Do People Speak English in Portugal? What to Expect

Yes, in most of the places visitors go. Portugal ranks among the world’s best countries for English as a second language, and in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and Madeira you can get by in English almost everywhere. Away from the tourist trail, and with older people, it’s patchier, so a few words of Portuguese help.

Quick answer: yes, widely. Portugal ranked 6th of 123 countries in the EF English Proficiency Index 2025, in the top band, “very high proficiency”. Expect good English in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and Madeira, in hotels and tourist restaurants, and from younger people. It’s less common in the rural interior, among older people and in public offices. Don’t open in Spanish: say bom dia, then ask in English.

What the data says

• EF English Proficiency Index 2025: Portugal placed 6th of 123 countries and regions, with a score of 612 against a global average of 488.
• Reading versus speaking: in the same 2025 index, Portugal scored 632 for reading but 502 for speaking. Many people understand more English than they feel confident saying.
• Eurostat Adult Education Survey 2022: 30.1% of Portuguese adults aged 25 to 64 said they knew no foreign language, against an EU average of 25.3%. English was the best-known foreign language in Portugal.
• The age gap: in that 2022 survey, only 13.5% of 18 to 24 year olds in Portugal said they knew no foreign language, compared with 45.8% of 55 to 64 year olds.

EF’s index is based on people who chose to take its online test, and the Eurostat figures are self-reported. Together, they point to strong English among younger adults and much less among older generations.

Where English is widely spoken

• Lisbon and Porto: in central hotels, restaurants, museums and shops, staff are used to switching to English. In EF’s 2025 city scores, Porto scored 618 and Lisbon 612.
• The Algarve: with so many visitors from the UK and northern Europe, staff in resorts, restaurants and shops are well used to English.
• Madeira: English is widely used in Funchal and the main tourist areas. Madeira scored 620 in EF’s 2025 regional figures.
• Hotels and tours: reception staff and guides almost always speak English, and many tourist restaurants have English menus.
• Younger people: students and people in their twenties and thirties are usually comfortable in English and happy to help.

Where it’s less common

• The rural interior: in villages in Trás-os-Montes, the Beiras and the Alentejo, you may meet few people who speak much English. The Bragança district, in the north-east, had the lowest regional score in EF’s 2025 index, at 561.
• Older people: as the Eurostat figures show, many don’t speak a foreign language. A smile and a Portuguese greeting go a long way.
• Small cafés and local shops: the neighbourhood pastelaria or grocer may work entirely in Portuguese, even in Lisbon.
• Public services: town halls, post offices and health centres deal mainly in Portuguese, and forms are often in Portuguese only.

Why so many people speak English

• Subtitles, not dubbing: foreign films and TV series are shown in their original language with Portuguese subtitles, so people hear English on screen from childhood. A 2011 study for the European Commission lists Portugal among Europe’s subtitling countries, while Spain mainly dubs, and its survey suggested a link between subtitling and stronger language skills.
• School: English has been a compulsory subject from the third year of primary school since the 2015/16 school year.

Spanish or Portuguese?

Portuguese is its own language, not a version of Spanish. The two are related, so many Portuguese people can follow Spanish, but it’s best not to assume. Opening in Spanish can come across as careless, as if you hadn’t noticed which country you’re in. See Portugal vs Spain.

• Start in Portuguese: a bom dia or olá sets the right tone.
• Then ask in English: most people who work with visitors will switch happily.
• Spanish as a fallback: if English isn’t working and you speak Spanish, ask politely whether Spanish is all right.

Polite phrases to learn

You don’t need much. These cover most situations, and the Portuguese phrases guide has many more.

• Olá (oh-LAH): hello.
• Bom dia (bohm DEE-ah) / boa tarde (BOH-ah tard): good morning / good afternoon.
• Obrigado (oh-bree-GAH-doo) / obrigada (oh-bree-GAH-dah): thank you, said by men / by women.
• Por favor (poor fah-VOR): please.
• Desculpe (desh-KOOLP): sorry, or excuse me.
• Fala inglês? (FAH-lah eeng-GLAYSH): do you speak English?
• Não falo português (nowng FAH-loo poor-too-GAYSH): I don’t speak Portuguese.

Greet people when you walk into a shop or café, and use the polite o senhor or a senhora with older people. See Portugal etiquette.

Apps and tips

• Download Portuguese offline: save the Portuguese language pack in Google Translate before you travel, so it works without signal. Since 2024, Google Translate has also offered Portuguese (Portugal) as a separate option.
• Use the camera: point your translation app’s camera at menus and signs for an instant translation.
• QR-code menus: many restaurants have a QR code that opens the menu on your phone, often in English. A printed price list must still be available, though it may be in Portuguese only.
• Write it down: as many people read English better than they speak it, typing a question on your phone can be quicker than saying it.
• Stay connected: data keeps maps and translation working. See the best eSIMs for Portugal.

Pharmacies, police and train stations

• Pharmacies: in cities and resorts you’ll often find someone who can help in English. Elsewhere, show the box or the generic name of your medicine on your phone. See pharmacies in Portugal.
• Emergencies: call 112 for police, ambulance or fire. Say “English” at the start, then give your location slowly and clearly.
• Police: the PSP polices the cities and the GNR covers most rural areas. Lisbon and Porto have PSP tourism police stations (esquadras de turismo) that deal with visitors; check the current address before you go.
• Train stations: CP, the national rail operator, has an English version of its website, where you can buy tickets in advance. At a ticket office, show the destination, date and time written on your phone. See the Portugal train guide.

FAQ

Can you get by in Portugal with only English?

Yes, in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, Madeira and most places visitors go. In villages and with older people, a translation app and a few Portuguese words make life much easier.

Is English widely spoken in Lisbon?

Yes. In central Lisbon’s hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions, staff almost always speak English. Lisbon scored 612 in EF’s 2025 city scores, in the “very high” band.

Is it rude to speak Spanish in Portugal?

It isn’t rude, but opening in Spanish can seem careless, because Portuguese is a different language. Start with a Portuguese greeting, then ask in English.

Do older people in Portugal speak English?

Less often. In Eurostat’s 2022 survey, 45.8% of Portuguese 55 to 64 year olds said they knew no foreign language. Be patient, keep it simple and try a few words of Portuguese.

How does Portugal rank for English?

Very well. In the EF English Proficiency Index 2025, Portugal ranked 6th of 123 countries and regions, with the Netherlands in first place.

More: things to know before visiting Portugal, first time in Portugal and Portugal solo travel.

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