Emotional and family aspects of living in Portugal

Portugal is the main European country to receive Brazilians, who account for 1 in 4 immigrants living on Portuguese soil. Among the attractions are the language, the cost of living and access to permanence. The process may seem long and complex, but it can be simplified with good planning. Here, we’re going to tackle one of the most important and yet little-covered topics on websites and plans: emotional and family aspects.

This is a topic that is often neglected or left aside, but it is extremely important – after all, migrating is an act of courage. In addition to all the bureaucratic stuff, it’s also very important to think about your emotional state, as it involves distance from family and friends, a change of climate, lifestyle, job market, cost of living and all the challenges that arise along the way.

The positive side is that these uncertainties and anxieties can be reduced with more assertive research and decision-making. For example, a Brazilian who likes the country’s tropical climate and understands that he might miss warmer, sunnier days, might look to settle in cities with less severe winters. These are details that don’t seem to make a difference, but make for a more comfortable adaptation.

In addition, there are setbacks and events that affect the emotional and can destabilize any individual at the beginning, so it is essential to be well planned in general, so that this is not an obstacle to the adaptation process.

Another tip is to start surrounding yourself with contacts before you move, such as joining groups of Brazilians in the future city. And if you’re going as a family, make sure you understand what life will be like for your children and their academic adjustment. For children and teenagers, this process can require greater attention from parents who need to be aware of the school calendar and registration deadlines for the academic year. Start by introducing them to a bit of the culture and what will be covered at the school before they arrive.

In addition to the points above, many psychologists consider it important to provide mental health support during changes like this – both for those who will be going through this experience alone, as well as couples, families, adults and children.

This content is part of the eBook: All about living, studying, investing and working in Portugal .