Must-Have Apps for Life in Portugal
Moovit
For navigating Portuguese cities, the Moovit app is an essential companion. Covering a wide range of regions like Lisbon, Porto, Portimão, and even Funchal, Moovit helps you plan your route using all available modes of transportation. Whether you’re walking, cycling, or hopping on a tram, this app makes city travel a breeze, helping you feel like a local quickly. Download it here.
CP (Comboios de Portugal)
If trains are your go-to for exploring the country, the CP app is super handy. It allows you to easily buy tickets, check timetables, and find discounts on Portugal's rail network. The app keeps you up to date with any changes in scheduling, ensuring smooth travel across the country. Find it here.
Carris
For those commuting in Lisbon, the Carris app is perfect for navigating the city’s extensive bus system. You can plan routes, purchase tickets, and stay informed about service updates all in one place. It's a convenient solution for both frequent and occasional travelers in the capital. A newer app, CarrisWay, also enables easier pass management via your smartphone. Get it here!
Shopping
OLX
Looking for a marketplace in Portugal where you can buy almost anything? is your go-to app for everything from cars to clothing. Whether you’re purchasing or selling, it’s an excellent platform for finding secondhand goods and more based on your location. Download it here!
Vinted
For the environmentally conscious, Vinted is an ideal app. It offers an array of secondhand clothing and accessories for sale and allows users to sell their own items, contributing to a more sustainable way of shopping. You can refresh your wardrobe and make some extra cash at the same time. Get the app here!
Language
DeepL
Move over, Google Translate...there's a new sheriff in town if you're struggling with the Portuguese language. DeepL will be your best friend when scratching your head in Whatsapp mom groups or event meetups. With its camera feature, you can easily translate signs, menus, and other text just by pointing your camera at it. It’s an indispensable app for day-to-day life in Portugal. Find it here.
Duolingo
Want to actively learn Portuguese? While there's no substitute for one-on-one or intensive group classes, Memrise can offer bite-sized lessons to help you pick up the language at your own pace, and unlike other apps like Duolingo, it actually teaches you European Portuguese, not Brazilian Portuguese. And yes, there is a difference. Download it here.
Scooters, Bikes, and Parking
Gira
Living in Lisbon and prefer to pedal your way around? Gira, the city’s bike-sharing system, is a must, although at times it can be frustrating with its functionality. The app helps you locate nearby docking stations and choose between classic or electric bikes. With a variety of subscription levels, you can tailor your plan to fit your needs. All in all the occasional headache is worth it. Get it here.
Lime
For those who prefer scooters, Lime offers electric scooters in Lisbon, providing an eco-friendly way to get around. Simply download the app, scan the QR code on a scooter, and you’re good to go. It’s a great option for quick, sustainable transportation, and the kids love it. Just remember, the sidewalks are narrow, so please keep it in the street and make sure when you park, don't block pedestrian traffic. Moms with strollers will not be very happy with you. Download it here.
EMEL Park
If you're looking for an easy way to pay for parking, top up your payment, and get alerted when you've been there too long, this app has your name al over it. Just download the app and you're well on your way to know, at a glance, if where you parked is above board, and what the fees associated with it are. Find it here!
The Home Essentials - Final Tip
Finally, the light, gas, and water meter readings, it's generally easy to download your provider's app so that your readings stay up to date. There's a lot of crashing going on with some of these apps at times, but when they work...they work. Galp, EPAL, SMAS, LisboaGas, and more have set up online to facilitate readings, so take a look at the app store (or on Google Play) to see what's available for you!