Where Portugal Becomes Home
At Casa da Emília, we guide you through the adventure of starting a new life in Portugal. With the wisdom of locals and the care of a trusted friend, we help you explore, settle, and truly enjoy your new home.
How it works
The decision to move abroad is not lightly made, and the process can be overwhelming. Wherever you are in the journey, we want to erase your stress and offer peace of mind with assistance in learning about, getting settled in, and having fun around Portugal. We have been in your shoes, and are ready to meet you where you are!
Schedule Your Call
Every journey begins with a conversation. Let’s meet, get to know your story, and talk about what brought you to Portugal. Over a relaxed call, we’ll understand your needs and start sketching the path ahead.
Choose Your Package
Every family, every dream, every move is different. That’s why we’ve designed flexible packages to guide you at the right stage of your journey.
Begin the Journey
With your plan in hand, it’s time to start living the Portuguese way. From the first steps to the small details, Casa da Emília walks with you—sharing wisdom, opening doors, and helping you feel at home.
Here for you
The decision to move abroad is never taken lightly — it’s a leap filled with excitement, but also with uncertainty. The process can feel overwhelming, from choosing the right place to live, to navigating new systems, to building a life that truly feels like home.
At Casa da Emília, we’re here to walk alongside you at every step. Whether you’re just beginning to explore Portugal, already preparing your move, or settling into your new home, we offer the guidance, knowledge, and care to make the journey easier. We’ve been in your shoes, and we know both the challenges and the joys. Our goal is simple: to give you peace of mind, to help you feel grounded, and to make your transition not just smooth — but deeply rewarding.
Our Packages
Explore
Portugal is a relatively small country but with a diverse offering of towns, villages, and cities. We can help you prioritize a short list of potential places based on your needs. From there we plan customized visits to these locations to give you a sample of life in that town including:
- Dining
- Daily shopping
- Proximity to Services
- Entertainment
Learn
You’ve done it! You’ve decided where to settle, and your bags are packed! We are here to help you with the next steps of settling in to your new country:
- Navigating the housing market
- Researching schools
- Navigating health care
- Setting up utilities (electric, water, cell, internet, etc.)
- Buying a car
Enjoy
You’re home in a new country with so much to explore and do! Let’s have fun together with:
- History tours (including dark history offerings!)
- Day/Weekend getaway trips
- Private party planning and entertainment
- Portuguese cuisine lessons
- Gastro tours
- And More !
Who we are
We are a woman-owned business with 50/50 American and Portuguese ownership! Inspired by our experiences living abroad, we strive to help you avoid the struggles we have faced through the years while making new friends!
Emily Reid
Dr. Emily Reid, OTD, MA, OTR/L is a recovering overachiever who traded her daily hustle as a clinical occupational therapist in suburbia USA for the wild thrill of not knowing how to ask for cheese at the deli counter in Portugal.
Even so, Emily loves her Portuguese life! She lives happily near Leiria with her husband, kids, and their three dogs. Whether she’s bravely navigating her car through cobblestone streets designed before the invention of the automobile or mistaking soap for hand sanitizer (again), Emily approaches it all with curiosity, resilience and just the right amount of Portuguese fresh-made bread.
Paula Booth
Paula Booth is a true force of nature — full of energy, spirit, and determination. Born and raised in Portugal, she set off for Germany in 1990, where fate introduced her to the love of her life: an American in the U.S. Air Force. With him, she took flight to England where they spent several years and welcomed their two children.
Around the year 2005, Paula decided to return to her homeland, happily settling in Marinha Grande. Having once been alone in a foreign country, she knows better than anyone the challenges of starting over — the loneliness, the cultural barriers, and the vital importance of surrounding yourself with local people who can help.
Today, she gives back what she once received: the helping hand of someone who knows the way. At Casa da Emília, Paula is dedicated to supporting those who choose Portugal as their new home, making every transition smoother, more human, and truly authentic.
Contact Us
Every journey starts with a conversation. Whether you’re just beginning to dream about life in Portugal or you’re already packing your bags, we’d love to hear from you.
Tell us your story, ask your questions, and let’s discover together how Casa da Emília can guide you to feeling truly at home.