Losing sleep over crickets

Happy weekend from Nadadouro!

🕑️ Quick reminder: the clock jumped forward an hour this morning.

There’s nothing like a change of scenery to reset your internal clock a bit. At home, I often lose sleep thanks to the barking dogs on our street, but I never expected the world to lose sleep thanks to crickets! What am I talking about? Well, if you’ve been crediting Benjamin Franklin for our twice-per-year time change, I have news for you… you’re blaming the wrong guy. You see, it was a postman in New Zealand with a love of bugs who proposed a two-hour rollback of the clocks to allow him more hours of natural light to catch crickets after his shift ended. If only my love of listening to early morning bird chirping had that kind of influence (hint, you guys would all be getting up at 5 AM 😅 ).

Today’s newsletter is short and sweet. Here’s what you’ll find:

• Your questions answered on living the life of a Digital Nomad

• Your final chance to get your hands on the ultimate Spring BBQ/Braai deal

• Some inspiration for your next weekend away (hint: check my photo below)

Let’s dive in!

PS, if you haven’t yet, you know what to do ⬇️ 

📷 Pic of the week

This image was taken early this morning from the rooftop of our Airbnb in Nadadouro, overlooking the Óbidos Lagoon.

Óbidos Lagoon is Portugal’s largest coastal lagoon, known for its stunning natural beauty, calm waters, and diverse birdlife. Located near the medieval town of Óbidos, it’s a popular spot for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fresh seafood.

📰 What’s Happening In April

Music & Culture

• Lenny Kravitz Concert: April 8th at MEO Arena, Lisbon

• Pedro Sampaio Concerts: April 11th and 12th at Sagres Campo Pequeno, Lisbon

Food & Wine

• Óbidos Chocolate Festival: March 21 - April 6, Óbidos

• Tasquinhas: March 28 - April 6 in Rio Maior, showcasing local cuisine

• Queijo, Pão e Vinho: April 4 - 6, in São Gonçalo, Palmela

• Expobarrancos: April 11-13 in Barrancos, featuring smoked meats

• XIV Grande Mostra Vinhos de Portugal: April 11-13 in Albufeira, Algarve

• Avinho Wine Festival: April 11-13 in Azambuja, Ribatejo

• Festa do Vinho do Cartaxo: April 26 - May 1st, in Cartaxo

• Lisbon Fish and Flavours Festival: April 4 - 14 at Patio da Gale, Lisbon

Traditional & Cultural Events

• Alcoutim's Festival do Contrabando: April 4-6 in Alcoutim, Algarve

• Liberty Day: April 25th, a national holiday celebrated across Portugal

Sport

• Madeira Island Ultra Trail: April 26 - 27, Madeira

• Trail & Hiking Limited Edition Team - Adventrue and challenge at the Cheese, bread, and wine festival, April 5, Palmela

💹 Cost of Living Survey

Missed the Cost of Living Survey? There’s still time to have your say—fill it out by clicking the button below before we reveal the results!

💰 The Hustle Fund — Money, Taxes, and all things Financial

Everything You Need to Know About Portugal’s Visa Options for Digital Nomads

We first arrived in Portugal from South Africa in October 2021 on a D7 Visa. Back then, we qualified by proving a stable monthly income from our business in SA. Simple enough—until life happened. Not long after receiving our temporary residencies, that “fixed” income disappeared, and we suddenly found ourselves wondering, what the heck do we do now?

We also had another big question: Would our change in income affect our residency status?

Luckily, the D7 Visa is flexible. It allows you to explore other income sources—whether that’s starting a business, taking a job, freelancing, or working remotely as a Digital Nomad. My husband became an independent contractor, and I landed a remote job with a Slovenian company. Technically, I could classify myself as a Digital Nomad, hopping on a train to explore new towns—if only my husband’s work didn’t tie him to one location!

But here’s the catch: If you’re dreaming of working from a beach in Greece or hopping between Italy and Croatia while holding a Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa, think again. You cannot leave Portugal for more than six consecutive months without risking your residency status.

If you’re trying to wrap your head around the Digital Nomad lifestyle in Portugal, I found James’ article on Portugalist incredibly helpful. And if you want a clear breakdown of the visa options available for Digital Nomads, grab our free PDF download, created in collaboration with FRESH Portugal, below!

🌐 

🚀 Considering Portugal as your digital nomad base?

We've teamed up with FRESH Portugal to bring you a clear, no-nonsense overview of what you need to know about the Digital Nomad Visa, from eligibility and application steps to key considerations like healthcare and bureaucracy.

💡 This quick-start guide won’t answer every question, but it’ll give you a solid foundation to move forward with confidence.

📥 Download your copy below:

🗣 Lost in Lingo

With your Digital Nomad Visa approved, your Portugal adventure is about to begin! 🎉 But before you touch down, make sure you’re airport-ready with these essential Portuguese phrases. ✈️🗣️

…And That’s All Folks

Thanks for reading! 💌

Hustle on!

Angelique🧞‍♀️

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