The Portuguese can be described as easy-going, welcoming and polite, known to be willing to go out of their way to help others. You and your children will enjoy experiencing this friendliness, attentiveness and other common cultural attributes when you host an au pair from Portugal.And, as people in Portugal respect authority and look to those above them for guidance and decision-making, you can be assured that your Portuguese au pair will likely appreciate clear guidelines from her host family to integrate into your way of life.

In Portugal, almost all children under the age of three are looked after by family or informal babysitters. Nurseries and child care centers are not common, which is typical of a country with a lot of financial support for stay-at-home mothers. In general, your Portuguese au pair will have a lot of babysitting experience from looking after her siblings, cousins and other relatives.

With over 30 years of experience worldwide, EurAupair has successfully connected many host families with their ideal au pairs. We’re excited to give you experience with one of our Portuguese au pairs.

General Facts About Portugal

If you've spoken with other families who have had au pairs, they've probably said that the best thing about the experience was the cultural exchange between their family and the au pair. Your children will have the unique experience of learning an array of riveting facts about the nation, including the following:

• Over 10 million people currently live in Portugal.
• Nearly half a million of these people live in Lisbon, the nation’s capital.
• Portugal has a rich history. While the country became a kingdom in 1139, the city of Lisbon is older than Rome and is one of the oldest cities in Europe.
• Many languages are spoken in Portugal besides Portuguese, including English, Spanish and French.
• Au pairs are a fairly new concept in Portugal.
• The job market often opens for Portuguese au pairs after they come home.

Portuguese Family and Children

Family is the foundation of Portuguese social structure and forms the basis of stability. The extended family is quite close, and loyalty to the family comes before other social relationships. Young people stay with their parents until they get married or find a job that enables them to have their own place. Sometimes grandparents live in the same house as the rest of the family.

Children are very much appreciated; not only the parents but also the older siblings look very carefully after them. When the parents go out, they normally take their young children with them. That is why Portuguese children go to bed later than they do in countries like the USA.

Cultural Norms

In Portugal, punctuality is not seen as important. In fact, it is polite to arrive five minutes late, so punctuality might not be the au pair’s top priority.

Portugal is a generally conservative nation, particularly in the northern part of the country. You’ll likely find that your au pair is initially reserved and avoids displaying exuberant behavior. Handshakes are a common greeting upon an initial meeting, while women who are close friends often kiss each other on each cheek from right to left.

Driving Skills

In order to obtain your driver’s license in Portugal, one needs to pass a theoretical and driving exam, after a minimum of 32 hours of driving practice. People of at least 18 years of age will be allowed to drive. Of course, it is always recommended that you discuss your driving needs when interviewing au pairs.

Education

Similar to in the U.S., the Portuguese begin the school year in September and end in June.Education in Portugal is free and compulsory until the age of 18, when students complete the 12th grade.

English is an optional subject in elementary school, as of 5th grade all students need to study the English language. In average, the English level of our Portuguese au pairs can be described as good. They usually feel more comfortable with written English, at least at the beginning of the au pair program.

A large percentage of Portuguese women attend university, and those who don’t pursue higher education go directly into the workforce or pick up a trade. Many young women appreciate the educational opportunities granted to them by the au pair program.

Religion

Over 80 percent of the Portuguese population professes faith in Roman Catholicism. However, most young people don’t practice their faith regularly, and only about a third of the population regularly attends religious services.

Diet

Most Portuguese individuals eat meat — especially fish — and you’ll find that vegetarianism is rather uncommon. They traditionally prefer heavy dishes made from fish and seafood, beef, dairy, fruits and vegetables.

Find a Portuguese Au Pair Who Is Right for Your Family

When you're inviting someone to live in your home and care for your children, you want it to be a great fit. At EurAupair, we understand that you need to develop a bond with your au pair to have the best relationship you can.

If you're ready to begin looking for an au pair, search through our many profiles. There, you'll find their past experience and why they're interested in being an au pair. When you find women who you believe are a good fit for your family, you can contact them to see if it would be agreeable for both you and them.

See below our available au pairs' profiles & check out their videos!

Log in to your account or contact us today to view their full profiles and get in touch with them!