Posts by

Larissa Miranda

Writer & editor

Larissa Miranda is a writer and editor at Unlock Portugal.

Piódão schist village lit up at night cascading down the hillside — a hidden gem in central Portugal

Hidden Gems in Portugal: 18 Places Tourists Miss (2026)

Key Takeaways: Portugal’s best hidden gems sit far from the Lisbon-Porto-Algarve tourist trail. The schist village of Piódão, the granite hamlet of

Historic riverside promenade and old bridge in Tavira, a popular retirement town in the Algarve

Retiring in Portugal: 2026 Costs & Visa for Americans

Key Takeaways: Retiring in Portugal usually means the D7 passive income visa, which fits Social Security and pension income. A couple can live comfortably

Loja do Cidadao public service building in Portugal, where residents handle official paperwork

How to Renew Your Residence Permit in Portugal (2026)

How to renew a Portuguese residence permit through AIMA in 2026: documents needed, the post-hike €440 (~$510) fee, and what to do if your card expired.

Modern Lisbon city skyline with office buildings — D3 visa Portugal for highly qualified workers

D3 Visa Portugal 2026: Highly Qualified Worker Guide

D3 visa Portugal lets skilled professionals earning €1,611+/month relocate. See how US workers qualify, apply, and reach EU Blue Card status in 2026.

Classroom with desks and chalkboard representing schools in Portugal for expats

Schools in Portugal for Expats: 2026 Family Guide

Here’s something that surprises most American parents I talk to: public school in Portugal is genuinely free, even for foreign residents, and the

Panoramic daytime view over Lisbon's terracotta rooftops toward the 25 de Abril bridge

Moving to Portugal from Canada: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

So you're thinking about trading Canadian winters for Atlantic sun. Good call. Roughly 3,000 Canadians now hold Portuguese residency, and the number keeps

Traditional Portuguese building facade with ceramic azulejo tiles and wrought-iron balconies

Buying Property in Portugal as a Foreigner [2026 US Guide]

Yes, foreigners can buy property in Portugal with no restrictions, and that includes Americans. Buying property in Portugal as a foreigner means you'll

Porto Ribeira riverfront with colorful houses and rabelo boats on the Douro, illustrating the cost of living in Porto Portugal 2026

Cost of Living in Porto 2026: 6 Costs US Expats Face

Living in Porto in 2026 costs a single person roughly $1,600 to $2,350 (~€1,400 to €2,050) a month; couples should budget $2,450 to $3,450.

Iconic yellow Tram 28 on a historic Lisbon street, illustrating the cost of living in Lisbon Portugal 2026

Cost of Living in Lisbon 2026: 7 Costs US Expats Face

Living in Lisbon in 2026 costs a single American $2,150 to $3,000 a month, a couple $3,150 to $4,300. See real 2026 costs for rent, groceries, and healthcare.

Kayakers among the golden sea cliffs at Ponta da Piedade, Lagos, in the Algarve, Portugal

Living in the Algarve 2026: An Expat & Retiree Guide

Quick Facts Beyond the Algarve, compare it against the best beaches in Portugal for 2026 from the green north down to the golden south.Monthly cost

Ponta do Sol seaside village in Madeira, home of the digital nomad community

Madeira for Digital Nomads in 2026: Cost & Visa Guide

Quick FactsBest baseFunchal (city) or Ponta do Sol (nomad village)Internet speedFiber commonly 100-500 Mbps in FunchalMonthly cost~$1,900-$2,600

Driver POV on Portugal A25 motorway, relevant to getting a Portuguese drivers license

Portuguese Driver’s License: 2026 Guide (US & EU)

To get a Portuguese driver's license, exchange your foreign one at the IMT for a flat €30 fee, or pass exams. See the 2-year deadline and required documents.

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