for cars registered or in the process of being registered in Portugal.

Parking in the city

Other useful links for Lisbon.
Use this application: Parqist. It helps you find parking in Lisbon and Porto. And this one allows you to pay directly from your mobile phone: E.Park

Taxi | Uber | Bolt

Practical, fast and cheap, especially for couples or small groups, this is a way not to be missed. Plus, you don’t have to worry about parking, maintenance or tickets ……

Note: Taxis charge for luggage. Uber and Bolt are good options for people going to and from the airport. If you are arriving at the airport, please note that they will be waiting for you in Car Park 1, not at the entrance (which is reserved for taxis).

Gira” city scooter – electric bike

Plus: they’re included in the Shuttle Pass offer.
Minus: the scooters are limited in number and there are special car parks to leave them in, which can sometimes mean a long detour and a waste of time.

In any case, it’s a great way to stroll along the banks of the Tejo, from Parques das Naçoes to Bèlem, as there are equipped quays.

Note that if you choose the city’s Gira bike, there is an option for €2 per day.
This includes a 45-minute ride, after which you will be charged an additional fee. But if you do 44 min + 44 min + 44 min, you’ll still be charged €2. Here’s all the information: Gira website with parking map

Getting around Portugal

Car sharing – “Boleia

No efficient blablacar here.
The Portuguese use Facebook to travel cheaper.

As regular users of these groups, we can assure you of the seriousness of the people involved.
The big advantages:

• You can see the profile of your driver
• Pay less and only at the end of the journey
• Access to cities without railway stations or airports
• You will meet mostly Portuguese people.

Some groups:

• Portugal
• Porto-Lisboa … e … Lisboa-Porto!!
• Braga-Lisboa / Lisboa – Braga
• Portugal de Norte a Sul
• Viseu/Lisboa – Lisboa/Viseu
• Lisboa-Algarve … e … Algarve-Lisboa!!
• Faro-Lisboa … e … Lisboa-Faro!!

Car Hire

You should be aware that private car hire is not permitted in Portugal.
You’ll need to use a professional agency. We recommend that you use the price comparison site Rentalcars, where you’ll find unbeatable deals.

Finding accommodation

Finding accommodation can sometimes be a nightmare. The city, a victim of its own success, has seen rental prices skyrocket and it’s not uncommon to have to live in a shared flat just to get by.
You should expect to pay at least €400 for a room, although the average cost in the centre is closer to €450/500, often with a deposit of one or two months.

If you want to rent a room on your own, you’ll need to provide the following information

• NIF (tax number)
• Identity card/passport
• 2 months deposit or more
• 1st month’s rent
• A fiador/guarantor
• Work contract
• and a tax return or bank statement.

The key words for your search are QUARTO (room), CASA (house), APARTAMENTO (flat).

Some good sites:

• OLX
• Custojusto
• Idealista

Don’t forget to set up alerts!

Some Facebook groups

• Casas, Apartamentos e Quartos para ARRENDAR em Lisboa e Grande Lisboa
• Arrendamento de Quartos em Lisboa – Rooms For Rent in Lisbon (LGBTQIAP+)
• Lisboa – Quartos e Apartamentos
• Lisboa Arrendar Quartos – Erasmus Rooms and Accommodation
• Alugar quartos IST Lisboa
• Casas e Quartos Para Alugar até 350€ em Lisboa e Grande Lisboa
• Casas/Quartos Para arrendar em Lisboa
• Casas e Quartos Para Alugar até 450€ em Lisboa e Grande Lisboa
• Rooms | Arrendar Quartos Lisboa
• Alugar quartos ISCTE-IUL Lisboa
• Casas e quartos em Lisboa
• or Casas / Apartamentos / Quartos para arrendar em Lisboa
• and Casas e Quartos em LISBOA
• Casas/quartos para arrendar abaixo dos 500 euros!!!
• Casas / Quartos para arrendar em Lisboa até 500 €

You’ll have plenty to do. Don’t forget to check out the Market Place and, above all, watch out for scams!

Youth Hostels

If you’re already in Lisbon and need a budget option, hostels could be a good place to stay. We personally like Destination Sunset and Selina Secret Garden.

Job hunting

If you’re over 18, of European nationality, have a degree and speak a few languages, such as French (of course), English or German, we recommend the EXPAT-U recruitment agency.

Cyril Hauchard, recruiter for several call centre agencies, is the person to contact!
He’ll not only be able to offer you vacancies that match your profile, he’ll also be a real administrative ally when it comes to settling in.

Cultural calendar and activities in and around Lisbon

On this website, of course! Subscribe to our newsletter and don’t miss any of our new articles.

You can also follow us on our social networks:
Our Facebook group and page, as well as our Instagram stories and headline content.

Mutual assistance and Francophone encounters in Portugal

We invite you to join our WhatsApp group, which has over 600 members. The participants are friendly and always available to answer your questions or to share a moment over a drink.

Free Museums and Monuments in Lisbon

Secondhand

Facebook groups for finding good deals on furniture or other items:

• IKEA venda e troca de usados
• Venda e troca@Lisboa
• IKEA- Venda E Troca De Usados ALGARVE
• OLX Lisboa
• OLX Portugal – Compra E Venda

And here’s a donation group, because in life, it’s not all about money: “I give it to you if you come to pick it up.”

Epilogue:

Our article concludes here but is regularly updated as we make new discoveries. We hope this information is helpful to you.

When you come to Lisbon (or Portugal) for the first time

We are looking for independants field agents: individuals with strong communication skills, whether written, oral, or visual, and with a passion for cultural events. If your profile matches and you would like to learn more, please contact us directly via WhatsApp!