What Expats Should Know about Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal?

by Louise Wiles
(FInchal, Madeira, Portugal)

1. In which city are you living?

I live in Funchal, which is the main city on the small island of Madeira, Portugal.

2. What is the spoken language, and how much local language do you need to know for daily living?

The local language is Portuguese although because tourism is the main island industry and also because of strong links to the UK/Jersey/South Africa where many island people went to live several generations ago English is also spoken pretty fluently by many people.

I know enough portuguese to cope with most situations. However because people can speak such good English I have been pretty lazy in improving my Portuguese to my chagrin!

3. How is the weather?

Madeira is situated in the Atlantic, 1000 miles off the coast of mainland Portugal and 600 kms from Africa. It has a temperate climate which means that down at sea level i.e. Funchal the weather is normally reasonably warm.

Temperatures will vary from mid 30's(C)during the summer daytime to 13C to 14C in the winter at night. Rainfall varies and we have had extremely dry years and extremely wet ones. Atlantic storms happen a number of times each year bringing torrential rain and high winds. Otherwise the weather is very pleasant, the days often start clear but because this is a mountainous island, cloud builds during the afternoon and then clears again at night.

It is said that it is possible to experience the four seasons in one day at different points around the island, sun in Funchal, rain on the North coast, snow (very occasionally in the mountains) and warm but cooler weather in the middle of the island.

4. Is this a good city for families/singles/couples?

Good for families due to the pleasant climate and very friendly locals who love children.

Many expatriates retire to the island and so good for couples at that stage in life. I don't think I would recommend it for young couples or single people as it is a quiet island, this is not Ibiza! However for people who love nature, then madeira offers a huge range of activities both on land and off.

5. How are the preschool and daycares?

Lots of preschools as for most families both parents have to work for financial reasons. There is also a bilingual creche (Escola Internacional da Madeira) and also a British school which takes children from age 21/2.

6. Are their international schools/American Schools?

No American schools but two International schools. Escola Internacional da Madeira currently takes children up to age 10. The British School to age 15.

7. Any after school activities?

Yes - an enormous range of after school activities in many different locations - my children can't fit it all in!

Football, tennis, horse riding, sailing, swimming, ballet, music, languages, judo to name but a few.

8. Are there English speaking universities? Or any special programs in the English language at a local university?

There is a local University. I don't know whether they do specialised courses in English but I imagine so. There are also a lot of language schools offering English language courses.

9. How is the accommodation?

Accommodation is varied - apartments are easy to find, pleasant and often set in condominiums with pools. Houses for rent that are in good conditions are not so easy to find - everyone wants to sell.

Houses/Apartments to buy are easy to find - especially in this economic climate.

10. How is the healthcare?

Variable - I use a mixture of private and national health. My experience with the national health for emergencies has been good. However I think it is often a question of luck and I have heard some bad stories. It is also a question of 'who you know' as if you know who to talk to then suddenly facilities open up.


11. Is it a pet friendly city?

It is not unfriendly but people here seem to own pets but then not care for them particularly well.. Dogs roam the streets or are tied up in the back yards and gardens. Although you do see people taking their dogs for walks - they are in the minority.

12. Is household help easy to find?

Yes easy and generally very good.

13. How is the traffic and the public transportation (buses, trains, taxis)?

There is an excellent road system now which connects all parts of the island through a system of fast roads and tunnels. Traffic jams occur but are never like those found in European capitals. There is an excellent bus network all over the island and many tourists use these buses to tour the island. Taxis are good and not too expensive. There are no trains.

14. How is the communication - Cell/land phone, T.V/Cable/Satelite, Internet connection, international calls?

Very good - especially in Funchal where there are lots of wifi zones provided free - even in the municipal parks. TV/Cable is good and internet connection in homes generally fine.

15. What is the dress code to work and in public?

Generally quite smart, suits for work and people do like to look good if shopping etc in Funchal.

16. How is shopping for groceries, household items and clothing?

I think you can find pretty much everything you need here on the island, however it may take several attempts and require waiting a while. This is an island afterall!

Vegetables and fruits are either local or imported but generally there is not the huge variety you would get from UK supermarkets for example.

Clothing; there are most high street names and many designer stores as well.

17. Tell us about sport, entertainment, night life, restaurants

This is Portugal and so football plays a huge part in everyones lives. People support one of the two local teams Maritimo or Nacional and 'home games' are big events.

Culturally there is one theater which sometimes has good things, a very active orchestra and musical academy which attracts some good musicians every so often.

Night life - a number of night clubs.

Restaurants - As a tourist area there are a huge number of restaurants. Food is often local Madeiran food with perhaps an international twist, good and wholesome rather than flash. Having said that, one restaurant in the Cliff Bay Hotel has just been awarded a 1 Michelin Star and there are several other restaurants that offer very high class dining experiences - the Vine for example. Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Thai and Indian restaurants can all be found.

18. How is the expats community?

The expats tend to stick to their small groups. there is no one big expat group or club although attempts have been made to set these groups up. People tend to meet in nationality groups, the British retirees, the Germans etc. The British church is a focal point for many of the Brits on the island.

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19. Any other comments?

A lovely place to live if you are looking for a slower pace of life surrounded by natural beauty and an island environment.

It is important to remember that this is a small island. In order to get anywhere else in the world you have to first get off the island along with the associated costs involved.

I imagined I would make regular trips to Lisbon but ticket prices are never very low and so for a family of four such trips are not regular occurrences.

The information about expats life in FInchal, Madeira, Portugal were provided by Louise Wiles, a British expatriate coach living in Madeira.