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European Portuguese

Portugal Bureaucracy Phrasebook

For the appointments where nobody hands you an interpreter: your residency office, healthcare registration, the bank, and signing a lease.

Officials in Portugal are generally polite but appointments run on strict process and paperwork, and English is not guaranteed at public offices, so a few accurate phrases go a long way. Use the polite, formal phrasing below, speak slowly, and don't hesitate to ask someone to repeat or write a number down.

Before you go

AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) handles residency; bring your passport, proof of address, passport photos, and your appointment confirmation, and expect to wait even with a booked slot. The Centro de Saúde is where you register for the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) and get your número de utente; bring your passport or residence document, NIF, and proof of address. Banks require your NIF (tax number), passport, and proof of address to open an account. For housing, landlords typically want your NIF, ID, and proof of income before signing a contrato de arrendamento.

Residency and immigration appointment (AIMA)

AIMA staff may or may not speak English, appointments are strict about time and documents, and queues are common even with a booking.

  • Good morning, I have an appointment at AIMA.

    Bom dia, tenho uma marcação na AIMA.

    bohn DEE-ah, TEN-yoo OO-mah mar-kah-SOWN nah ah-EE-mah

    formal, at the counter

    Open in translator

  • My name is [name] and I have an appointment for [time].

    Chamo-me [nome] e tenho uma marcação para as [hora].

    SHAH-moo-meh [nome] ee TEN-yoo OO-mah mar-kah-SOWN PAH-rah ash [hora]

    fill in your name and appointment time

    Open in translator

  • I don't speak Portuguese very well. Do you speak English, please?

    Não falo bem português. Fala inglês, por favor?

    NOW FAH-loo beng poor-too-GESH. FAH-lah eeng-GLESH, poor fah-VOR

    formal

    Open in translator

  • Here are my documents.

    Aqui estão os meus documentos.

    ah-KEE shtOWN oosh MEH-oosh doo-koo-MEN-toosh

    Open in translator

  • I am here to apply for a residence permit.

    Venho pedir o título de residência.

    VEN-yoo peh-DEER oo TEE-too-loo deh reh-zee-DEN-syah

    formal

    Open in translator

  • Do I need to bring any other document for this application?

    Preciso de trazer mais algum documento para este pedido?

    preh-SEE-zoo deh trah-ZAIR mah-eez al-GOONG doo-koo-MEN-too PAH-rah ESH-teh peh-DEE-doo

    Open in translator

  • When will my residence card be ready?

    Quando é que o título de residência fica pronto?

    KWAN-doo eh keh oo TEE-too-loo deh reh-zee-DEN-syah FEE-kah PROHN-too

    Open in translator

  • Where should I check in? Where is the waiting room?

    Onde me devo apresentar? Onde fica a sala de espera?

    OHN-jeh meh DEH-voo ah-preh-zen-TAR? OHN-jeh FEE-kah ah SAH-lah deh shPEH-rah

    at the counter

    Open in translator

Healthcare registration and at the doctor (SNS / Centro de Saude)

Front-desk staff at the centro de saude and many doctors have limited English outside big cities, so having the basics ready to register and describe a symptom helps.

  • I would like to register at this health center.

    Gostaria de me inscrever neste centro de saúde.

    goosh-tah-REE-ah deh meh eensh-kreh-VAIR NESH-teh SEN-troo deh sah-OO-deh

    formal

    Open in translator

  • I don't have a user number yet.

    Ainda não tenho número de utente.

    ah-EEN-dah now TEN-yoo NOO-meh-roo deh oo-TEN-teh

    Open in translator

  • I would like to make an appointment with a doctor.

    Gostaria de marcar uma consulta com o médico.

    goosh-tah-REE-ah deh mar-KAR OO-mah kon-SOOL-tah kong oo MEH-jee-koo

    Open in translator

  • I have a headache / a stomach ache / a fever.

    Tenho dor de cabeça / dor de estômago / febre.

    TEN-yoo dor deh kah-BEH-sah / dor deh shTOH-mah-goo / FEH-breh

    Open in translator

  • I am allergic to ___.

    Sou alérgico a ___ (alérgica, if you're a woman).

    soh ah-LEHR-zhee-koo / ah-LEHR-zhee-kah ah ___

    alergico (male speaker) / alergica (female speaker)

    Open in translator

  • I need a prescription, please.

    Preciso de uma receita, por favor.

    preh-SEE-zoo deh OO-mah reh-SAY-tah, poor fah-VOR

    Open in translator

  • Is this covered by the SNS?

    Isto está coberto pelo SNS?

    EESH-too shTAH koo-BEHR-too PEH-loo ESS-eh EN-eh ESS-eh

    SNS is said as separate letters

    Open in translator

  • Do you have a doctor who speaks English?

    Tem algum médico que fale inglês?

    teng al-GOONG MEH-jee-koo keh FAH-leh eeng-GLESH

    Open in translator

Opening a bank account

Bank staff in cities usually speak some English, but having your NIF and the key vocabulary ready speeds up the appointment.

  • I would like to open a bank account.

    Gostaria de abrir uma conta bancária.

    goosh-tah-REE-ah deh ah-BREER OO-mah KON-tah ban-KAH-ryah

    formal

    Open in translator

  • Here is my NIF (tax identification number).

    Aqui está o meu NIF, o número de identificação fiscal.

    ah-KEE shTAH oo meh-oo NEEF, oo NOO-meh-roo deh ee-den-tee-fee-kah-SOWN feesh-KAHL

    Open in translator

  • I need proof of address.

    Preciso de um comprovativo de morada.

    preh-SEE-zoo deh oong kom-proo-vah-TEE-voo deh moo-RAH-dah

    Open in translator

  • I would like a debit card.

    Gostaria de um cartão de débito.

    goosh-tah-REE-ah deh oong kar-TOWN deh DEH-bee-too

    Open in translator

  • What are the monthly account fees?

    Quais são as comissões mensais da conta?

    KWYSH sown ash koo-mee-SOYNSH men-SYSH dah KON-tah

    Open in translator

  • Can I set up online banking?

    Posso ativar o acesso ao homebanking?

    POH-soo ah-tee-VAR oo ah-SEH-soo ow home-banking

    homebanking is a common loanword used at Portuguese banks

    Open in translator

  • I would like to make a transfer.

    Gostaria de fazer uma transferência.

    goosh-tah-REE-ah deh fah-ZAIR OO-mah transh-feh-REN-syah

    Open in translator

  • Is there a minimum opening deposit?

    Há um depósito mínimo de abertura?

    ah oong deh-POH-zee-too MEE-nee-moo deh ah-behr-TOO-rah

    Open in translator

Housing and signing a lease

Landlords and agents range from very formal to casual; know the standard rental vocabulary (renda, caucao, contrato de arrendamento) since it differs from Brazilian Portuguese terms.

  • I would like to view the apartment.

    Gostaria de ver o apartamento.

    goosh-tah-REE-ah deh vair oo ah-par-tah-MEN-too

    Open in translator

  • How much is the rent per month?

    Quanto é a renda por mês?

    KWAN-too eh ah REN-dah poor mesh

    Open in translator

  • Is the deposit two months' rent?

    A caução é de dois meses de renda?

    ah kow-SOWN eh deh doysh MEH-zesh deh REN-dah

    Open in translator

  • Are utilities (water, electricity, gas) included in the rent?

    As despesas de água, luz e gás estão incluídas na renda?

    ash desh-PEH-zash deh AH-gwah, loosh ee gash shtown een-kloo-EE-dash nah REN-dah

    Open in translator

  • When can I sign the lease?

    Quando posso assinar o contrato de arrendamento?

    KWAN-doo POH-soo ah-see-NAR oo kon-TRAH-too deh ah-ren-dah-MEN-too

    Open in translator

  • Is the apartment furnished?

    O apartamento está mobilado?

    oo ah-par-tah-MEN-too shTAH moo-bee-LAH-doo

    Open in translator

  • How long is the lease?

    Qual é a duração do contrato?

    kwahl eh ah doo-rah-SOWN doo kon-TRAH-too

    Open in translator

  • I need a copy of the contract, please.

    Preciso de uma cópia do contrato, por favor.

    preh-SEE-zoo deh OO-mah KOH-pyah doo kon-TRAH-too, poor fah-VOR

    Open in translator

Everyday essentials on arrival

Basic courtesy phrases and small transactions (SIM card, directions, prices) you'll use constantly in shops, kiosks, and on the street.

  • Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening.

    Bom dia / Boa tarde / Boa noite.

    bohn DEE-ah / BOH-ah TAR-d / BOH-ah NOY-teh

    Open in translator

  • Please, and thank you.

    Por favor, e obrigado (obrigada, if you're a woman).

    poor fah-VOR, ee oh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah

    obrigado (male speaker) / obrigada (female speaker)

    Open in translator

  • Do you speak English?

    Fala inglês?

    FAH-lah eeng-GLESH

    Open in translator

  • I would like to buy a SIM card.

    Gostaria de comprar um cartão SIM.

    goosh-tah-REE-ah deh kom-PRAR oong kar-TOWN seem

    Open in translator

  • Can you help me, please?

    Pode ajudar-me, por favor?

    POH-jeh ah-zhoo-DAR-meh, poor fah-VOR

    Open in translator

  • Where is the nearest pharmacy / train station / supermarket?

    Onde fica a farmácia / a estação de comboios / o supermercado mais próximo?

    OHN-jeh FEE-kah ah far-MAH-syah / ah shtah-SOWN deh kom-BOY-oosh / oo soo-pehr-mehr-KAH-doo mysh PROH-see-moo

    swap in whichever place you need

    Open in translator

  • How much does this cost?

    Quanto custa isto?

    KWAN-too KOOSH-tah EESH-too

    Open in translator

  • Excuse me, I don't understand. Could you repeat that, please?

    Desculpe, não percebo. Pode repetir, por favor?

    desh-KOOL-peh, now pehr-SEH-boo. POH-jeh reh-peh-TEER, poor fah-VOR

    Open in translator

Planning the move itself?

This phrasebook is the language layer. For the visa route, the true cost, and the tax reality of Portugal, read the full corridor guide.

Moving to Portugal from the USA All country phrasebooks

Take Root Abroad is a planning tool, not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Phrasing and office names change; confirm the current requirements for your situation locally. Translations are a starting point, not a substitute for a professional interpreter in high-stakes settings.