Moving to Porto is an exciting adventure – beautiful neighborhoods, friendly locals, delicious food, and a growing international community. But the first days can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. This Welcome Kit in Porto gathers the essential information every newcomer needs: housing, transport, coworking, food shopping, language learning, and how to build your social circle.
Whether you’re relocating for work, studying remotely, or simply choosing Porto for a better lifestyle, this guide will help you settle in quickly and confidently.
🏡 Housing in Porto: Short-Term & Long-Term Options
Short-Term Housing in Porto
If you need a temporary base while searching for a permanent home, a great option is The Social Hub Porto. Known for its modern design and community events, it’s ideal for expats, digital nomads, and students who want flexibility and comfort from day one.
Long-Term Rentals
When you’re ready to settle down, the most popular platform is Idealista, which offers thousands of listings updated daily. You can filter by neighborhood, price range, size, furnished/unfurnished, and pet-friendly homes.
Understanding Porto’s Neighborhoods
Some quick descriptions for expats deciding where to live:
- Cedofeita – hip, central, artsy
- Bonfim – up-and-coming, diverse, community vibe
- Foz do Douro – upscale, beach lifestyle
- Boavista – business district, modern apartments
- Matosinhos – beach, surfers, great for families
- Vila Nova de Gaia – more affordable, fast metro connections
📦 Shipping & Relocation Services
If you’re relocating with more than just a few suitcases, shipping your belongings separately can make the move easier. Eurosender offers parcel services across Europe for boxes and extra luggage, as well as van delivery for larger moves, furniture, or full apartment relocations.
You can choose between standard and express delivery depending on your timeline and how quickly you need your belongings to arrive. Collection is arranged directly from your current address, and delivery can be coordinated around your move-in date in Porto. All Porto Expats members receive 10% off parcel services using the code “PORTOEXPATS” and €15 off van services with the code “PORTOEXPATS_VAN”.
🗣️ Learning Portuguese: Essential for Daily Life
While many people speak some English, learning Portuguese makes everything smoother – from grocery shopping to dealing with the Finanças office. It also helps you connect more deeply with locals.
Here are friendly and popular European Portuguese online tutors:
- Português às 3 (Catarina Oliveira – local from Porto)
- Mia Esmeriz Academy (also a local from Porto)
- Portuguese with Anita
- Portuguese com o Filipe
- Portuguese with Sílvia
💼 Coworking in Porto: Where to Work Productively
Porto has a thriving digital nomad and entrepreneurial scene. If you plan to work remotely or enjoy a community-oriented workspace, check out our full guide:
Best Coworking Spaces in Porto – Porto Expats.
You’ll find Porto’s best hubs for freelancers, remote workers, startups, and creatives.
🛒 Food & Supermarkets in Porto: Where Locals Shop
Knowing where to buy your food helps you quickly settle into local life. We’ve already created a complete guide:
Where to Buy Food in Porto: Best Supermarkets Locals Love – Porto Expats.
From big chains to organic shops and local markets, you’ll learn where to find the freshest vegetables, the cheapest groceries, and international products.
🚇 Transport in Porto: Getting Around the City
Porto is compact and easy to navigate thanks to a solid public transport system.
- Metro do Porto – fast, clean, and reliable. Great for commuting between central Porto, Matosinhos, and Vila Nova de Gaia
- Buses (STCP) – cover many areas not served by the metro – especially residential neighborhoods
- Ridesharing – both Uber and Bolt operate widely in Porto. Affordable, safe, and convenient day or night
- Biking – Porto is bike-friendly in some zones, but keep in mind: Porto is hilly – meaning biking isn’t as popular as in flat European cities
Tip for newcomers
Get an Andante card to use metro + bus + some urban trains with one ticket. You can also charge your card through a mobile app Anda.
🤝 Socializing in Porto: Meet People & Build Your Community
Building a social circle is one of the most important steps in making Porto feel like home. Luckily, the expat community here is warm, active, and easy to join.
Start with Porto Expats
- Follow Porto Expats on Instagram
- Subscribe to our weekly newsletter on Substack
- Join our WhatsApp community
- Come to our monthly / bi-monthly meetups
Other Communities & Social Spots
- The Social Hub Porto – check their free events
- Expat Girls in Porto
- Look Sharp Café – a café known for creative gatherings and international vibes
- Can Rub Club Porto – a popular, community-driven running group, that hosts weekly, all-levels 5km runs or walks, typically on Saturdays
- Porto i/o Meetup – tech, innovation, and networking meetups in Porto i/o Seaside
💳 Banking & Money Tips
Opening a bank account in Portugal helps with rent, bills, and mobile services. Popular banks among expats include:
- ActivoBank
- Millennium BCP
- Banco CTT
- And worldwide-friendly options like Revolut (fast setup and option of Portuguese IBAN)
Learn how MB Way works – Portugal’s mobile payment system used everywhere from cafés to taxis.
🩺 Healthcare & Clinics
To access healthcare:
- Register for SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) at your local health center
- Or use private clinics for English-speaking doctors
Common private providers: CUF, Luz Saúde, Trofa Saúde.
📱 SIM Cards & Internet
Easy options for mobile and home Wi-Fi:
- Vodafone
- MEO
- NOS
- Digi – new on the market with unbeatable prices
Prepaid SIM cards can be bought at airports, malls, or official stores.
🎉 Final Thoughts: Your Porto Life Starts Now
Porto is one of the most welcoming cities in Europe, and this Welcome Kit gives you everything you need to start your new adventure smoothly. As you settle in, lean on the expat community, explore different neighborhoods, try the local food, and give yourself time to adapt.
