Health, Education, and Religious Services and Amenities
Shopping on the Algarve
Just as you would expect to find in the u.k. or european towns and cities, the market and resort towns of the Algarve offer a good selection of shops, restaurants, cafes and various suppliers of hardware etc. In addition, there are two main out of town large shopping complexes on the Algarve, the Guia Shopping Center near Albufeira, and the Forum Algarve near Faro City. Also, there is a selection of garden and DIY centres. More detailed information on both of these is given below.
Overall most of the clothing retailers are a little cheaper than the UK, with shops such as Zara and Massimo Dutti as the obvious examples. Food in the supermarket is a little cheaper, but if you shop for UK brand products then expect to pay quite a high price. The larger supermarkets stock the full range of household goods, and a selection of clothing. However, for fresh produce the local markets are much cheaper and excellent value.
Useful Algarve Shopping Information
Small businesses and shops within the resorts and towns normally open from 9:00am or 10:00am and stay open until around 7:00pm. However, most of them close for a lunch hour. The Portuguese do not take a siesta like the Spanish.
The prices of all products on sale must be displayed and you should always check that the price listed is the price that you pay.
All shops in the Algarve and Portugal are NOT obliged to exchange goods purchased unless they are defective.
The VAT rate for Portugal is currently 19% and is charged on most goods and services.
The Guia Shopping Center Albufeira - Algarve
The Guia Shopping and Entertainment Complex can be found on the N125 just outside Albufeira, it is a modern shopping centre with an excellent range of well known shops, a multiplex cinema and a range of cafes and restaurants on the top floor. You can enjoy your coffee on the sun terrace.
If you have kids aged over 2 years, there is a creche on the first floor, just behind the main restaurants. The creche is exceptionally well fitted out and the charges are only around €5.00 per hour.
The Algarve Guia also has a selection of pushchairs, pedal cars and various other toys available for free. There is no need to take your own pushchairs.
All the restaurants have baby chairs, and for the best parking head downstairs where your car will stay cool shaded from the hot summer sun.
Among the many shops you will find, Zara, Massimo Dutti, Paul and Bear and Benetton. There is also a large "Continental" supermarket.
The whole centre is open from 09:00 to midnight with the shops open between 10:00am and 10:00pm.
The Forum Algarve - Faro
This is another fantastic shopping centre, half in the open and half under cover. It has an excellent selection of recognisable shops, great parking facilities and a multiplex cinema.
All the shops are spread out over just two levels with a large "Jumbo" Hipermarket on the ground floor, and the food court on the upper level.
As with the Guia Shopping centre the Forum is very well geared up for the kids. They have pushchairs available for you to use for free, family toilets, baby changing facilities and high chairs in every restaurant and cafe.
Located on the outskirts of Faro City itself, The Forum is very easy to find, (head in the general direction of the airport and follow the signs into Faro), and the traffic is not bad either.
Among the huge selection of shops and restaurants on offer at the Algarve Forum, you will find, Zara, Stradivarius, Benetton, Levis, Oysho, Women´s Secret, FNAC and Imaginarium.
The shops are open every day between 09:00 and 23:00 and in the summer months and leading up to Christmas they are open until Midnight.
For further Information on the Forum Algarve call the customer service desk, (English Speaking) on: 00351 289 88 93 00.
Algarve Schools :-
Infant and Pre-School Care
The great majority of toddlers (90 percent of 0-3-year-olds) are cared for by their families or in informal care arrangements, rather than the regulated services described below.
Crèches (crèches colectivas)
The Ministry of Social Security and Labour (Ministério do Trabalho e Soliedaridade Social) is in charge of the regulation and funding of crèche facilities for children from birth to three years of age.
Centre-based crèches are staffed by educators (educadores) who have a four-year university or polytechnic training, as well as nurses and social workers, all of whom have tertiary-level professional qualifications.
In the crèches, group sizes are twelve in public centres or ten in private centres, with child-staff ratios of 12:2 or 10:2.
Childminders (crèches familiares)
The Lisbon area in particular has many childminders. A childminder takes care of children between the ages of three months and three years in their own home.
To qualify as a childminder, a carer (amas) must be aged between 21 and 54 and live in a house or flat that has a minimum amount of space for children to play and sleep when in their care. The minder will also have to spend some time in a residential crèche, where they will be observed when in charge of children. In addition, they need to declare that other members of their household are happy for them to welcome children to their residence.
Childminders may take care of a maximum of four children, or three if they have a child of their own who is younger than three years of age.
Kindergartens/Nursery Schools (Jardims de Infância)
Attending pre-school (Jardims de Infância) from ages three to five is optional. Such establishments are run by a wide variety of state organisations, charitable institutions, private and cooperative institutions. State-run nursery schools are free of charge, fees are payable for private schools.
The Ministry of Education (Ministério da Educação) defines the educational content for nursery schools and funds their operation, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour (Ministério do Trabalho e Soliedaridade Social, MTSS) provides support to low income families to enable children to attend kindergarten education through the provision of free meals and subsidies.
All kindergartens are inspected by the Ministry of Education, all must have an outside play area (recreio) and respect established safety levels.
Kindergartens are staffed by child educators (educadores de infância) with a four-year university or polytechnic training. The maximum size for a kindergarten class is 25, with child-staff ratio being in general 25:1 and in some cases 25:2.
Toddler Health
Mothers with newborn babies will be visited by a health visitor who will check that the mother is well and that the baby is healthy. After that toddlers are generally looked after by the family doctor, but will also attend a baby clinic for regular development checks of growth, weight, limb and head size, as well as routine immunisations.
A health booklet is issued by the clinic which charts and records the child's growth and developmental progress from birth to five years of age.
Vaccinations
Portugal has a national vaccination policy with the following calendar:
At birth: BCG (against tuberculosis) and VHB (against Hepatitis B)
At 2 months: DTP (against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough), VAP (against poliomyelitis), VHB (against Hepatitis B) and HiB (against Haemophilus influenza type B)
At 4 months: DTP (against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough), VAP (against poliomyelitis) and HiB (against Haemophilus influenza type B)
At 6 months: DTP (against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough), VAP (against poliomyelitis), VHB (against Hepatitis B) and HiB (against Haemophilus influenza type B)
At 15 months: VASPR (against measles, mumps and rubella)
Between 15 and 18 months: HiB (against Haemophilus influenza type B, booster)
At 18 months: DTP (against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, first booster)
Mother & Toddler Groups
Activities
All Portuguese towns have play areas for children in their public parks (in Lisbon in Monsanto and the Jardim da Estrela, for example). There are activity centres running workshops ranging from circus activities to pottery but these mostly cater for older children, rather than toddlers.
Compulsory education in Portugal lasts nine years, taking pupils from the age of six to fifteen. In state-run (public) schools this basic education is free. Financial assistance may be available for extra expenses such as school meals, transport and textbooks, depending on the family's circumstances.
The School Year
The school year runs from the middle of September to the end of June, for compulsory schooling, or to the middle of June for secondary schools. Individual schools set the actual dates but there must be at least 180 school days in each year.
Pre-school/Kindergarten (Jardims de Infância)
Pre-school attendance is optional and children may be accepted from the age of three. Pre-schools may be run by State organisations, charitable institutions, private or cooperative organisations.
Basic compulsory education
Basic compulsory education (ensino básico) is divided into three consecutive cycles:
A first cycle (1°Ciclo) lasting four years (for pupils aged six to ten)
A second cycle (2° Ciclo) lasting two years (for pupils from ten to twelve)
A third cycle (3° Ciclo) lasting three years (for pupils from twelve to fifteen)
The first cycle of education is provided by primary schools (escolas básicas), while the second and third cycles are provided by combined primary and secondary schools (escolas básicas/secundárias).
Entry requirements
Children who are six by 16 September are eligible to attend the first cycle of basic education. Those reaching this age by 31 December may also be admitted, but priority is given to older children when allocating places.
Enrollment
Pupils must attend an educational establishment in the area where they reside, or in the area in which the parents are employed, although exceptions can be made in certain cases. A number of documents are necessary to register a child in a school.
Registration papers (available from the school)
Health certificate
Three passport photos
Proof of identity
A leaving certificate (confirmation of the last level passed by the student)
Assessment
Pupils are assessed at the end of each school year, and at the end of each cycle. Those who are considered satisfactory will go on to the next stage. Pupils who do not meet the required standards may be asked to repeat all or part of the year.
Pupils who achieve the required standard in the general assessment at the end of the third cycle are awarded a certificate of basic education (diploma do ensino básico) by the school.
Secondary Education (Ensino Secundário)
After successfully completing their compulsory nine years of education children aged fourteen to fifteen may decide to continue secondary education, either as preparation for higher education or for more vocational/technical education. Secondary education is not free; students must pay for enrolment and tuition as well as for their textbooks and other materials, although financial assistance may be available.
Assessment
In post-compulsory schooling there are two type of assessment – internal and external. Internal assessment consists of a general written test in every subject at the end of the tenth and eleventh years and in some subjects at the end of the final year. Based on a general test plus continuous assessment the Class Council decides whether the student should advance to the next class or repeat the year. External assessment takes the form of final written examinations in the twelfth year in most of the subjects. In order to pass, students must achieve a pass mark in every one of their course subjects.
On successfully completing their secondary education students are awarded a certificate (diploma de estudos secundários) indicating the courses and the final marks obtained. Those who complete a technical course will also receive a level III vocational training certificate (diploma de qualificação profissional de nivel III).
Higher Education (Ensino superior)
The higher education system consists of public universities (universidades), polytechnics (escolas politécnicas), and a number of private or cooperative institutions of higher education.
Students who have successfully completed the three years of secondary education and have a secondary school diploma, or legally equivalent qualification, may apply. Depending on what type of higher educational establishment they apply to, students may also have to pass either a national examination organised by the Directorate-General of Higher Education(Direcção – Geral do Ensino Superior), or an entry examination set by the institution.
Graduate qualifications may be a bachelor degree (bacharelado), which requires three years of study, or licentiate (licenciatura) degree, needing four to six years.
Languages
The teaching of a foreign language (English, French or German) is compulsory in the second cycle of basic compulsory education. However, some pupils may begin learning a foreign language in the first cycle.
In the third cycle, pupils will take on a second foreign language (English, French, German or Spanish). This means that within their basic and secondary education students will have to study at least two foreign languages, and many learn a third.
Disabled and Special Needs Pupils
Disabled children have priority in attendance at state kindergartens. Primary and secondary schools that integrate disabled children (a maximum of two per class) must not have more than twenty pupils in their class.
If a regular state school is not sufficient to meet the needs of a pupil with disabilities, a special school may be recommended.
More information on schooling for disabled children is available from the Ministry of Education (Ministério da Educação), the Regional Offices of Education (Direcções Regionais de Educação), the Area Centres for Education (Centros de Área Educativa) and schools.
There are a number of International Schools throughout Portugal. They are well-attended, with a mixture of international and Portuguese pupils. Pupils may study on the International Baccalaureate (I.B.) programme, or for the British GCSE and GCE examination systems. Term dates and school holidays may differ from those of Portuguese schools.
For the British Embassy's list of International schools in Portugal: Click here
Algarve Social Life:- Algarvians, like all the people of Portugal are very family oriented. Social interaction is very important. In almost every town you will find a social centre, just as in the u.k. with a range of activities.
Religion ;- Algarvians are predominently catholic, but many other denominations are well catered for, here are some examples.
All Saints Anglican Church Almancil ¶ Evangelical Anglican Church with strong emphasis on biblical teaching. Sunday service at 10:30. Sunday school and creche, followed by coffee and fellowship at the centre. At Centro comunitario de Almancil, 8200 Loule.
Catholic Mass ¶ Services partly in English every Sunday 10:00 in the Chapel of Praia da Rocha, Fortaleza de Santa Catarina, 8500 Praia da Rocha.
International Catholic Community of Almancil ¶ Mass (partly in English) held at 11:00 at St. Lourenco church, Almancil. Also at 18:30 at Four Seasons Country Club, Quinta do Lago, Almancil.
International Evangelical Church of the Algarve ¶ Sunday services held at 10:30 in Vale Judeu. Also creche and Sunday school. Situated at EN125, Vilamoura, 8200 Albufeira.
St Luke's ¶ Anglican church in the grounds of Monte Palagueira retirement village. Services at 11:30 on Sundays. Located at Monte de Palagueira, Gorjoes, 8005-000 Santa Barbara de Nexe.
St. Andrew's Church Penina ¶ Roman Catholic mass in English every Saturday at 18:00. Contact Padre Manuel. At St Andrew's church in Penina, 8100 Loule.
Tavira Christian Centre ¶ Christian meetings in English held on Sundays 10:30. At Rua Almirante Candido Reis, 8800 Tavira.
Algarve household services :-
Gas :- There is no mains gas anywhere on the Algarve, all gas comes in bottled form and is available from stores, garages, and small shops. There is always somewhere open where you can get gas.
Water :- Many areas now have mains water, certainly in and around the towns. However, rural areas often rely on cisterna's. where a tanker calls as required and tops up the tank. Mains and cisterna water are suitable for drinking, but bottled water is very popular.
Electricity :- Everywhere but the really remote areas has a reliable electricity supply. 220v ac
Firewood :- Many properties still use logs (lenha) to fuel the fire, and there is always a friendly local supplier.
Transport :-
The Algarve has very good public transport systems. The rail line runs the length of the Algarve with lots of convenient stations. However not all stations are in the centre of town. The local bus services have rail pick up stops and will deliver you very closely to where you want to be. Trains and buses are modern clean and comfortable.
Car Rental at Faro Airport
Car hire at Faro Airport is a pretty big business with a whole host of companies offering an excellent range of vehicles at some excellent prices.
If you are staying for a short weekend break or any further west than say Portimao, you will find it cheaper to organise car hire than to take either a Faro Airport taxi or a private Faro Airport transfer.
Most of the main car rental companies at Faro Airport can be found in the busy arrivals hall. To find them just pick up your luggage from the collection area and follow the signs for the arrivals hall. Once in the arrivals hall you will find the main car hire desks lined up against the back wall.
Each of the companies run special offers at various times and each of them has slightly different policies on who they will lend cars to. For example Rentauto will not rent cars to anyone under 23 years old or anyone who has not held a full driving licence for at least one year.
We have always found driving in Portugal to be a fairly enjoyable experience, the roads are not particulary crowded on the Algarve, it is well sign posted and by collecting your own rental car at Faro Airport you have the freedom to get out and explore this wonderful coastline. Find out how much your car hire in Portugal is likely to cost by clicking here
Faro Flights
You can get flights to Faro from a large number of European Airports and if you are flying from the UK then there are around 22 different Airports offering regular, scheduled flights to Faro from the UK from 10 different UK based Airlines.
The flying times for all the flights is around 2 hours and 30 minutes and one of the great benefits of traveling between the UK and Portugal is that the time zones are the same throughout the year.
The Guia Shopping and Entertainment Complex can be found on the N125 just outside Albufeira, it is a modern shopping centre with an excellent range of well known shops, a multiplex cinema and a range of cafes and restaurants on the top floor. You can enjoy your coffee on the sun terrace. 
Car hire at Faro Airport is a pretty big business with a whole host of companies offering an excellent range of vehicles at some excellent prices.
You can get flights to Faro from a large number of European Airports and if you are flying from the UK then there are around 22 different Airports offering regular, scheduled flights to Faro from the UK from 10 different UK based Airlines.