21 May 2025
Hey, if you’re a Filipino living in Portugal, you’re probably no stranger to the juggling act of staying connected with family back home. But there’s a catch: the time zone difference between Portugal and the Philippines can throw a wrench into your daily life. Whether you’re an expat, immigrant, or international student, those hours apart can make everything from family calls to sending money feel like a puzzle. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the time zone challenges Filipinos face in Portugal and share practical solutions to keep you connected and stress-free. Let’s dive in!
Living in Portugal while keeping ties with the Philippines means dealing with a significant time zone gap. This isn’t just about setting your clock differently—it affects how you plan your day, from catching up with loved ones to managing finances. Let’s break down what makes this gap tricky and why it matters for Filipinos in Portugal.
Portugal operates on Western European Time (WET), which shifts to Western European Summer Time (WEST) during daylight saving. The Philippines, on the other hand, sticks to Philippine Time (PHT) year-round.
The standard time difference is 7 hours—when it’s noon in Lisbon, it’s 7 PM in Manila. During Portugal’s daylight saving period (March to October), this gap stretches to 8 hours. For example, if you’re planning a call at 6 PM in Portugal, it’s 1 AM the next day in the Philippines. This gap can make real-time communication a challenge, especially for those with tight schedules.
Portugal’s daylight saving time adds another layer of complexity. From the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, Portugal moves its clocks forward by an hour, widening the time gap with the Philippines. This shift can disrupt carefully planned schedules.
For instance, a weekly family call set for 8 PM in Portugal might suddenly be at 4 AM in Manila, catching loved ones off guard. Since the Philippines doesn’t use daylight saving, Filipinos in Portugal must stay on top of these changes to avoid confusion when scheduling calls, remittances, or virtual events with family back home.
The time zone gap doesn’t just mess with your calendar—it can tug at your heartstrings, too. For Filipinos in Portugal, staying connected with family and friends in the Philippines is a priority, but the hours apart can make it tough. Here’s how these challenges play out in everyday life.
Imagine wanting to join your niece’s birthday party in Manila, but it’s 3 AM in Lisbon when the celebration starts. The 7- or 8-hour time difference often forces Filipinos to miss out on key moments like holidays, anniversaries, or even casual catch-ups.
For example, an OFW in Porto might struggle to find a time that works for both their work schedule and their family’s availability. Lunchtime in Portugal (say, 1 PM) is already 8 PM or 9 PM in the Philippines, when kids might be asleep or parents are winding down. These mismatches can leave you feeling disconnected from the people who matter most.
Being out of sync with loved ones can take an emotional toll. Filipinos are known for close-knit family ties, and the inability to chat regularly can lead to feelings of isolation or homesickness. Delayed responses due to time differences—maybe your sister replies to your message 12 hours later—can strain relationships over time.
For international students or expats, this can feel especially heavy when you’re already adjusting to a new culture. The stress of coordinating across time zones might even make you question if you’re doing enough to stay connected, adding to the emotional weight of living abroad.
Don’t worry—there are ways to tackle these time zone hurdles and keep your connections strong. With a mix of smart tools, tech, and self-care, you can make the Portugal-Philippines time gap feel less daunting. Here are some practical tips to help you stay on top of it all.
Planning across time zones doesn’t have to be a headache. Apps like World Time Buddy or Time Zone Converter let you compare Portugal and Philippine time at a glance, so you can pick the best call times. Google Calendar is another gem—set up a shared calendar with your family and add both time zones to avoid mix-ups.
Try these strategies to make scheduling smoother:
Not every conversation needs to happen in real-time. For non-urgent chats, use asynchronous tools like WhatsApp, Viber, or email to send messages or voice notes that your family can reply to later. This takes the pressure off aligning schedules perfectly.
When it comes to supporting loved ones financially, ACE Money Transfer, rated 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot with over 129,000 reviews, makes it easy with its mobile app. You can send a money transfer from Portugal to Philippines anytime, day or night, without worrying about time zone barriers. The app’s real-time tracking lets you confirm your money arrives safely, giving you peace of mind no matter the hour.
Juggling time zones can be exhausting, so it’s crucial to protect your well-being. If you’re an OFW with a demanding job, talk to your employer about flexible hours to better align with Philippine time for family calls. For example, starting work later one day a week could let you catch your kids before they head to school.
Here’s how to stay balanced:
The time zone gap between Portugal and the Philippines can test your patience, from missing family celebrations to feeling out of sync with loved ones. But with the right tools and strategies, you can bridge this divide. Apps like World Time Buddy and Google Calendar make scheduling a breeze, while asynchronous communication and ACE Money Transfer’s anytime remittances keep you connected financially and emotionally. So, next time you’re planning a call or sending money home, use these tips to stay close to your family—no matter the time difference!
ACE Money Transfer eases remittance woes with convenient and quick money transfers!
Students may struggle to attend online classes or coordinate with Philippine universities due to the 7-8 hour gap, requiring flexible schedules or recorded lectures.
Yes, the inability to connect with family or friends in real-time can increase loneliness, but regular communication routines help mitigate this.
Ordering from Philippine stores may involve delayed customer service responses, requiring patience, or choosing Portugal-based alternatives.
Yes, live-streamed masses or events in PHT may occur at inconvenient Portugal hours, often requiring recordings.
Filipino expats in Portugal often plan, using leave to align with Philippine holiday schedules for virtual celebrations.
