Posts by

Larissa Miranda

Writer & editor

Larissa Miranda is a writer and editor at Unlock Portugal.

Solitary cork oak in a harvested wheat field in the Alentejo, Portugal

Farm and Seasonal Work in Portugal: Wages, Contracts and Your Rights

Farm, construction and restaurant work in Alentejo: the 2026 minimum wage, legal contract types, housing rules and how to report abuse to ACT safely.

Courtyard of the University of Coimbra, Portugal, where foreign degree recognition is handled

Foreign Degree Recognition in Portugal: How to Get Your Diploma Recognized

Foreign degree recognition in Portugal now runs through IES, I.P. (formerly DGES). Automatic recognition costs a flat €32.20 and takes about 30 working days.

IEFP building in Lisbon, a public provider of Portugal's free PLA Portuguese courses

Free Portuguese Language Courses (PLA): How to Enroll and What the Certificate Is Worth

PLA courses teach Portuguese for free through public schools and IEFP. An A2+ certificate also counts as proof of language for residency and citizenship.

Lycée Français Charles Lepierre entrance in Lisbon, one of Portugal's two full AEFE schools

French Schools in Portugal: AEFE Lycées vs. Portuguese School and CNED

Portugal's AEFE network has 2 full lycées (Lisbon, Porto) plus 2 partner schools, none in the Algarve. Compare 2026 tuition, admissions and CNED.

Modern office building in Lisbon housing global employers, part of finding a job in Portugal

How to Find a Job in Portugal: A Practical Guide

How to find a legal job in Portugal in 2026: IEFP registration, EU vs. non-EU work rules, real contract types, the minimum wage, and scams to avoid.

Terracotta rooftops of Lisbon's Alfama overlooking the Tagus River, the everyday Portugal behind the is-it-worth-it debate

Is Portugal Still Worth It in 2026? An Honest Look

House prices are up 17.8% and NHR is gone, but the basics still hold. An honest, source-checked look at whether Portugal is worth it in 2026.

CPLP headquarters gate in Lisbon, the treaty body behind São Tomé e Príncipe's Portugal residency route

São Tomé and Príncipe in Portugal: A Complete 2026 Guide for the Fastest-Growing Community

São Tomé e Príncipe is Portugal's fastest-growing immigrant community: the CPLP visa route, driving-licence exchange, health quota and family rules for 2026.

Instituto Superior Técnico building and plaza at the University of Lisbon

Studying in Portugal as an International Student: Admission Routes and Special Regimes

Portugal reserves up to 5% of university places for special regimes like PALOP scholarships. Here's how CPLP and other international students apply for 2026/27.

Caixa Geral de Depósitos bank branch in Portugal, the state bank enforcing the €100,000 Russian deposit cap

Can Russians Hold More Than €100,000 in a Portuguese Bank Account?

EU law caps Russian nationals' bank deposits at €100,000 per bank — unless you hold an EU, EEA or Swiss residence permit. Here is exactly how the rule works.

Banco CTT branch storefront with a Multibanco ATM in Figueira da Foz, Portugal

Sending Money From Portugal to India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan: How to Compare the Real Cost

Compare the true cost of sending money from Portugal to India, Nepal, Bangladesh or Pakistan in 2026: fees, FX margins, transfer limits and licensed operators.

BCA bank branch with a Western Union sign in Ribeira Grande, Cabo Verde, a cash-pickup point for transfers from Portugal

Sending Money From Portugal to Angola and Cabo Verde: A Currency Guide

Compare ways to send money from Portugal to Angola and Cabo Verde in 2026: the fixed CVE rate, Angola's floating kwanza, fees, limits and licensed operators.

Caixa Geral de Depósitos bank building in Porto, representing money transfers into Portugal

Sending Money to Portugal: Remittance and Transfer Fee Comparison (2026)

Compare 2026 fees for sending money to Portugal: Wise, Revolut, N26, and bank wire costs, EU cash-declaration rules, and legal options from Brazil and Russia.

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