So, what is life in Portugal like, on a day-to-day basis? Will your routines be any different? How will you manage everyday domestic situations, and deal with those vital aspects of life as we know it, such as paying your ’leccy bill, having mail delivered, making a phone call (if you can get a phone connected), or deciding whether or not you can survive without pie and chips or late-night Chinese take-aways!
Loja Do Cidadão – Citizen’s Shop
An information and advice service is available at one of the recently-introduced citizen’s shops in Portugal. Once you are living in Portugal, these are useful places to sort out any number of administrative dealings, such as:
- postal service enquiries
- Portuguese pensions
- all civil registry matters
- social security benefits
- driving licences
- taxes
amongst others.
There are a number of these Lojas, plus some smaller branches, known as PACs (posto de atendimento ao cidadão) in various cities around Portugal, most opening 8.30am–7.30pm, with some Saturday hours. A general phone number gets you through to a call centre (808 241 107), and a website in Portuguese is available at: www.lojadocidadao.pt