Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving to Portugal is an exciting adventure, but staying in touch with family and friends back home can sometimes feel complicated. Fortunately, with modern technology and Portugal’s well-developed telecommunications infrastructure, keeping connected with your loved ones has never been easier. Discover in this comprehensive article how to effectively stay connected from your new Lusitanian life.
Portuguese Telecom Giants: Your Gateway to the World
Portugal has a dynamic and competitive telecommunications market, offering residents and expatriates a wide range of options to stay connected. Here’s an overview of the main internet service providers that dominate the Portuguese landscape:
MEO (Portugal Telecom): Formerly known as Portugal Telecom, MEO is the country’s largest telecommunications operator. It offers broadband internet packages, fixed and mobile telephony, as well as television services. MEO is known for its extensive coverage and competitive offers.
NOS: Resulting from the merger of several operators, NOS has become a major player in the Portuguese market. The company offers quadruple-play services (internet, fixed phone, mobile, and television) and stands out for its innovative offers and attractive rates.
Vodafone Portugal: A subsidiary of the British giant Vodafone, this operator offers mobile telephony, fixed internet, and television services. Vodafone is particularly appreciated for the quality of its mobile network and its offers tailored to the needs of expatriates.
NOWO: Although less known than its competitors, NOWO is gaining popularity thanks to its flexible packages and competitive rates. The operator mainly focuses on internet and cable television services.
When settling in Portugal, it’s recommended to carefully compare the offers from these different operators. Consider not only the prices but also the quality of customer service, coverage in your residential area, and specific options that could facilitate your international communications.
Good to Know:
Most operators offer special deals for new customers, often including discounts on the first months of subscription or free equipment. Don’t hesitate to negotiate or ask for personalized offers, especially if you plan to subscribe to multiple services.
Modern Communication Tools: Your Ally for Staying in Touch
Portugal, as a member of the European Union, benefits from a regulatory framework favorable to the use of modern communication technologies. Here’s an overview of the main tools you can use without restriction to stay in contact with your loved ones:
WhatsApp: This instant messaging application is extremely popular in Portugal. It allows you to send text messages, photos, videos, and make voice or video calls for free via the internet.
Skype: Although it has lost some popularity in recent years, Skype remains a reliable tool for group video calls, particularly appreciated for virtual family gatherings.
Facebook Messenger: Integrated into the Facebook platform, Messenger offers similar features to WhatsApp and is widely used by Portuguese people and expatriates.
Zoom: Having become essential since the pandemic, Zoom is ideal for organizing video conferences with multiple participants, whether for work or keeping in touch with a group of friends.
FaceTime: For Apple device users, FaceTime remains a preferred option for high-quality video calls.
Signal: This secure messaging application is gaining popularity among users concerned about their privacy.
It’s important to note that all these applications work via the internet. So make sure you have a sufficient data plan or a reliable Wi-Fi connection to fully enjoy them.
Good to Know:
Portugal applies the European roaming regulation, meaning you can use your mobile plan (calls, SMS, and data) in other EU countries without additional charges, ideal for your travels in Europe.
Tips for Optimizing Your Communications from Portugal
To make the most of the communication tools available in Portugal and stay in touch with your loved ones effectively and economically, here are some practical tips:
Opt for an unlimited internet plan: With the increase in video calls and intensive use of social networks, an unlimited internet plan will prevent unpleasant surprises on your bill.
Invest in a good Wi-Fi router: A stable and fast connection is essential for quality video calls. Don’t hesitate to invest in a high-performance router if the one provided by your operator doesn’t meet your expectations.
Use automatic callback applications: Some applications like Rebtel or Localphone allow you to make international calls at a lower cost using your internet connection.
Take advantage of international phone offers: Several Portuguese operators offer plans including unlimited calls to certain foreign countries. These offers can be very advantageous if you regularly call the same country.
Create a communication schedule: With the time difference, it can be useful to establish a regular schedule for your family calls. This will help you maintain regular contact without disrupting your respective routines.
Explore the advanced features of applications: Many communication applications offer interesting features like screen sharing, online games, or fun filters for video calls. These options can make your exchanges more interactive and fun, especially with children.
Good to Know:
For long conversations or frequent calls, consider using a headset with a microphone. This will significantly improve the audio quality of your calls while providing more comfort.
Portuguese Digital Culture: Adapting to Communicate Better
Understanding the digital habits of Portuguese people can help you integrate better and facilitate your communications, both with your loved ones and with your new local contacts:
The importance of social networks: Portuguese people are very active on social networks, particularly Facebook and Instagram. Using these platforms can be an excellent way to share your new life with your loved ones while integrating into your local community.
The preference for voice messages: In Portugal, it’s common to send voice messages via WhatsApp rather than long text messages. This is a practice to adopt for more personal and expressive communications.
The use of WhatsApp groups: Portuguese people love creating WhatsApp groups for family, friends, or even colleagues. It’s an excellent way to stay informed and connected.
Respect for schedules: Although Portuguese culture is known for its flexibility, it’s important to respect agreed-upon times for calls, especially with your professional contacts.
Language learning: Even though many Portuguese people speak English, making the effort to learn a few phrases in Portuguese will be greatly appreciated and will facilitate your daily interactions.
Good to Know:
Many language learning applications, like Duolingo or Babbel, offer Portuguese courses. Using these tools can be an excellent way to progress while staying connected to the local culture.
Security and Privacy: Communicating with Peace of Mind
Although Portugal is a safe country with strict laws on personal data protection, it’s always important to take some precautions to ensure the security of your communications:
Use secure Wi-Fi networks: Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks for your important communications. If necessary, use a VPN to encrypt your data.
Regularly update your applications: Updates often include important security patches. Make sure all your communication applications are up to date.
Enable two-factor authentication: This feature adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts, protecting them against unauthorized access.
Be vigilant against scams: Be wary of suspicious messages or calls asking for personal or financial information, even if they seem to come from your contacts.
Respect others’ privacy: Before sharing photos or information about your loved ones on social networks, make sure you have their consent.
Good to Know:
Portugal applies the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which guarantees a high level of protection for your personal data. Don’t hesitate to inquire about your rights in this matter.
Staying in touch with loved ones from Portugal has never been easier than today. Thanks to modern telecommunications infrastructure, a variety of communication tools, and a dynamic digital culture, you can maintain strong bonds with your family and friends, wherever they are in the world. By adopting good practices and leveraging available technologies, you’ll be able to fully share your new Lusitanian life while staying connected to your roots.
Expatriation is an enriching adventure that, thanks to modern technologies, no longer means cutting ties with your home country. On the contrary, it offers the opportunity to create new connections while strengthening existing ones. So, fully enjoy your experience in Portugal, share your discoveries, and stay close to those who matter to you, even from a distance.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
