u/Prestigious-Bet2255

Hi! I have a driving licence from my home country and I’ve just renewed my residence permit in Portugal. My driving licence is valid until 2029.
Does anyone know if I can exchange my foreign driving licence for a Portuguese one? Do I need to take a driving test or a theory test?

Edit: I checked the IMT website and I’m still a bit confused. I’ve been a resident in Portugal for about 5 years, but I’ve just renewed my residence permit. Can I still exchange my Ecuadorian driving licence for a Portuguese one now, or am I already over the time limit?

Hi everyone!
This December, my fiancée and I will celebrate our 5th anniversary, and we’ve always dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights.
We’re considering either:
December 19–23: Lisbon → Northern Lights destination → Marseille, or
December 30–January 4: Marseille → Northern Lights destination → Marseille.
Which destination would you recommend for a short trip? Is that a good time to see the aurora? Any advice on tours, routes, or destinations would be greatly appreciated.
If possible, it would also be great if you could mention the approximate budget for the trip you’re suggesting.
Thank you!

English
Hi everyone,
I’m marrying my French fiancé and moving to France. He wants a séparation de biens because he may inherit money, land, or part of a house from his grandparents. They may also give him money to buy a home.
I understand wanting to protect his family inheritance. My concern is that he’ll probably earn much more than me at first. I’m a nutritionist, but while adapting to France I may earn close to minimum wage for several years. We also want children in 3–4 years, and I may stop working for a couple of years to care for them.
For example, if his grandparents give him money to buy our family home, would the house belong only to him under separation of property, even if I later contribute to the mortgage, renovations, household costs, or stay home with the children?
Would pure séparation de biens be fair in this situation, or would another regime protect both of us while keeping his inheritance separate?
I’d appreciate advice from couples with a large income difference or where one parent stopped working to raise the children.

Français
Bonjour à tous,
Je vais me marier avec mon fiancé français et m’installer en France. Il souhaite que nous choisissions le régime de la séparation de biens, car il pourrait hériter d’une somme d’argent, de terrains ou d’une partie de la maison de ses grands-parents. Ils pourraient aussi lui donner de l’argent pour acheter une maison.
Je comprends tout à fait qu’il souhaite protéger son héritage familial. Ce qui m’inquiète, c’est qu’au début il gagnera probablement beaucoup plus que moi. Je suis nutritionniste, mais le temps de m’adapter à la France, je travaillerai probablement pour un salaire proche du SMIC pendant plusieurs années. Nous aimerions aussi avoir des enfants dans 3 ou 4 ans, et je pourrais arrêter de travailler pendant quelques années pour m’occuper d’eux.
Par exemple, si ses grands-parents lui donnent de l’argent pour acheter notre résidence principale, est-ce que la maison lui appartiendrait uniquement en cas de séparation de biens, même si je contribue ensuite au crédit immobilier, aux rénovations, aux dépenses du foyer ou si je reste à la maison pour élever nos enfants ?
Est-ce que la séparation de biens est vraiment le régime le plus adapté dans cette situation, ou existe-t-il un autre régime qui protégerait à la fois son héritage et notre couple ?
J’aimerais beaucoup avoir l’avis de personnes ayant une grande différence de revenus ou dont l’un des conjoints a arrêté de travailler pour élever les enfants.

English
Hi everyone,
I’m marrying my French fiancé and moving to France. He wants a séparation de biens because he may inherit money, land, or part of a house from his grandparents. They may also give him money to buy a home.
I understand wanting to protect his family inheritance. My concern is that he’ll probably earn much more than me at first. I’m a nutritionist, but while adapting to France I may earn close to minimum wage for several years. We also want children in 3–4 years, and I may stop working for a couple of years to care for them.
For example, if his grandparents give him money to buy our family home, would the house belong only to him under separation of property, even if I later contribute to the mortgage, renovations, household costs, or stay home with the children?
Would pure séparation de biens be fair in this situation, or would another regime protect both of us while keeping his inheritance separate?
I’d appreciate advice from couples with a large income difference or where one parent stopped working to raise the children.

Français
Bonjour à tous,
Je vais me marier avec mon fiancé français et m’installer en France. Il souhaite que nous choisissions le régime de la séparation de biens, car il pourrait hériter d’une somme d’argent, de terrains ou d’une partie de la maison de ses grands-parents. Ils pourraient aussi lui donner de l’argent pour acheter une maison.
Je comprends tout à fait qu’il souhaite protéger son héritage familial. Ce qui m’inquiète, c’est qu’au début il gagnera probablement beaucoup plus que moi. Je suis nutritionniste, mais le temps de m’adapter à la France, je travaillerai probablement pour un salaire proche du SMIC pendant plusieurs années. Nous aimerions aussi avoir des enfants dans 3 ou 4 ans, et je pourrais arrêter de travailler pendant quelques années pour m’occuper d’eux.
Par exemple, si ses grands-parents lui donnent de l’argent pour acheter notre résidence principale, est-ce que la maison lui appartiendrait uniquement en cas de séparation de biens, même si je contribue ensuite au crédit immobilier, aux rénovations, aux dépenses du foyer ou si je reste à la maison pour élever nos enfants ?
Est-ce que la séparation de biens est vraiment le régime le plus adapté dans cette situation, ou existe-t-il un autre régime qui protégerait à la fois son héritage et notre couple ?
J’aimerais beaucoup avoir l’avis de personnes ayant une grande différence de revenus ou dont l’un des conjoints a arrêté de travailler pour élever les enfants.

Olá! Formei-me em Dietetica e Nutrição em Portugal, estou inscrita na Ordem dos Nutricionistas e provavelmente vou mudar-me para França no próximo ano.
Sei que a língua será o principal desafio e que, no início, poderei ter de trabalhar noutra área. No futuro, gostaria de exercer em restauração coletiva ou nutrição clínica, especialmente em instituições para idosos, escolas, hospitais etc.
Além do francês, há alguma equivalência, reconhecimento do diploma ou requisito importante que deva preparar? Alguém passou por uma experiência semelhante?
Vou viver com o meu marido francês e tenho apoio familiar no país.

Oi pessoal, recomendem alguma costureira perto de monte da caparica.

Hello everyone,

I’m determined to learn how to sew because I’m tired of polyester clothing. I’d like to try making my own bikinis for personal use only, not to sell.

I’ve seen brands using fabrics like 92% Australian merino wool / 8% elastane or 98% organic cotton / 2% Lycra, and I’m wondering if these are actually suitable for swimwear.

Does anyone know where I can buy these types of fabrics in Europe?

Any beginner-friendly advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

Hi everyone,
Has anyone who had an appointment at AIMA Tavira around May already received their residence card?

I’m starting to panic a bit. I applied to change my residence permit from student to worker (Art. 122(j)) and had my appointment on May 4. It’s been 2 months and I haven’t received any updates.
My lawyer booked the appointment using an email I no longer have access to.

At my appointment, I asked AIMA to use my current email (which already has an AIMA account). However, when I log in, I only see my old student renewal and nothing related to my new application.
Has anyone else experienced this?

Hello everyone,
I’m a non-EU citizen with a temporary residence permit in Portugal, and I want to move to France to live with my French boyfriend, who is currently working there.
We previously lived together in Portugal, and he is on my rental contract, so I have some proof of our relationship.
I know marriage is probably the easiest path, but I’m wondering if already being a legal resident in another EU country makes anything easier. Could it help with moving to France, applying for PACS, getting a residence permit, or working there?
Has anyone been in a similar situation?
Thank you!

Hi everyone,

My friend in the U.S. wants to send me some chocolates as a birthday gift.

Has anyone received chocolates or other packaged food from the U.S. to france? Did you have any issues with
, taxes, delays, or restrictions on food items?

The chocolates would be commercially packaged (not homemade). I’d love to hear about your experiences before my friend ships them.

Hi everyone,

My friend in the U.S. wants to send me some chocolates as a birthday gift. Has anyone received chocolates or other packaged food from the U.S. to Portugal? Did you have any issues with customs, taxes, delays, or restrictions on food items?

The chocolates would be commercially packaged (not homemade). I’d love to hear about your experiences before my friend ships them.

Hi everyone,
My residence expired in January, and I could have applied up to 2 months before, but I didn’t have all the documents ready at the time.
I just had my AIMA appointment and wanted to share exactly how it went and what they asked for, in case it helps someone.
Timeline:
Prepared all my documents in January
Submitted mid-January
Got my appointment in the first week of February for May 4
This was for renewing my residence (switching from student to worker)
I live in Lisbon but had to go to Tavira for the appointment.
At the appointment:
I arrived today but unfortunately didn’t have all the documents they wanted.
For proof of accommodation, they asked for:
Rental contract
Last receipt of rent payment
Proof that the contract is registered in Finanças
Letter of my landlord saying I reside there
I had also brought extra documents just in case (copy of landlord’s ID, certidão predial, and another document).
I panicked a bit because I didn’t understand what “contract in Finanças” meant, but luckily someone there helped me in the moment.
I also forgot to print the comprovativo (payment proof) of my rent (my mistake), but I asked if I could send it by email and they said yes.
Work-related documents they asked for:
Work contract
Letter from employer confirming I’m working
Last 3 payslips (vencimentos)
Other documents:
NIF
NISS
Número de utente
Proof of no debt from Finanças
Proof of no debt from Segurança Social
After that, they let me proceed.
Inside (biometrics/photo stage):
The guard who checked documents didn’t ask for my criminal record, but when I went in for photos I told them I had it, and they said perfect.
I also showed:
My university diploma
Important note (Permanent Residency):
I tried to apply for permanent residency, but they told me I couldn’t because I don’t have IRS yet (I just started working this year).
They said I can apply next year.
Processing time & delivery:
I asked how long it would take — they said 2–3 months.
I told them I probably won’t be home when the card arrives. They explained:
CTT will leave a notice if delivery fails and keep it for 5 days
Then it gets sent back to Tavira
Tavira office will call me ko

EDIT :

Nos termos da Lei nº23/2007, de 4 de Julho:

TÍTULO DE RESIDÊNCIA TEMPORÁRIA n° 1 art. 75° Lei 23/2007 e al. c) n° 1 Ponto III Portaria 307/2023 - TR temporário - Concessão
TÍTULO DE RESIDÊNCIA al. a) n° 1 Ponto III Portaria 307/2023-Recepção e Análise AR temporárla - Concessão

Hi everyone,

I’m thinking about getting a lifeguard certification in Portugal, but I might move to France next year and would like to work there as a lifeguard as well.

Does anyone know if lifeguard certifications are recognized across EU countries, or would I need to get certified again in France?

Also, one concern is that my French level is A2. would that be a problem for working as a lifeguard there?

Thanks in advance for any advice!