Welcome to Portugal! You’ve got your pastel de nata in hand, you’re soaking up the Atlantic breeze, and you’re ready to live your best European life. But then… something strange happens. A guy in a velvet suit rides a horse into an arena. Someone offers you snails as a snack. Your neighbor says something about "pushing with the belly"—and you start to wonder: Am I missing something here?
Welcome to Portugal: beautiful, warm, and just the right amount of weird. Here are 10 quirks, customs, and curious habits that might surprise you—and help you feel a little more like a local (or at least laugh along the way).
1. Bullfights… But Nobody Dies
Yes, Portugal has bullfighting. No, it’s not like Spain. Here, the bull isn’t killed in the arena. Instead, there’s a dramatic dance on horseback followed by a group of lads called forcados who tackle the bull by hand. It’s part theater, part tradition, part 19th century!
2. Snails: Not Just for the French
In the summer, you’ll spot signs reading Há caracóis!—"We have snails!" And people love them. These tiny gastropods are simmered in garlic and herbs and served by the bowlful with a cold beer. Love it or leave it, but you should try it at least once. And, just for fun, the Spanish are called snails...
3. No Sour Cream.
This one hits North Americans hard. You won’t find sour cream in most Portuguese supermarkets. Ask, and you’ll likely be handed nata ácida (close, but not quite) or given a puzzled look. Taco night will never be the same. But, hey you can get you ice and peanut butter.
4. Expressions That Make No Sense (Until They Do)
Ever been told you’re "pushing with the belly"? That’s Portuguese for procrastinating. Other gems include “changing your horses in midstream” (trocar as voltas) and “turning chickens into ducks” (trocar galinhas por patos). It’s poetic. And confusing. But charming.
5. The World Stops for Lunch
Want to get something done between 12:30 and 3:00 PM (or 12h34-15h)? Too bad. Lunch is sacred. Many shops, services, and some offices shut down completely—because this isn’t just a snack, it’s an event.
6. The Obsession with Codfish
There are supposedly over 365 ways to cook bacalhau (salted cod). It’s not Portuguese unless there’s cod involved—boiled with chickpeas, fried into cakes, layered in casseroles. But here’s the kicker: cod isn’t native to Portugal, and it’s from the North Atlantic. No one cares. Bacalhau é vida.
7. No Italian Coffee Drinks
Craving a latte, flat white, or macchiato? Good luck. And, if you get it you may not love it. In Portugal, coffee means espresso (um café)—and it comes in a tiny cup. Italian coffee culture hasn’t taken root, and ordering a cappuccino might get you instant judgment… or a weirdly foamy mess. When in doubt, just say “um meia de leite.” Want a latte? Go to Italy.
8. Paperwork Olympics
Every expat learns that Portugal has mastered the art of bureaucracy. You’ll need a NIF tax number to get a SIM card, three documents to open a bank account, and your grandmother’s birth certificate to prove your address. Take a deep breath. Bring snacks.
9. Greeting with Two Kisses (Or... Not?)
In some regions, it’s customary to greet friends of the other sex(even new ones) with two kisses—one on each cheek. In others, a handshake will do. There’s no rulebook. Just follow the local lead and don’t panic if someone leans in unexpectedly.
10. Weirdly Tense Verb Tenses
You’ll hear someone say "Queria um café" (literally “I wanted a coffee”), even though they’re ordering one right now. The Portuguese use the imperfect past tense to be extra polite—but to English speakers, it sounds like time travel. Just smile and nod. They remember what you may have forgotten.
Bottom Line? Portugal is a beautiful, welcoming, and sometimes baffling country. As an expat, embracing the quirks is half the fun. Laugh at the weird moments, savor the snails or goat (or politely decline), and remember: if you’re confused, you’re probably doing it right. And think of all the weird foods and politics you left behind.
We’re all just trying to make sense of this maravilhoso place together.
Jayme H. Simões is a Portugal–U.S. communications consultant who writes about the realities of moving, living, and retiring in Portugal, based on first hand experience.
Let’s Move to Portugal Now is an independent resource for Americans considering life in Portugal. We provide practical, experience-based information on visas, housing, health care, cost of living, and everyday life—focused on clarity, realism, and informed choices. This site is not affiliated with the Portuguese government and does not offer legal or immigration advice.
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