It isn't easy to move to another country. Although no one makes such a life-changing decision lightheartedly, it can be challenging to meet different people, integrate into the professional scene, and make friends when you are in a new city without mastering the language. Luckily, we have a few tips to get you out and about in Lisbon interacting with natives and other expats in no time, helping you develop not only your social circle but also a professional network.
How to develop your social circle in Lisbon
Get a house share
Yes, living on your own (or with a partner) is great. But as an expat flying around the world, the easiest way to meet new people is by living with them! There are plenty of opportunities to rent a room around Lisbon, and it is a particularly good way of getting social, as you also get used to a new city.
Plus, it will help you save some much-needed money, as rent prices in Lisbon are through the roof! Currently, expect to pay between €450 and €500 for a bedroom in the Portuguese capital. Utilities are usually included.
Check social media
There are several Facebook groups that aim to connect and help expats in their new hometown. is one of them, a space where female expats can post their doubts and support each other. For both genders, is a much-welcome addition, allowing newcomers to link up with other expats and share questions, making it easier to adapt to living in a new city. Plus, digital nomads based in the Portuguese capital can benefit from coworking spaces and activities (in English), as advertised on another Facebook group called (or, alternatively, ). There's even a specific group for ! Technology is here to connect people, and you should definitely take advantage of that.
Attend events
There's a lot going on under Lisbon's quiet surface. Like, a lot! Get ready to mingle and start attending one of the many events around the city. For those interested in food, Culinary Backstreets organizes food and wine-related excursions and cooking classes around town. Are you a musician? Join one of the open mics. A writer? There are book clubs and writing groups available, etc. The options are endless, and if you don't know where to start, check out websites like Eventbrite and MeetUp: you will surely find something catering to your interests and meet like-minded people with whom you already have something in common.
Alternatively, if you want to know what's hot in the city right now, you can browse concerts, workshops, art exhibits, and much more on and .
Take a class
Think about your oldest friends. How did you meet them? Chances are it was at school or university, right? Why don't you recreate that experience as an expat as well? Maybe you want to learn Portuguese. Perhaps you want to explore EatWith to learn how to cook traditional dishes or even get your hands dirty with ceramics at (Together) by Anna Westerlund. On the other hand, if you're more of the outdoorsy type, why not take advantage of Lisbon's coastal location and join a surfing lesson?
The options are nearly endless, and it's not only an excellent way to be social, but you'll also be learning a new skill.
Talk to your coworkers
Expats working in an office or coworking space may also get acquainted with their coworkers. Although being actual friends with your coworkers is not the norm in Portugal, work relationships are usually a lot warmer and more personal than in Western European countries. Plus, as Portuguese office workers are infamous for their countless coffee breaks and long pauses for lunch, you can take advantage of those moments to get to know the people you're working with and maybe forge a friendship outside of work.
Who knows, maybe after a good talk, you can even invite a coworker for a Friday night imperial (pint) at the end of a long week. But be careful! Portuguese natives are very traditional and can get the wrong impression of an expat's friendliness.
What are you waiting for to get social? Get yourself out there, and maybe you will meet friends who will last you a lifetime.
How to develop a professional network in Lisbon
Attend events
As a European capital, Lisbon is on the route of major events and professional conferences around the world. Check for those in your professional area — software developers, digital nomads and tech entrepreneurs might find interesting connections by attending the WebSummit, for example, while fashionistas and other professionals of the area might enjoy Moda Lisboa (Lisboa's Fashion Week) to do some networking. Regardless of your working field, try to connect with as many people as possible and make sure to listen actively, as attending these events will help you stay up to date on the latest trends and developments.
Don't forget to bring business cards and always make sure to follow up after an event!
If you're a freelancer, registering at MeetUp can be a great way of finding different events in your professional area. Digital nomads, for instance, have a specific group on this website and get together to do some coworking or even hiking during the weekends. LinkedIn groups for specific areas can also be a good idea for exchanging know-how and starting professional collaborations. The same goes for other social media platforms, such as Facebook or Instagram. Create a profile, be active and forge a relationship.
Do your research and arrive early
If attending an event or conference, don't forget to do your research. Is there anyone specific you would like to meet? Where will they be, and at what time? What will they be discussing? Don't miss any opportunities to connect.
Shy expats out there will be glad to know this small networking tip: arrive at events early. Organizers and participants tend to be more approachable at the start of the event, so it will be easier to make connections. Go easy! Be interested and ask questions, as this is the best way to keep a conversation going.
When dealing with a new professional acquaintance, avoid calling or texting straight away: an email is usually more acceptable. Always indicate your name, where you met your recipient, and what you talked about, as this will make it easier for people to remember you. If no reply arrives, then it is acceptable to follow up with a call. The magic words always go a long way, whatever the country: obrigado (thank you), por favor (please), and com licença (excuse me).
Unfortunately, Portuguese working culture isn't particularly strong on following up. That means professionals of all fields can take a while to answer an e-mail or return a call (if they do it at all). If that happens to you, do not take it personal, as it can be quite common.
Networking best practices in Lisbon
Be professional and polite
Portuguese natives are known for being quite traditional. Keep things professional in the workplace by respecting people's personal distance, and avoid touching unless you are already close to them! Still, you may find professional relationships to be warmer than what you might be used to if you hail from Western Europe, Scandinavia or Eastern Europe.
Eating out with coworkers
Casual lunches with coworkers are frequent, but dinners must be reserved for very professional situations like the closing of a deal, for example. If inviting a professional of the opposite sex for dinner, make sure to invite their partner as well – it's very important to reinforce how traditional the Portuguese culture is, so it will be easier to avoid any faux pas or any risk of passing the wrong message.
Business meetings
So, you were handed a card at a networking event, and you want to schedule a meeting. That's great! As mentioned above, Portuguese people are traditional – if not old-fashioned – and mostly prefer to have meetings in person. Although it's true that younger generations are more open to using the phone or more recent video technology such as Skype, Meets or Teams, older folks still very much privilege first-hand contact. Still, things are slowly changing – just keep in mind everything takes a bit longer in Portugal!
You will get your reply, and hopefully, it's a yes. Excellent! Set a date and a time for your meeting, and know that business lunches are very common, but dinners can be seen as slightly inappropriate. If deciding on an afternoon meeting, be advised that it means something from 15h00 to 18h00.
When meeting someone for the first time, you'll want to stick to a firm handshake regardless of gender and refrain from using second-person singulars. Once again, and though younger generations are slowly changing the paradigm, business culture in Portugal still requires a certain level of formality, particularly when addressing superiors and older colleagues or when conducting a business meeting. Naturally, this also heavily depends on the industry, as the start-up culture is considerably more laidback.
Punctuality
Portuguese are not known for being precisely on time. Still, even though business meetings are often 20-30 minutes late, it is still required to arrive no later than 5 minutes past the given time. Needless to say, you should always give the other party a heads-up in case you're running late; otherwise, you may come across as inconsiderate.
Gift giving
Though not as common as it once was, gift-giving is still a part of the Portuguese business culture. This is particularly relevant if someone invites you over for a meal, as bringing a gift for the host is considered a much-welcome pleasantry. Still, there are a few rules to be aware of. Refrain from super expensive gifts (aka anything above 50€), and rest assured that your gift options are relatively flexible: traditional alcohol from your home country or local pieces of clothing such as a shawl (for women) or a tie (for men).
On the other hand, do not offer flowers or perfume. These are considered intimate and might give the wrong impression! Not to mention, it is hazardous to offend someone's allergies and end up awfully embarrassed.
Controversial topics
No matter how relaxed everyone seems to be around each other, there are certain topics that should be avoided in a business meeting. Those generally include politics or religion, as well as themes that may lead to social unrest. Plus, as it has become somewhat acceptable for people to express political views that were deemed too extreme just 10 years ago, bear in mind that most of the debates are counterproductive and lead nowhere. Long story short, these are definitely topics one should not use as a conversation starter.
Use your common sense to pick conversation topics and go with the flow. You will see it is much easier than it looks!
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