Moving to another country involves more than just packing your bags or looking for a house. There are habits, expressions and ways of being that don't appear in travel guides or blogs. For those who decide to live in Portugal, some mistakes are common and they are not just grammatical.

This is the case reported by Alexandra Victoria Bonte, a foreign resident in the country, who shared in a video the main mistakes made by those who arrive from abroad. According to GB News, the author highlighted four misconceptions that many have about Portugal and that it is best to avoid.

Saying 'thank you' may be right, but it may also be wrong

The first issue concerns language. According to the same source, many English speakers believe that "obrigado" serves universally as a form of gratitude. However, the word varies according to the gender of the person who pronounces it: “obrigado” for men, “obrigada” for women.

This detail may seem insignificant, but it is one of the first signs that European Portuguese has specific rules that should not be ignored. According to the same source, assuming that it is enough to memorise a few expressions can lead to misunderstandings.

In addition, as a form of gratitude, many of those who have been in Portugal for a short time use the term ‘gracias’, which is incorrect in the Portuguese language.

Cod is not the only food

Portuguese cuisine is another area where erroneous assumptions arise. GB News writes that some foreigners even believe that local cuisine revolves solely around cod. Alexandra Victoria Bonte points out that, although this fish is widely consumed, there is a significant diversity of dishes from the sea and land, including fresh seafood, pork and regional sausages.

According to the same source, reducing national cuisine to a single ingredient is to ignore the richness of local recipes.

There are beaches, but they’re not always what they seem

Portugal is known for its beaches, especially in the Algarve. However, not all of them live up to the image of warm, calm waters that some visitors expect. The publication explains that the Atlantic Ocean, although renowned for its beauty, is notoriously cold.

According to GB News, many expats have encountered this surprise when taking their first dip. Despite the sun and golden sand, the water temperature rarely comes close to what you’d find in tropical destinations.

Spain is ‘just around the corner’, but it’s not the same

The last misconception is also one of the most common: thinking that Portugal and Spain are essentially the same. Although they share the Iberian Peninsula, the two nations have distinct languages, cultures and histories.

The same source mentions that many tourists and newcomers treat the two cultures as equivalent, which can be poorly received by the Portuguese. Alexandra Victoria Bonte described this confusion as “a big mistake”.