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.
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.
Portugal is attracting more and more foreign pensioners who decide to live happy days away from their country of origin. Also, many Portuguese or Luso-descendants who return to their country to retire there. Although each decision has its own reasons, Portugal benefits from several assets that make the country a landmark destination for retirement. Cost of living, security, weather, each retiree will have his own reasons for having decided to retire in Portugal. In order to help you in your decision and remaining as objective as possible, we have listed for you the best reasons to live your retirement in Portugal. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the 10 good reasons to retire in Portugal.
If you want to work as a self-employed entrepreneur in Portugal, then the choice between the simplified accounting regime and the organized accounting regime will come up at a certain moment. This is one of the most important criteria to consider when deciding as a self-employed worker : the deduction of expenses and charges related to your self-employment activity like internet, computer, meals or even Uber ride. Indeed, the choice of accounting when you work as a freelancer in Portugal influences the tax base, in other words the amount of tax to be paid. What are the deductible expenses as a self-employed worker ? What are the charges to be deducted when working as freelancer in Portugal ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant tells you all about the deductible expenses for self-entrepreneurs in Portugal.
If you decide to live in Portugal and drive there you may be faced with a road accident. Whether you are a victim or a spectator, there are rules and procedures to follow in the event of a traffic accident in order to not aggravate the situation and especially to be in good position with your insurer. What to do in case of road accident in Portugal? What is the correct procedure for insurance? Bob, the Expats Personal Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal tells you everything.
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.
You have made the decision to live in Portugal and to embark on entrepreneurship, so this article is for you. Did you know that it is possible to open a business in one hour in Portugal? In recent years, portuguese administration has modernized and simplified the process of setting up a company in Portugal. He has also set up a "Empresa na hora" department (your company within an hour) so that entrepreneurs can save time. What are the stages of creating a company ? How to start your business in one hour in Portugal ? Lisbob, the Expatriate and Entrepreneur Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal tells you everything.
If you make the decision to live and work in Portugal as a freelancer, then you will have to fill out and issue Recibo Verde. This is the invoice that formalizes your service and the transfer of money between buyer and seller of goods or services. This allows Finanças to be aware of all activities and for you to know exactly what you sold. As a self-employed worker in Portugal it is possible to do it online but it is however very important to inform all the information in order to avoid huge fines. How to fill and a recibo verde ? What are the steps in order to issue an invoice in Portugal ? Lisbob, the Expats Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal, tells you everything about how to fill and issue a Recibo Verde in Portugal, step by step.
"Contribuente on the bill?" This question comes back eternally when one lives in Portugal and for those who do not know this subtlety of the Portuguese system are surprised and do not necessarily understand everything on this subject. Is it obligatory to communicate it? What is the risk if we do not give it? What can be earned by giving it? Lisbob answers you right away.
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.
If you are working in Portugal, then at some point you may need to be on sick leave. Not that the weather in Portugal is wetter than you thought (though), but that it's okay to get sick and sometimes essential to let your body or mind rest and heal. Whether you are an employee or a self-employed person, it is possible to take leave for medical reasons. It is important to know your rights as well as your duties with the Portuguese social security, especially when you do not master the language or the laws of your country of expatriation. In order to avoid unpleasant surprises, we have gathered the essentials of what you need to know in terms of sick leave and sick leave in Portugal. Who has the right to take sick leave? How much do you receive health benefits in Portugal? How to go on medical leave? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the sick leave and sick leave in 2020.
Portugal is a country for whom abortion was illegal until 1984. After some minor changes in the law, it was not until 2007, and after a national referendum, that the law was passed. included the possibility of interruption of pregnancy at the request of the Woman. What are the rights of women regarding abortion in Portugal? Where to go and how to practice? Bob, the Personal Assistant of those who live in Lisbon and Portugal tells you all about voluntary interruption of pregnancy in Portugal.
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.
You made the decision to come live and work as a freelancer in Portugal? As a self-entrepreneur there are certain obligations that you must respect in terms of insurance. The subject may seem nebulous when one does not know Portuguese language and legislation but it is important to know your obligations as a freelancer in Portugal. What are the compulsory insurance as a self-employed person in Portugal? Do I have to take a professional multi-risk for my auto-entrepreneur activity? Lisbob, the expats assistant in Portugal tells you everything.
In recent years in Portugal any commercial establishment or service provider must make a complaints book available to customers. It allows to settle and keep track of all disputes between customers and institutions. If you live in Portugal you will often see this small red poster at the entrance of these. However few people really know what it is. What are your rights as a consumer in Portugal ? What to do in case of commercial dispute ? What are the consequences ? Bob, the Expats Personal Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal, tells you everything.
