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City guide

Lisbon

Portugal

Lisbon has won French families over: the light, the ocean, the gentle pace and a renowned French lycée. The flip side: everyone had the same idea, and places are earned, at school as on the housing market.

Currency
Euro (€)
Language
Portuguese
Time vs Paris
1h behind
Emergencies
112

FIAFE network

The Accueil for French-speaking families

In each city, a volunteer-run association from the FIAFE network welcomes, informs and helps French-speaking families settling in.

Lisbonne Accueil

Since 1984

Since 1984, Lisbonne Accueil has helped French-speaking families discover the city and the country: cultural outings, Portuguese heritage explorations and meetups for newcomers.

Where to meet them

By appointment, via email.

Email the association See the FIAFE page

What they offer

  • Cultural outings and heritage discoveries
  • Friendly meetups between francophones
  • Personalised welcome for newcomers
  • Practical guide and members newsletter

Other support networks

Two large national networks also support the French abroad, each with its local chapter.

  • UFE

    UFE Portugal Lisbonne

    Present in Portugal since 2001, UFE Lisbonne runs monthly dinners, cultural outings and mutual aid for the French in the Lisbon area.

    Visit the website
  • Français du monde – ADFE

    Français du monde – ADFE Portugal (Lisbonne)

    The Lisbon section of Français du monde - ADFE supports French residents of Portugal with their paperwork and represents their interests with the consular authorities.

    Email the chapter

The French business network

The local French chamber of commerce (CCI France International network) is a real asset for work: networking, job offers and help to restart a career or start a business locally.

CCI France International

CCI France Portugal (CCILF)

The largest French-speaking business community in Portugal, based in Lisbon: events, introductions and practical support to find a job or start a business locally.

Visit the website CCI country page

The online community

The Facebook groups to join

Before you even land in Lisbon, Facebook groups are the best shortcut: ask your questions, find a flat, a nanny, a second-hand stroller, and often your first friends.

💬 Explore the full group directory

Compiled from Facebook's public search, links checked in July 2026. Group sizes change all the time.

AEFE network

Accredited French schools

Schools accredited by the French Ministry of Education follow the French curriculum: your child can continue their schooling seamlessly, abroad and back in France.

💰 Compare school fees

Source: official AEFE directory, verified June 2026. aefe.gouv.fr

Tutoring and private lessons

To support your children's schooling across two systems, two solutions designed for expat families.

  • Axiom Academic

    Private lessons and tutoring for expat families: French curriculum, IB and British curriculum, at home or online, with teachers who know the schools in your city.

    Discover Axiom Academic

  • IB Tutor

    Tutors specialised in the International Baccalaureate: online lessons in every IB subject, to aim for top grades from MYP to the diploma.

    Discover IB Tutor

Schools and education

The Lycée français Charles-Lepierre, directly managed by the AEFE, is the royal road, and therefore the busiest. Redbridge and international schools offer solid alternatives, and Portuguese public school remains a real immersion option.

Good to know

  • Charles-Lepierre has long waiting lists: file the application at least a year before the target start.
  • Redbridge School (nursery to age 16) is the rising francophone alternative, in Campo de Ourique.
  • Portuguese public school is free and accessible: immersion works well for younger children.
  • On the Cascais-Estoril coast, international schools attract many expat families.

Children's healthcare

The Portuguese mixed system is a good surprise: a decent public service (SNS) and an excellent private sector, fast and affordable with cheap health insurance.

Good to know

  • Get the utente number quickly (via the NIF) to register the family at the local centro de saúde.
  • Affordable local private insurance opens the big private groups (CUF, Luz) and their paediatric ERs.
  • Private paediatric appointments come within days.
  • 112 for life-threatening emergencies; the SNS 24 line advises for the rest.

French-speaking community

The French wave in Lisbon is recent but massive. Between Campo de Ourique, Estrela and the Cascais coast, you hear French in every public garden.

Good to know

  • Lisbonne Accueil (FIAFE network) has welcomed newcomers since 1984.
  • Campo de Ourique and Estrela are the central family neighbourhoods; Cascais and Estoril, the ocean choice.
  • Facebook groups of French residents in Lisbon have become huge tip databases.
  • UFE Lisbonne and Français du monde complete the associative network.

Family outings and events

With the ocean twenty minutes away and a mild climate all year, Lisbon is one big playground: beaches, miradouros, yellow trams and pastéis de nata as a reward.

Good to know

  • The beaches of Cascais and Costa da Caparica are the flagship weekend outings.
  • The Oceanário, in Parque das Nações, is one of the most beautiful aquariums in Europe.
  • Monsanto and the Gulbenkian garden offer shade and playgrounds in the middle of the city.
  • Tram 28 and the miradouros turn a simple stroll into an adventure for kids.

These landmarks change fast: the MumExpat community will keep them up to date.

The arrival reflex

The apps to download when you land

Drop your bags, download these and you're set: the apps everyone in Lisbon uses to get around, get things delivered and organise daily life.

Getting around

  • Citymapper

    The journey planner Lisbon locals swear by: metro, trams, buses, ferries and trains in real time, sharper than Google Maps for public transport.

    App Store Google Play

  • navegante

    The official app for the navegante card, the whole region's transit pass: top up your subscription from your phone instead of queuing at the machines.

    App Store Google Play

  • Uber

    Uber works well in Lisbon and stays affordable: handy for airport runs and nights out, cars usually turn up within a few minutes.

    App Store Google Play

  • Bolt

    Uber's big rival here, often a little cheaper; locals compare both before booking, and the same app unlocks Bolt's scooters too.

    App Store Google Play

  • Gira

    Lisbon's bike-share scheme, mostly electric: the official EMEL app finds stations and unlocks the bikes, lovely along the Tagus riverside paths.

    App Store Google Play

Food delivery

  • Uber Eats

    The widest choice of restaurant delivery in Lisbon, from neighbourhood tascas to the big chains; promotions come around often.

    App Store Google Play

  • Glovo

    The other must-have delivery app: meals, plus emergency groceries, pharmacy runs and almost anything else; worth comparing fees with Uber Eats.

    App Store Google Play

Groceries

  • Continente

    Portugal's biggest supermarket delivers to your door through this app: reliable slots, and do get the Cartão Continente, the loyalty card everyone carries.

    App Store Google Play

  • O Meu Pingo Doce

    The app for the corner supermarket par excellence: Poupa Mais card, coupons and your store's offers, handy given there is a Pingo Doce on almost every block.

    App Store Google Play

  • Lidl Plus

    Lidl's loyalty card as an app: weekly coupons and discounts at the till, real savings on the family grocery budget.

    App Store Google Play

Everyday life

  • MB Way

    Portugal's default way to pay: instant transfers between friends, online purchases, cardless cash withdrawals; set it up as soon as your Portuguese bank account opens.

    App Store Google Play

  • TheFork

    The go-to for booking restaurants in Lisbon: live availability, reliable reviews and often generous discounts at genuinely good tables.

    App Store Google Play

  • Too Good To Go

    The anti-waste app, very active in Lisbon: surprise bags from neighbourhood pastelarias, bakeries and supermarkets at a small price, perfect for snack time.

    App Store Google Play

Coming soon: the full Lisbon guide.

Verified addresses, paediatricians recommended by mums, a family agenda updated every week. Join the waitlist to discover the Lisbon page first.

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