Wow Guide Portugal - Elise Slotte

03/03/2025

No, the Algarve is not dead in the winter😍💃🏼

02/03/2025

28/02/2025

Great service in the eastern Algarve.

27/02/2025

Are you planning to relocate to Portugal?
I can make the journey smoother! My calendar are filling up so book your guided scouting as soon as you know when you’re going to be here.

1. Finding the perfect location. Instead of wasting time exploring the whole country, you can focus on the correct areas from the beginning.
Portugal is a small but very diverse country. Climate, budget, nature, interests, personal needs, lifestyle, healthcare, travel…. There are so many factors to consider when you chose an area to settle down in. After my interview, I can give you clear information of which areas matching your needs.

2. Getting to know the every day life. I will tell you plenty of tips and tricks, how to avoid ”expat traps”, showing you where to find the best veggies and how you get the most value for your money in restaurants.
I’ll tell you about the nature, the culture and everything else you need to know about this lovely country.

3. Finding a long term rental or a property.
It’s not very easy to get an overview of the market and there are many ”back doors” to long term rentals. This month, I have helped 3 Americans to find long term rentals in different parts of Portugal🤩.

4. Introduction to companies who can help you through the VISA process and all kind of administration connected to relocation. Also health insurance and other professionals you might need.

Read more about my concept here:

https://wowguideportugal.com/moving-to-portugal-2/

Welcome to book your personal relocation guide!

26/02/2025

Going to the hospital?
In general, the public healthcare in Portugal has the same quality as the private options. The difference can be that it’s often faster to see a specialist in a private clinic but not always. Most staff at the private clinics speak English.
Here are som practical tips:

1. Go early! It can be tricky to find a parking and the reception will probably take some time.
In Portugal, no matter if it’s in a hospital or the grocery store, elderly, disabled, pregnant or families with small children has the right to go in front of the line or sit on the chairs in the waiting room. Be generous and if you don’t need the seat, please leave it free.

2. Many hospitals have a main reception but if you for example are going for an X-ray or Mammogram you don’t need to stand in line there. Go directly to Imagiologia and take a number.
If you are not sure, try to ask so you don’t waste time in the wrong line.

3. They will often call for you in a speaker system. With foreign names you need to listen carefully😊.

4. If you need to go to the Emergency with an Ambulance, they will always take you to the closest public hospital. When they have solved the most urgent care, you can ask them to get a transfer to a private hospital. You need to take care of the transportation yourself. Some of the private hospitals has their own ambulances and transfers so call them and ask.

5. Be friendly! All staff might not speak English and as long you don’t speak Portuguese it’s up to yourself to be humble, apologize that you don’t speak Portuguese and try your best to solve the situation. A smile goes a long way in Portugal! Use a translation app if needed. DeepL gives you in general a better translation compared to Google translate.
If possible translate from English to Portuguese. If you’re translating from Swedish for example, the result is mostly “rappakalja”😅.
Also remember that if you ask them if they speak English, the answer is probably no but often they DO speak a bit of English. They just don’t feel confident and that’s why they say no. Show respect and thank them for trying.

6. When you’re hospitalized, they will provide you with food and water from the tap. ALL public tap water in Portugal has good quality and is perfectly fine to drink!
If you want bottled water or a special diet that is not connected to a medical condition, you need to ask someone to bring that for you.

7. As everything else, it might take time to get the help you need but they will take good care of you. If you’re getting worse and need urgent help, just tell them. Don’t wait.

8. If you’re not sure of the process. Ask and ask again until you feel comfortable. If you don’t speak Portuguese, bring a friend who does if possible.

I have visited hospitals more than I have wished for since I moved here and in general I’m very satisfied with the doctors and the care. I have met a couple of people who might should have chosen another profession but hey, it’s the same everywhere in the world!
The healthcare in Portugal are much better than in Sweden and I’m so grateful to live in this country🙏

26/02/2025

Ok, it’s time to be serious. I am absolutely fed up with “opinions and misinformation” regarding what budget you need to move to Portugal. Stop destroying people’s dreams and stick to facts please! Here are some FACTS:

1. If you need a VISA, you need to be able to prove that you can support yourself. Talk to an EXPERT regarding how to do this and which amounts needed. Toranja Solutions is on option. There are also different VISA and different opportunities.

2. You can find a long term rental for under €600 per month. Yes, also in the Algarve! Lisbon tricky but not impossible.
No, you can’t get a house with sea view but a nice small apartment not far from the sea. If you have a low income you probably can’t get a house in premium location in your home country either…..
Finding a long term rental is not always easy. You need to know how and where to search and which doors to knock on. Professionals like myself can help.
A general salary in Portugal is less than €1000 and they can live here!

3. Many properties doesn’t have a good ventilation or heating system. That DOESN’T mean you need to live in a damp, cold rat nest! With a dehumidifier, dehumidifier boxes in the wardrobes, mobile radiator, a wood burner or other solutions you will have a nice, cosy home! Stop complaining and find solutions!

4. If you buy veggies, fruits, fish and meat at the local market or in the small stores instead of the supermarkets, you will have the best food for less money than almost any other country in Europe and half of the price compared to US! If you can eat good in your country, you can eat good here!
You can also get a big portion of food for lunch or dinner for under €10 if you go to the traditional restaurants away from the expat and tourist streets.
A really nice 3 course dinner with wine doesn’t have to cost more than €20.
Once again, you just need to know where to look! Ask locals, not only rich expats who don’t need to live from a low budget.
Giving knowledge about the every day life here is a big part of my relocation help concept.

5. Living in Portugal gives you plenty of “luxury” for free. True value as:
- Safety
- Free and high quality healthcare
- Depending on where you live, often the opportunity to pick fruit for free. For example figs and lemons.
- Stunning nature
- Very nice climate but you need to settle down in an area with a climate zone matching your wishes. See picture in comments.
- Friendly and helpful people.
- A lower pace without stress if you choose to understand and adapt to your new culture.

If you want to move to Portugal, you most likely can! And you don’t need to be rich!
Welcome to this lovely and beautiful country!☀️❤️
www.wowguideportugal.com

25/02/2025

Sweet Spot is a new cafe and bar in the center of Vila Real de Santo Antonio in the Algarve.
Amazing and beautiful cakes, good coffee and beer from local Senescal Brewery
Very cosy and specious place.
Highly recommended for a coffee with friends or a professional meeting. You can also order your birthday cake here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/q8tjnymwGv8Xkzab7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

20/02/2025

13/02/2025

With a group of 25 Norwegians in Sagres today. Beautiful weather☀️
When you visit Fortaleza de Sagres, don’t miss out on the interesting museum and the shop with many good books and artisan products.

09/02/2025

Passing by Aljezur and stopping for a lovely coffee and fantastic sweet potato chocolate brownie at ROOTS Aljezur.
This is a very small, quirky, organic vegan cafe located on the main street.
If you’re looking for very comfortable chairs, this is not the place but for everyone else…yes! Absolutely love this😍
Also serving lunch. Everything home made and fresh.

03/02/2025

Are you planning a trip to Portugal? This is my best advice! Portugal is a beautiful an friendly country with a slow pace. Give yourself time to breath, enjoy and relax. Wherever you go, there will be plenty of places to see, do and explore. Don’t loose your time at airports and transfers. Explore in between A and B.
Welcome☀️💕

31/01/2025

If you love cats and dogs❤️

Ever wondered what it's like to volunteer at a dog shelter in Portugal? In this video, I take you behind the scenes of my experience volunteering at Tinyshel...

14/01/2025

When I first moved to Portugal, I was nervous about driving here. Portuguese drivers have a bad reputation plus I hadn’t driven for years and never on the right hand side of the road. Even so, I was determined to get a car so that I could take road tripsRead More →

14/01/2025

Embrace life every day. Live now! Don’t wait.