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Meeting people and making friends in Portugal

Where to find English-speaking groups, language exchanges, volunteering, and clubs in Portugal, and the habits that turn contacts into friends.

Meeting people and making friends in Portugal

Last verified: September 2026.

Who this is for

  • New arrivals, EU or non-EU, who know few people in Portugal and want a social circle.
  • Remote workers, retirees, and parents looking for groups that fit their week.
  • Long-term residents who want more Portuguese friends, not only other foreigners.

Not for you if: you mainly want Portuguese lessons and exams. Read "Learning Portuguese as an expat in Portugal" instead.

Most people who move to Portugal find the first months lonely, often around month three, once the novelty fades. The fix is not one perfect group. It is a few regular activities you attend every week. Almost everything in this guide is free or costs the price of a coffee. Expect to meet plenty of people in your first month, and to have real friends after six months to a year of showing up. The fastest routes are language exchanges, volunteering, and a sport or club that meets weekly.

Where to start online

For most newcomers, online groups are the first step. Use them for questions and event listings, then move to meeting in person.

Facebook groups. These are still the main hub for English speakers in Portugal. There are national groups, groups for each city and region, and groups by nationality, by stage of life, and by interest. Search for your town plus words like "English speakers", "international", or "newcomers". Look for groups with active moderators and a pinned files section. Search old posts before you ask a question; regulars have little patience for the same question every day.

Meetup. Meetup lists language exchanges, hiking groups, tech talks, book clubs, and photo walks, mostly in Lisbon and Porto. Check the date of the last event before you join. Many groups on the platform are dormant.

InterNations. This global network for people living abroad runs communities in Lisbon and Porto, with drinks, dinners, and activity groups. A free account lets you use the forum and some events. A paid membership opens the rest; check the current price on the site. Events lean towards professionals and people on work postings.

Friend-finding apps. Bumble's friend service, BFF, lets you match with people who want friends, not dates. It changed in late 2025: in the United States it became a separate app built around groups. Check which version is available in Portugal from your app store.

WhatsApp and Telegram. Many local groups plan their events here. You usually get the invite link at an event or from a Facebook group, not by searching.

Reddit. The main Portugal community is mostly in Portuguese. Smaller communities for foreign residents answer questions in English.

Language exchanges

A language exchange (intercâmbio) is the easiest way to meet Portuguese people and foreigners at the same time. The usual format is simple. You sit with a partner, speak Portuguese for half the time and your language for the other half, then switch partners.

How to find one:

  1. Search Meetup, Eventbrite, and Facebook for "language exchange" plus your city.
  2. In university towns such as Coimbra, Braga, Aveiro, and Évora, ask at the university or student union. Students often run weekly exchanges.
  3. Ask your Portuguese class or teacher. Classmates often start their own.

Weekly evening exchanges run in Lisbon and Porto most days of the week. Smaller towns may have one a month, often in a café or bar.

Free Portuguese classes for residents

Portuguese classes are one of the best places to meet people, because you see the same faces every week. The state runs free "Portuguese as a host language" courses (Português Língua de Acolhimento, or PLA).

You can join if you are 16 or over, your first language is not Portuguese, and you have one of these:

  • a residence permit;
  • proof that you have applied for a residence permit, a renewal, or an extension of stay;
  • proof that you have applied for international or temporary protection;
  • a Social Security number (NISS);
  • a seasonal work, temporary stay, or residence visa.

Courses cover levels A1 to B2. An A2 certificate from the course counts as proof of Portuguese for permanent residence, long-term resident status, and citizenship.

Courses run at public schools, IEFP job and training centres, and Qualifica centres. To find the nearest one, email AIMA's Portuguese language team at [email protected].

Volunteering

Volunteering puts you next to Portuguese neighbours doing something useful, and most organisations need people every week. Some roles need basic Portuguese; many do not.

  • Refood. Rescues surplus food from restaurants and shops and hands it to families. Most roles take two hours a week: collecting, sorting, or handing out food. Coordinator roles take about four hours. There are local centres across the country. Sign up on the Refood website and choose your area.
  • Banco Alimentar (food bank). Runs large food collection weekends at supermarkets a few times a year, plus warehouse sorting. Good for a first try.
  • Brigada do Mar. Organises coastal and beach clean-ups. More than 15,000 volunteers have taken part since 2009.
  • Animal shelters. Local animal associations and council shelters always need dog walkers and foster homes. Ask your council or search for "associação de animais" plus your town.
  • Your parish council (junta de freguesia). Many run volunteer programmes, activities for older residents, and local events. Ask at the front desk.

Clubs, sport, and hobbies

Joining something that meets every week is the most reliable way to turn acquaintances into friends.

  • Running. Many cities have free weekly group runs. Search for "running club" or "corrida" plus your city.
  • Padel. Portugal's fastest-growing sport is played in doubles, so it is social by design. Most clubs run mix-in sessions and ladders for new players.
  • Hiking. Walking groups are popular in the Algarve, around Sintra and Arrábida, and in the north. Local walking clubs often post trips on Facebook and Meetup.
  • Surfing. Surf schools in Ericeira, Peniche, and the Algarve have their own communities and regular sessions.
  • Football. Five-a-side pick-up games for foreign residents run in most cities.
  • Local associations. Nearly every town has a recreational association (associação recreativa or colectividade) with choirs, folk dance, sports teams, and festas. They are very Portuguese and very welcoming to anyone who turns up more than once.
  • Coworking spaces. If you work remotely, pick a space with a public events calendar and a weekly community lunch or drinks. That matters more than the desk.
  • Founders and tech. Startup Grind Lisbon and similar groups hold regular talks and networking events.

Groups for families, retirees, and faith communities

Parents. Your child's school is your biggest social network. Join the parents' association (associação de pais) and go to school events. Parent groups for English speakers exist on Facebook in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.

Retirees. Senior universities (universidades seniores) offer classes, trips, and clubs for anyone aged 50 or over. More than 300 organisations take part, with about 45,000 students. The average fee is about €12 a month. Classes follow the school year, from September or October to June or July. Find one through the national network, RUTIS.

Faith communities. Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve all have churches with services in English. Some Catholic parishes in Lisbon hold Mass in English. Yoga and meditation studios in the big cities also draw international crowds.

LGBTQ+ residents. Lisbon and Porto have active LGBTQ+ social groups, many organised on Facebook, Meetup, and Instagram.

Official help settling in

Local support centres for migrant integration (CLAIM) are free offices, usually run with the council or a local association. Staff help with questions about paperwork, work, schools, and local services. They also know what is happening locally, from language classes to community events. AIMA lists them on its website, and most larger councils have one.

What each area is like

  • Lisbon. The largest and most varied international community. Easy to meet people, but many are passing through, so deeper friendships take longer.
  • Porto. A smaller, more settled community with more long-term residents. Locals are often described as warmer and quicker to invite you in.
  • Algarve. A large, older community, with many British and German residents. Strong for retirees and families, especially around Lagos, Tavira, and Loulé.
  • Silver Coast. A growing community around Caldas da Rainha, Óbidos, and Peniche. Active local groups and lower costs.
  • Braga and the Minho. Small but lively, with a student feel and a very Portuguese daily life.
  • Madeira and the Azores. Small communities that welcome newcomers quickly. You will speak more Portuguese here.

What works, and what does not

What works:

  • Going every week. The same group, the same day. Familiarity turns into friendship.
  • Learning Portuguese. Even basic effort changes how people treat you. It opens doors that stay shut to English-only speakers.
  • Mixing. Spend time with Portuguese people and other nationalities, not only people from home.
  • Saying yes. In your first year, accept every invitation you can.
  • Organising. If nothing exists, start it. A Saturday walk, a book club, or a WhatsApp brunch group will fill up.

What does not:

  • Expecting quick closeness. Portuguese people are warm but often keep friendships at the surface for a long time. That is a cultural pattern, not rejection.
  • Acting as if you are leaving. If you treat Portugal as temporary, people invest less in you.
  • Complaining online. Constructive questions get help. Endless complaints get ignored.

If loneliness does not lift

For most people, loneliness fades as routines form. If it lasts or affects your sleep, work, or mood, get help early. The SNS 24 line (808 24 24 24) has a free psychological counselling service. Your family doctor at the health centre can refer you. English-speaking therapists practise in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, and online therapy works from Portugal. See "Mental health support in Portugal" for options and costs.

What it costs

  • Facebook groups, Meetup, Reddit, and WhatsApp groups: free.
  • Language exchanges: free; you buy a drink.
  • Free Portuguese courses (PLA): free.
  • Volunteering: free.
  • InterNations: free account, with a paid membership for full event access.
  • Senior universities: about €12 a month on average.
  • Sport clubs, padel, and coworking: vary by club and city.

Sources

Last verified September 2026. Rules and fees change; check the official source before acting.

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