If you're thinking of moving to Portugal, obtaining a Tax Identification Number (NIF) is an essential step. Essential for a multitude of daily activities, from paying for groceries to buying a house, the NIF is your key to successful integration in this magnificent country. Contrary to popular belief, obtaining an NIF is quick and easy, even for non-EU/EFTA citizens, with the possibility of acquiring it online for less than €100 and in less than a week. In this comprehensive guide, I explain everything you need to know about obtaining your Portuguese NIF in 2024, online or in person, without hassle or excessive costs.
Expatriation to Portugal doesn't always go according to plan, and returning home is often part of the final chapter in a move abroad. Just as you had to take the necessary steps to settle in Portugal, there are various organisations to notify and documents to obtain before leaving the country. Taxes, social security, contracts: there are many formalities to complete before saying goodbye to Portugal. To help you make the return journey in the best possible conditions, I'm Lisbob, the expats’ assistant, and I'm here to tell you about the 11 things you need to do before leaving Portugal.
Obtaining your NIF, the Portuguese tax number, is the first and most important administrative step to take when you decide to move to Portugal. Essential for finding accommodation, working or opening a bank account, the NIF is your tax identification number, and it is advisable to apply for it before you arrive. There are many sites on the internet (including mine) where you can apply for your NIF remotely, each with their own prices, deadlines and special features, and it's not easy to find your way around. To help you make sense of it all and find the best site for applying for your NIF online, I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I've come up with my top 5 best sites for applying for a Portuguese NIF online.
Obtaining Chave Movel Digital (CMD) is an essential step for easy access to online public and private services in Portugal. Tax sites (Finanças), social security, civil registry: there are many sites where you can use the Chave Movel Digital. In this article, I'll guide you through the simple and secure process of activating your CMD, an essential tool for anyone living in Portugal. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'm going to show you how to activate and obtain the Chave Movel Digital in Portugal.
When deciding to move abroad, it is important to learn about the quality of the water. Find out if it is drinkable, hard and rich in lime, or soft. Portugal has a well-developed drinking water distribution and sanitation network, and water quality checks are carried out regularly. The percentage of drinking water in mainland Portugal is 98.66%, a value considered excellent. What is the quality of the water in Portugal? How hard is drinking water? Can you drink tap water in Portugal? Lisbob, the expat assistant, tells you all about the quality and hardness of drinking water in Portugal.
When you decide to move to Portugal, it is sometimes difficult to complete those administrative procedures that can become a vicious circle in which it is difficult to see the end. Obtaining a Portuguese social security number (NISS) is not easy and is one of the mandatory steps for any expatriate wishing to work in Portugal. Although the rules have been relaxed in recent years, applying for and obtaining a Portuguese social security number is still a complicated process. Obtaining a Portuguese national insurance number NISS for foreigners is not only a headache for people who want to work, but also for companies who want to hire them. What are the steps to follow to obtain a Portuguese social security number in Portugal if you are a foreigner? What is the process to obtain your Portuguese NISS number as an expatriate? I am Lisbob, the assistant for expats, and I tell you everything about the conditions to obtain the Portuguese social security number as foreigners.
Your took the decision to become an expat in Portugal, now is the time to think about what you will do your vehicle. Portugal is fiercely protecting its domestic market and heavily taxing vehicles coming from abroad, European countries being no exception. Although some may qualify for an exemption from the ISV tax, the rules are often unclear and changing so despite a certain attachment and sometimes a significant investment, many expatriates decide to sell their car in former country to buy another in Portugal. Here again the rules are sometimes vague, and we must be careful that the act of buying or selling a vehicle is done in the rules to be protected, whether a new car or a second-hand one. How to buy a car in Portugal ? What are the steps to sell your vehicle ? What to check for when buying a used car in Portugal ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal gives you all the details to buy and sell your car serenely.
When moving to a new country, it is unfortunately not uncommon to be a little too naive and trust everyone. It is said that after moving abroad, the word "pigeon" will be visible in the middle of your forehead. Whether it's in real estate, restaurants or other areas, Portugal, like other countries, has some well-honed scams that can cost you dearly. To help you avoid the pitfalls and not get caught out I am Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I reveal my top 8 scams in Portugal.
If you decide to live in Portugal, you may also decide to take (or re-take) your driver's license there. Less expensive and less complicated than in other countries, the Portuguese driving license is recognized throughout Europe. However, the language barrier can sometimes be an obstacle to taking the plunge and learning to drive. Indeed, even if the highway code is more or less the same as in other European countries, it is necessary to learn to drive like a Portuguese. The locals say "Who knows how to drive in Lisbon knows how to drive anywhere in the world". How much does a driver's license cost in Portugal? What are the steps to take to register for it? How do I pass the Portuguese driving test? How does the practical driving test work in Portugal? I am Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, and I tell you everything about how to pass the driving test in Portugal.
In Portugal, there are unfortunately many situations in which one may wish to report abusive behaviour. A landlord who has not issued an invoice or a contract, a trader who practices tax evasion... it is possible to denounce, anonymously if necessary, a person or a company that violates Portuguese law. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I tell you all about how to denounce a landlord and report or a trader to the Finanças?
