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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In a spectacular reversal of migration policy worthy of an April Fool's joke, Portugal has announced that it has found a successor to the famous 'Golden Visa' programme, which was deemed too banal and insufficient. Instead, the new Portuguese government is unveiling with fanfare and fireworks (ecological, of course) its brand new programme: the Supreme Platinum Visa. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'll tell you all about this new Portuguese programme.
In a sleight of hand worthy of a tax magician, Portugal's Socialist Party (PS) has launched what could be seen as a lifeline for future tax residents - but there's a catch! The regime for non-habitual residents (NHR), initially condemned to disappear in the State's draft budget for 2024, has been resurrected... but with conditions so strict that they deserve a standing ovation for their creativity. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'll tell you all about the 'extension' of non-habitual resident status in Portugal.
Real estate prices in Portugal continue to rise and Lisbon continues to grow, as does Porto. In the third quarter of last year, the average value of homes sold in Portugal increased by 7% compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching an average of 1,054 euros per square meter. Since the crisis that hit Portugal hard, real estate prices continue to break records and some even speak of speculative bubbles about to explode. According to figures published by the INE (Instituto Nacional de Estatística), some districts have seen an increase of almost 40%, but some areas have seen their prices drop, especially in Lisbon! What is the price of real estate in Portugal? What are the cheapest areas to buy a house? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, gives you this map of property prices in Lisbon and Porto.
Owners of pets in Portugal have certain duties that they must comply with. Basically, you have to register your pet, including a dog or cat. Whoever decide to come to live in Portugal with his pet will have to follow some steps and rules. Portugal imposes certain requirements on the owners of dogs and cats. These include registration and having a license, which you have to renew every year. Living in Portugal with animals require some mandatory processes and registration. How do you register your pet in Portugal ? How many dogs and cats can I own ? How can I get and renew the license for my dog or cat ? Lisbob, expats assistant in Portugal, will tell you everything you need to know about registering and licensing your pets.
The number of people who decided to live in Portugal increased by 6% in 2017 compared to 2016, totaling 421,711. Italian and French citizens show the strongest growth of last year and include the top 10 expat communities in Portugal, according to a report by the SEF. This Portuguese Immigration, Borders and Asylum (RIFA) Report for the year 2017, which Bob had access to, provides a clear picture of immigration to Portugal. Despite what one might think France and Italy are very far from being among the largest expatriate communities living in Portugal. What is the ranking of the 10 largest expatriate communities living in Portugal? What is the share of different countries in this top 10 ? Lisbob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the 10 largest expat communities in Portugal in 2017.
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.
The Union of Trade Unions of Lisbon, the USL, unveiled last Friday the latest figures concerning the remuneration of workers in the Portuguese capital. The average salary in the district of Lisbon is currently 1,171.9 euros monthly, but 17.7% of workers receive less than 600 euros and 29.2% earn between 600 and 900 euros. These figures, to which everyone can say what he wants, show in any case large wage inequalities in a capital whose cost of living has continued to explode in recent years, to become ultimately more expensive than other European capitals. Also, corporate bankruptcies have halved since the peak of 2015, but remain at a high level. What are the wage figures of the Lisbon workers? What is the wage trend in the Portuguese capital? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about these figures released by the USL.
You know Lisbob and his outspokenness: it is summer, and to relax the atmosphere Lisbob wanted to take stock of these famous infrastructure or renovation projects which have still not seen the day in Portugal, despite recurring announcements and sometimes even several inaugurations. Of course, this problem exists in other countries and Portugal is not the worst. Still, 30 years to decide to build an airport is a long time, and it is risky to decide on end dates when a project is "launched". In question, a mixture of disorganization, improvisation, corruption but also of crises of all kinds. Lisbob, the expats assistant, has prepared for you the top 5 projects that take a little time to come to fruition in Portugal. If we forgot one, please let us know in the comments.
If you have symptoms related to covid-19, you may be diagnosed. The Regional Health Authority of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo (ARSLVT), in compliance with the principles of equity, quality and proximity of healthcare provided to the population, has reorganized human and material healthcare resources primary health and created 35 zones dedicated to the diagnosis of coronavirus in the region. This Thursday, the map with the network of these areas was unveiled. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, offers you the complete list of coronavirus screening locations in the Greater Lisbon region.
The Portuguese newspaper Diario Das Noticias had access to the list of the most popular names in 2020 in Portugal and unveiled the latest trends. The attribution of the first name of newborns is taken very seriously in Portugal which is one of the strictest countries in Europe on this subject, with a list of around 1,000 authorized first names, which explains why the same first names are often used. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the ranking of the first names of Portuguese newborns in 2020.
Portugal and especially the Lisbon region is often considered as a new digital Eldorado. Some even compare it to the European Silicon Valley. There are many mobile apps for who lives in Portugal, but it's hard to separate the good from the chaff. City hall application, digital services, gastronomy, the list is long, and it is easy to get lost in the multitude of smartphone application available for expats. How to learn European Portuguese for free ? What are the essential applications when living in Portugal ? What services are available from his phone or tablet in Lisbon and Portugal ? Lisbob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, has prepared the list of the 8 best mobile applications you need to live in Lisbon and its region.
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.
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.
Certainly, covid-19 will have changed a lot of things, and this news will put some balm in the hearts of the Portuguese. While Lisbon airport is regularly cited among the least ranked in Europe and even in the world, ACI Europe has just awarded it the prize for the best airport in Europe in the category of airports which operate between 25 and 40 million passengers. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this new international recognition for Portuguese tourism.
With an increase in the number of cases, the Portuguese authorities have decided that Porto, Faro, Braga, Setubal and other Portuguese municipalities must step back into deconfinement and have the same rules that apply to the capital Lisbon. The measures include time and capacity restrictions for shops and restaurants. The big news of the week is now the obligation to present the vaccination passport or a negative test in order to be able to go to the hotel or to the restaurant! Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about this new measure.
As every week, the Portuguese health authorities announced the new measures. After the ban on entering or leaving the capital city on weekends, then the establishment of an exception for holders of vaccination passports, it is now the return of the curfew that has been announced. It will be in place from 11 p.m. in 45 municipalities that are at high and very high risk, including Faro, Lisbon, Braga and Porto. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about this new measure and the municipalities concerned.
As every year, the InterNations website unveils the results of its survey in order to find out the best destinations for expats. Portugal arrives this year in 5th place globally, while the country was still 3rd in 2020. Despite this decline in a pandemic year, Portugal remains the best country in Europe for expats, especially for quality of life , but the weak point of the country remains the work. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the ranking of the best countries for expats.
While Portugal has recorded its worst day in terms of coronavirus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic, a return to lockdown on the same model as that of April 2020 is more than likely and this from next Tuesday, like the confirmed the Minister of Economy Pedro Siza Vieira. Indeed the Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa was this Friday in a meeting with the different parties to discuss other measures to be applied, from the closure of non-food businesses and restaurants, to the opening of schools or the postponement of the elections. presidential. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the likely comeback of lockdown in Portugal.
