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Culture & Tradition, Visits
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 good reasons to live in Porto

Moving to a new country is quite an adventure, and the choice of destination is an essential part of any project. In Portugal, three regions attract the majority of expatriates who move there. The capital Lisbon, the southern region of the Algarve, and the region of Porto. Porto is Portugal's second largest city and has its own identity as well as a history rich in centuries of invincibility, hence its nickname of the Invicta city. Choosing the city to move to is just as, if not more, important than choosing the country, and anyone looking to move to Portugal will need to include Porto on their list when making their decision. To help and motivate you, I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'd like to share with you my 9 good reasons for moving to Porto.

9 good reasons to live in Porto
Tips, Finance
Marc Martin - Portugal
How to get a Portuguese tax number NIF in ...

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.

How to get a Portuguese tax number NIF in person and online? Complete guide to obtaining a NIF in 2024
Culture & Tradition, Visits
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 good reasons to live in the Algarve, Portugal

Moving to a new country is quite a project, and the choice of destination is an essential part of any expatriation. The Algarve, Portugal's southernmost region, is a favorite among expats in search of sunshine and joie de vivre. Renowned for its beaches, culture, exceptional weather and people, the Algarve is a rich and varied region, and one that could well suit the future expat in you. Whether you're looking for a serene retirement or to become a digital nomad, the Algarve has nothing to envy other regions. To help and motivate you in your project, I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'm unveiling 9 good reasons to move to the Algarve in Portugal.

9 good reasons to live in the Algarve, Portugal
Tips, Finance
Marc Martin - Portugal
Top 5 websites for obtaining a Portuguese NIF ...

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.

Top 5 websites for obtaining a Portuguese NIF tax number online
Culture & Tradition, Visits
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 good reasons to live in Lisbon

For several years the Portuguese capital has been regularly nominated among the best cities to go to live there, and it is justified. Indeed, Lisbon has exceptional assets and does not have to be ashamed of other European capitals, whether in terms of heritage, infrastructure or quality of life. Choosing which city to expatriate to is just as or more important than choosing the country, and if Portugal is your favorite destination then Lisbon will have to be on your list when making the decision. In order to motivate you and help you prepare for this project, I am Lisbob, the expats’ assistant, and I reveal to you the 9 good reasons to live in Lisbon.

9 good reasons to live in Lisbon

Nature

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Quality, hardness and issues of tap water in Portugal

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Quality, hardness and issues of tap water 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.

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List of the best beaches for topless, naturism and nudism in Portugal and the rules to follow

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List of the best beaches for topless, naturism and nudism in Portugal and the rules to follow

In recent years, the number of supporters of topless or nudism has increased in Portugal. For a long time, the topless, nudism and naturism are no longer considered as marginal practices, and places favorable to total exposure to the sun have blossomed. However, we must be careful to respect the practices of nudism in Portugal, and especially not to go wrong place! There are 8 official places recognized by the authorities and others that are less so. What are the best beaches for topless and nudism in Portugal ? What are the rules and practices to respect for naturism on Portuguese beaches ? Lisbob, the assistant of expats in Portugal, tells you all about the best beaches to do topless or nudism on Portuguese sand.

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Three Algarve beaches with red flag after shark alert

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Three Algarve beaches with red flag after shark alert

Sharks sometimes come to have fun near the Portuguese coast, and that's what obviously happened this Sunday, August 2nd. three Algarve beaches have hoisted the red flag after a shark was spotted near Tavira. The beaches on which the red flag was raised were Terra Estreita, Barril and Ilha de Tavira. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the return of sharks to the Algarve.

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Complete list of all natural and organic stores in Lisbon

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Complete list of all natural and organic stores in Lisbon

Living in Portugal is often synonymous with good meals, but the question of the quality of food often comes back when one speaks of expatriation in Portugal. The country has a long tradition of agriculture and organic food is already well developed especially in Lisbon. Portuguese supermarkets are starting to have organic products on their display but some people are looking for real organic shops also specialized in natural products. Bob, the Expats Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal, has prepared for you a map with the complete list of all organic and natural stores in Lisbon.

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Top 9 of the best accessible & wheelchair-friendly beaches for disabled in Portugal

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Top 9 of the best accessible & wheelchair-friendly beaches for disabled in Portugal

In recent years, the number of beaches accessible to people with reduced mobility or wheelchair-friendly has increased in Portugal. Today there are a total of 188 beaches and bathing areas capable of accommodating a public with mobility difficulties, so that everyone can enjoy the beauty of Portuguese beaches. Some also have the necessary equipment so that people with reduced mobility can swim and practice other activities. What are the best beaches accessible to people with reduced mobility? Where are the seaside areas open to the disabled? LisBob, the expat assistant, has prepared a complete list of the best accessible & wheelchair-friendly beaches for disabled in Portugal.

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Thermometers will reach 37ºC in Portugal and "tropical nights" are planned

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Thermometers will reach 37ºC in Portugal and "tropical nights" are planned

The good weather has already arrived in Portugal and the temperatures are also rising. The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has just released its forecast bulletin: temperatures will reach in places up to 37ºC in broad daylight, and the nights will also be hot with values ​​above 20ºC. The IPMA announces that these nights will be "tropical" and recalls the measures to be taken in the event of high heat. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this heat wave and its tropical nights.

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Red alert for Lisbon and Leiria: 14-meter waves expected

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Red alert for Lisbon and Leiria: 14-meter waves expected

The IPMA (Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere) has issued a red alert bulletin for the districts of Lisbon te Leiria and the rest of the coastal districts will also be affected by an orange swell alert. Outdoor activities are strongly discouraged. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about this red weather alert in Portugal.

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Storm Barbara: all of Continental Portugal under orange weather alert, 130 km/h expected

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Storm Barbara: all of Continental Portugal under orange weather alert, 130 km/h expected

The IPMA (Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere) has issued an orange alert bulletin for the whole of mainland Portugal, due to the heavy rains and wind that will hit the country with the arrival of storm Barbara. The gusts will reach 130 km / h and encourage the authorities to call for caution. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about this orange weather alert in Portugal due to storm Barbara.

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Dolphins back in Lisbon

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Dolphins back in Lisbon

Lockdown also had positive effects. Thanks to the improvement of the Tagus waters as well as the reduction of noise pollution, dolphins have made a massive return to Lisbon Bay. Even if it is not an extremely rare event in itself, the frequency of the last visits (almost daily) as well as the number of dolphins goes out of the usual. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the return of these special visitors: dolphins in Lisbon.

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Top 5 beaches with the hottest waters in Portugal

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Top 5 beaches with the hottest waters in Portugal

When we dive for the first time in the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal, it is often a surprise that awaits us. In fact, the waters of Portugal's coasts are rather cold compared to those of the Mediterranean Sea. A period of mental and physical preparation is necessary to enjoy a swim in the waters of the beaches of Portugal. However, there are some places where the temperature of the water is warmer and warmer. Where are the beach with warm water in Portugal ? Lisbob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, in partnership with Mysexybackpack ,has gathered for you the top 5 beaches with warm waters so you can enjoy the Atlantic Ocean without freezing.


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Algarve on maximum alert for fire risk until Tuesday

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Algarve on maximum alert for fire risk until Tuesday

Fires are not uncommon in June in Portugal, and they can be extremely dangerous. We must remember those of Pedragão Grande 3 years ago who had claimed the lives of dozens of people. Today the IPMA (Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere) has put 4 municipalities of Algarve on maximum alert for fire risk, the highest level on the alert scale set up by the Portuguese authorities. The trend will worsen over the weekend with 7 Algarve municipalities on maximum fire alert, and the entire region at least at high risk. The Portuguese authorities call for the greatest caution. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this maximum fire risk alert.

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A "very aggressive" Nile crocodile sought in the waters of the Douro River

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A "very aggressive" Nile crocodile sought in the waters of the Douro River

It is not an April Fool: the Spanish authorities are looking for a specimen of crocodile that would weigh more than 250 kilos. The creature was spotted by three different people this weekend in the Pesquerela area, near Valladolid. Experts say it is a Nile crocodile, a species considered to be "very aggressive" and calls for maximum caution when encountering the animal. The search has mobilized more than 10 people and drones, but so far has yielded nothing. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the Nile crocodile in the Douro.

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Check out the maximum capacity of each beach of Portugal

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Check out the maximum capacity of each beach of Portugal

As part of its fight against the coronavirus epidemic, Portugal has decided to set up a limited number of people who can be on each beach at the same time. If some Portuguese beaches are very large and can accommodate thousands of people, others are smaller and more strongly implanted by the tides and have their capacity limited to less than 20. The Portugal Environment Agency (APA) comes to disclose the maximum capacity for each range. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you what will change on the Portuguese beaches is summer.

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8 districts of Portugal under weather alert for extreme warm and UV radiation

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8 districts of Portugal under weather alert for extreme warm and UV radiation

The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has just issued a heat alert for 8 districts in Portugal. The IPMA predicts "the persistence of high maximum temperature values", with temperatures that will reach 35 degrees this Tuesday inland, without falling below 20º overnight. This alert will be orange for Madeira, the second most serious in Portugal, and will be yellow for the rest of the districts under alert. Also, the whole of Portugal will be under UV alert, harmful to the skin. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about this hot weather alert in 8 districts.

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Concreting of the virgin beaches of Comporta will start in September

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Concreting of the virgin beaches of Comporta will start in September

Would Portugal make the same mistake as Spain? While the Portuguese beaches are renowned for their wild side and they have been (outside the Algarve) on the whole rather preserved by mass tourism, Portugal is about to sacrifice one of its most beautiful places along the Atlantic coast: Comporta beach. Located south of Troia, this long virgin beach of construction will indeed be transformed into a luxury hotel complex and works will start in September. The consortium formed by Vanguard Properties and Amorim Luxury will begin concreting one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal in September: you will have to take advantage of the beaches of Comporta this summer. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the concretion of the beaches of Comporta in Portugal.

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Portuguese beaches will have traffic lights at the entrance and an area of ​​10 square meters per person

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Portuguese beaches will have traffic lights at the entrance and an area of ​​10 square meters per person

It is not an April Fool: traffic lights will be installed at the entrance to Portuguese beaches to indicate the capacity to receive more bathers or not. PAN party deputy André Silva revealed this after leaving the meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa. It was also decided to allocate an area of ​​10 square meters per person. This solution aims to compensate for the lack of human resources in order to count the number of people on the beaches. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you what will change on the Portuguese beaches is summer.

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Opening June 1, 6 people per umbrella, 2 meters apart: this is what Portuguese beaches might look like this summer

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Opening June 1, 6 people per umbrella, 2 meters apart: this is what Portuguese beaches might look like this summer

Portugal ended the state of emergency to move to that of calamity, opening the door to a gradual resumption of authorized activities and places. Among those who are eagerly awaited, the Portuguese beaches are at the top of the list and it is quite normal as the Portuguese beaches are magnificent. The coronavirus epidemic requires a new adaptation and new rules to protect everyone while enjoying the beaches. The DGS has already recommended a distance of 2 meters between each person and swimmer. Even if the final decisions should be known by the weekend, some sources indicate that the Portuguese government would lean for a maximum of 6 people per umbrella, the installation of turnstiles at the entrance to the beaches and a limitation of gatherings to 10 people. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you what will change on the Portuguese beaches is summer.

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Sahara heat wave hits Portugal: + 37º expected this Sunday, police worried

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Sahara heat wave hits Portugal: + 37º expected this Sunday, police worried

The state of emergency ends in Portugal and a heat arrives at the same time. This Saturday is already a pleasant day from a temperature point of view, but Sunday will see peaks and perhaps break heat records in some places. The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) has indeed warned of the arrival of a heat wave from the Sahara Desert, bringing with it an increase in temperatures which will reach 37ºC in places. The Portuguese police, for their part, are concerned about the non-compliance with protective measures. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this heat wave from the Sahara.

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Earthquake of 5.3 on the Richter scale in Madeira

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Earthquake of 5.3 on the Richter scale in Madeira

The earth has trembled in Portugal! An earthquake of 5.3 on the Richter scale was recorded around 9 p.m. today in Madeira, and was felt throughout the region. According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Portuguese Atmosphere (IPMA), the earthquake occurred at 8:58 p.m. in the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Desertas Islands, having reached a magnitude of 5.3 on Richter scale. It is the largest earthquake in Madeira's memory in Madeira, but so far no injuries or major damage has been recorded. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this earthquake that affected Madeira.

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Success for the reintroduction of the Wild Lynx in Portugal: 2 new specimens released today

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Success for the reintroduction of the Wild Lynx in Portugal: 2 new specimens released today

The Iberian lynx is an endangered species, and Portugal and Spain decided a few years ago to create a program to protect and reintroduce specimens. The results are very positive, and the number of wild lynxes is increasing today with the reintroduction of 2 specimens. Indeed a couple of Iberian lynxes will be released today in the Guadiana valley, in the Alentejo, bringing to 109 the number of specimens of the species living in the wild in Portugal, when there were none only one (!) listed recently. The Portuguese Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) said it was the second release of lynxes into the wild since the start of the year. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about this successful reintroduction of the wild lynx in Portugal and Spain.