Living in Portugal

General

Portugal is located on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula between latitudes 36º 57‚ N and 42º 9‚ N. It has a total area of approximately 92,000 sq. kms. Continental Portugal occupies an area of 89,000 sq. kms and the country includes two archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores - situated in the Atlantic at distances of 1050 kms. South-West and 1400 kms. West respectively of the mainland. Portugal is bordered by Spain to its North and East and by the Atlantic Ocean to its South and West. The Portuguese Government claims exclusive economic zone extending to 200 miles from the coastlines of the continent and the islands of the two archipelagos. Jurisdiction was also exercised (up to 1999) over the enclave of Macau, which lies 64 kms west of Hong Kong.

The climate is mild with average temperatures ranging from 5º C to 18º C in winter to 20º C to 35º C in summer. The country is divided into three parts by the Douro and the Tejo rivers, which flow from East to West and enter the Atlantic Ocean at Porto and Lisbon respectively. North of the Douro, the terrain is relatively mountainous. The Serra da Estrela mountain range runs North to South between these two rivers and forms a ridge reaching 1995 metres. South of the Tejo is the flat plain of the Alentejo separated from the Southern Coastal plain of the Algarve by another mountain range which rises to 600 metres. Madeira is a mountainous, thickly wooded island with an equitable year-round temperature of 22º C. The Azores archipelago consists of 9 small volcanic islands with a variable but temperate climate and higher than average rainfall. The rainy season on the mainland begins in December and lasts until April. July and August are the warmest and driest months.


Population

Portugal has a population of approximately 10 million of which about 0.5 million live in Madeira and the Azores. The major cities in Portugal are: Lisbon (2.1 m), Porto (1.7 m) and Braga (0.8 m). Portugal has a large number of non-residents abroad, particularly in Northern Europe, the USA, Canada, Venezuela, Brazil and South Africa. The number of these non-residents is estimated at about 4 million. It is also estimated that Portugal has about 1 million immigrants mainly from its former African colonies particularly Angola, Mozambique and Cabo Verde. While the number of Indian citizens residing permanently in Portugal is about 1500, there has been an influx of an estimated 3500-4000 illegal immigrants (who have come in from all over Europe ) to take advantage of a Portuguese law (since suspended) enabling them to get themselves a temporary residence and work permit on the basis of a contract of Employment and a valid national passport. All of them work in the construction and maintenance sector and many of them eventually to move out to elsewhere in the Schengen region, in search of greener pastures. The 40000 people of Indian origin (holding Portuguese passports) in Portugal fall in two broad groups - people of Goan origin (about 20000) who migrated after the liberation of the former Portuguese territories of Goa, Daman and Diu and people of Gujarati origin (who migrated from former Portuguese colony of Mozambique in the wake of the Portuguese withdrawal in 1974). A rough break up of these people would be 8000 Hindus and Ismailis each) and about 4000 Muslim.

Language and religion

Portuguese, the official language, is spoken by 180 million people in the world, including a majority of people in the former African colonies, Brazil and East Timor. The Portuguese normally understand Spanish, and those who have had higher education are proficient in French and/or English. Religious freedom is guaranteed under the Constitution. The population is predominantly Roman Catholic.


Historical background

Proclaimed as an independent country in 1140 by Afonso Henriques, the whole of Portugal was consolidated in 1249 with the present day boundaries. Except for a brief period (1580-1640) it has been independent of its large and only neighbour, Spain. The golden period in Portuguese history lasted for some 150 years in the 15th and 16th centuries when Portuguese navigators and explorers opened up sea routes to Africa, Asia and South America, establishing an extensive trading network. Portugal was governed by a hereditary and absolute monarchy up to 1910, when the monarchy was overthrown and the country was declared a Republic. A period of instability followed with frequent changes of Government. In 1926, the Army seized control and nominated Antonio Salazar as Finance Minister. Two years later he demanded and obtained absolute power and ruled as a dictator until 1968. The regime under his successor Marcello Caetano was overthrown by a non-violent army revolt backed
by popular support on 25th April 1974. A two-year period of instability followed, coinciding with unprecedented increases in international oil prices. A new Constitution was proclaimed in 1976 establishing Portugal as a Parliamentary Democracy. After a series of provisional and constitutional governments (17 in 13 years), Portugal enjoyed ten years of political stability under a Social Democratic Government led by Prime Minister Anibal Cavaco Silva. In the last general elections (17.3.2002) the right-wing coalition of Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Popular Party (CDS-PP) was returned to power, after six years of Socialist (PS) rule. Jose Manuel Durao Barroso (PSD) was sworn-in as PM on 6.4.2002 along with a (coalition) cabinet of 17 Ministers.


Cultural and Social life

Portugal has a varied countryside and an extensive coastline with many sandy beaches which rank amongst the best in Europe. The national sport is soccer. Bull-fighting is popular but, unlike in Spain, the bull is not killed in the arena. Large number of museums, historical sites and traditional restaurants provide other recreational outlets. There are various clubs providing facilities for tennis, golf and swimming but these are extremely expensive. There are two state-owned and two private TV channels which provide fairly interesting fare. Several English language films are telecast with Portuguese sub-titles. The typical Portuguese music Fado‚ can be heard in special establishments in the older part of the city. In addition to Portuguese and Western restaurants, there are several Chinese and some Indian restaurants.


Cost of living

The cost of living in Portugal is relatively high as compared with other European capitals. While all essential items are readily available in a wide array, they are expensive. Over 70% of its food and other requirements are imported.


Currency

Portugal, along with 11 other countries in the Euro, switched over to Euro on 1.1.2002. The Portuguese Escudo ceased to be legal tender with effect from 01.3.2002.

Accommodation

The Chancery and the Embassy Residence are located in Government-owned properties. Residential accommodation leased for the other India-based officials are furnished apartments for which no rental ceilings have been fixed. Current rates being paid for the apartments range from Eur. 800 and 1800 p.m.


Chancery

The Indian Embassy started functioning in Portugal after the restoration of diplomatic relations in June 1975. The chancery is located in an independent villa in the suburban diplomatic area of Restelo , about 10 kms. from the city centre. The Embassy Residence (as also most of the leased apartments for the Embassy personnel) is located in Restelo.


Transportation

The transport system in Lisbon is fairly satisfactory and includes buses, trams, a limited metro service, taxis and a suburban train service. Local prices of cars (including second hand cars ) are extremely high, as is the cost of comprehensive insurance. Sale of cars, imported duty free, is permitted only to other diplomats (due to reciprocal conditions) or after payment of customs duty.


Educational facilities

St. Dominic‚s College, an English medium school up to XII standard, is the only approved school on the Mission‚s panel. It is situated at a distance of about 15 kms. from the Chancery. While the school provides for additional classes in the English language, a minimum proficiency in English is essential to obtain admission to the School. The academic term is from September to June. The school fees are directly payable by the Mission to the school with the officers bearing 1% of the tuition fee (in lieu of cost of books etc.) in addition to other normal charges.


Health and medical facilities

The Embassy has four hospitals on its approved panel - British Hospital (LUKH), Hospital Particular de Lisboa (HOPALIS), ISU Hospital CUF and Clinica de Todos. All of them are located in the city centre and can be easily accessed. The prices of medicines are quite high as compared to India. Officials may like to bring with them patent medicines in adequate quantities, especially Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medicines. Persons suffering from or susceptible to allergies may be cautioned about the possibility of their exacerbation during their stay in Portugal.


Domestic appliances

All domestic and household appliances of local and foreign makes are available, but their prices are high. Such items could be ordered duty free from international diplomatic mail order houses for which, however, local clearance charges are very high. The local bonded store has a limited variety of general merchandise and foodstuffs including spirits and cigarettes.


Public utility services

Electricity in Lisbon is 220-230 volts AC, 50 cycles. Almost all apartments have piped gas connections and are usually fitted with a gas cooking range and a gas geyser. Laundry facilities and availability of servants.
Washing has to be mostly done at home as the commercial laundries are expensive. Domestic servants are not available at all. The average wage of part-time maid is Eur. 5/- per hour. Clothing

Although all varieties of clothing and readymade garments are available locally, their prices are high and their quality not very good. It is advisable to bring the maximum amount of clothing from India.

Food

Essential food items are available though most of them are imported. Indian spices and foodstuffs, including basmati rice, are imported from London by local shopkeepers and are expensive. Traditional Indian cooking utensils are not available and should invariably be brought from India.


Approved hotels in Lisbon and Porto

Lisbon: Hotel Meridien (5 Star), Rua Castilho, 149 (Tel. 690900), Hotel Ritz (5 Star), Rua Rodrigues da Fonseca, Hotel Sheraton (5 Star), Rua Latina Coelha, No.1, Hotel Tivoli (5 Star), Av. da Liberdade, 185, Hotel fenix (4 Star), Praca Marques de Pombal, No.8, Hotel Embaixador (3 Star), Av. Duque de Loule, No.73, Hotel de Torre (3 Star - nearest to Embassy), Rua das Jeronimos, 8.

Porto: Hotel Meridein (5 Star), Av. da Boavista, 1466, Hotel Sheraton (5 Star), Av. da Boavista, 1269, Hotel D. Henrique (4 Star), Rua Guedes de Azeveda, 179, Hotel INCA (4 Star), Praca Colonel Pacheco, 52.


Approved route

The approved route from India is New Delhi-Paris (Air India) and Paris-Lisbon by foreign airlines. Since Air India operates from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, it is advisable to choose a connecting foreign airline operating from the same airport (and not Orly). Lisbon is well connected by air to all European countries, to the United States and major cities in Latin America.


Visas

Visa is essential. Portugal is signatory to the Schengen Agreement.


Time

5 hours behind Indian Standard Time (Winter: Nov - March)
4 hours behind IST (Summer: April - October)

Conclusion

On the whole, Portugal provides a friendly and congenial environment, although in terms of affluence and prosperity, it lags behind other European countries.