Moving abroad alone is scary for a reason people rarely mention: loneliness. Yet making friends in Lisbon is easier than in most cities. Here is why, and how to do it in your first weeks.
Why Lisbon makes it easy
The city is full of young Europeans who arrived recently, often alone too. Everyone is building their circle, so doors open fast.
Work, your first circle
In multilingual teams your colleagues come from all over Europe and live the same experience as you. By far the number one source of friendships in the first months.
Shared housing, a social shortcut
Living in shared housing with other newcomers creates bonds within days. Many jobs that include accommodation work this way, which helps enormously.
Groups and activities
Expat Facebook groups, surf lessons, sport, language exchanges, welcome nights: Lisbon is full of opportunities. You just have to show up once.
How long until it feels like home
| Period | What happens |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Finding your feet, colleagues, flatmates |
| Month 1 | First real connections, regular outings |
| Month 3 | Circle settled, it feels like home |
Arriving with people around you
Our jobs in Portugal include housing often shared with other new arrivals, and you join an international team from day one. As an EU citizen there is no visa paperwork: check your rights on EURES. Making friends in Lisbon is mostly about those first steps.
