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.
A 26-year-old Italian national has been arrested on Tuesday while traveling on a Ryanair flight at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto after shouting that he had a bomb on the plane. The plane had taken off from Bergamo, Italy, and the passengers were held inside the aircraft for 30 minutes after landing, during explosive and bomb search time. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about this arrest following bomb threats.
Swedish pensioners will have one less reason to come and retire in Portugal. Indeed, after long months of negotiations and contradictory statements by both parties, Sweden and Portugal have signed a new tax treaty that particularly affects beneficiaries of NHR status, non-habitual resident. Sweden will regain the right to tax the private pensions of Swedish pensioners living in Portugal, following the signing of a protocol to the tax treaty aimed at eliminating double taxation by both countries. This new agreement simply signifies the death sentence of the tax exemption enjoyed by Swedish retirees in Portugal. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the end of NHR status for Swedish retirees.
According to a study by the European Federation of Transport and the Environment, Lisbon was the city with the largest number of cruise ships in 2017 and is the sixth most polluted port city in Europe. Mass tourism is affecting Lisbon and the expansion of its cruise ship capacity is reflected in pollution levels, including sulfur dioxide emissions. In total, Europe's 200 cruise ships pollute more than all European cars. What is the ranking of the most polluted cities in Europe? What does Lisbon intend to do to counter the trend? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about this news that falls for Lisbon freshly elected "Green Capital of Europe".
Here is the list of speed radar controls in Portugal for the month of June 2019. Maybe you didn’t know but when you live in Portugal you can know in advance where will be proceed speed controls. LisBob reminds you that this list is not exhaustive and that the Portuguese police can obviously proceed to surprise controls on any road. In addition, even without speed control, do not exceed the limits indicated on the road ! Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, shares the list of speed control with radar on the roads of Portugal for the month of June 2019. Let’s go !
Making the decision to live in Portugal is the result of many factors, personal and professional, but also the result of a long process paved with questions and doubts. Moving to Portugal does not happen overnight, and the preparations and procedures are numerous but necessary. Whether you have already made the decision to live in Portugal in retirement, to work there, without speaking Portuguese or to buy a house, the information to prepare your expatriation must be precise and clear. Each project and each adventure is unique and it would be difficult to tell you exactly how your expatriation will be. Our ultimate advice is to prepare well because it is the key to a successful expatriation. Where to live in Portugal ? How to live in Portugal with 1000 euros ? How to live in Portugal ? Is it possible to go to work in Portugal without speaking Portuguese ? How is renting or rent prices, and how to buy a house in Portugal? For all these questions LisBob, the expats assistant, tells you everything you need to know to live in Portugal in 2020.
Portugal's tax and customs authority (TA) has been ordered to return part of the ISV, the import tax on vehicles, to a taxpayer who had imported a car from Germany. According to the court's decision, the calculation of the tax does not take into account the depreciation of the vehicle and is therefore discriminatory and illegal. This highly criticized tax can sometimes reach crazy sums, much higher than the amount of the vehicle. In addition, Brussels has already fined Portugal for this tax which does not meet the European criteria for free movement of goods and people. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this court decision that may mark the end of the ISV tax in its current form.
Lisbon is often one of the most romantic destinations in Europe and couples and lovers do not hesitate to visit the capital of Portugal. And for good reason, with its colorful buildings, its steep streets, its intimate restaurants and its spectacular views, impossible not to fall in love with the Portuguese capital. Often cited as one of the most romantic cities in Europe, Lisbon attracts many couples who want to spend a weekend or more in the white city. As the time spent with two is precious, it is important not to lose it in queues for visits or activities that are not necessarily made for romantic souls. Fado concert, tasting, sunset cruise, sumptuous palace visits, many visits and romantic activities to do with friends in the Portuguese capital. What are the most romantic tours of Lisbon ? What to do between lovers when visiting the Portuguese capital? Lisbob, your assistant in Portugal, offers tours and romantic activities Lisbon and surroundings, amid course fado.
Portugal is known for its variety of activities. Indeed, these large wildernesses allow nature lovers to indulge in different hobbies. Fishing is a part of it and it is important to know your insurance obligations. As in other European countries, Portugal imposes a certain number of rules to be fulfilled in order to be able to engage in the practice of the fishing and drive a pleasure boat, that it is occasional for the leisure or professional. Every fisherman must be careful to be in good standing about insurance. Some fishermen are legally required to take out insurance to be able to fish. What compulsory insurance to subscribe to be able to fish ? What are the covers offered ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the different types of insurance for fishermen to fish safely.
It's time to prepare your agenda and plan your next holidays. At the beginning of the new year, you can now find out what are the mandatory public and national holidays in Portugal in 2020. The Portuguese legislation is very clear about national and public holidays and information on this subject is included in the Labor Code, more specifically in Article 234. It lists the days that are officially considered as mandatory national and public holidays and therefore must be respected as days of rest each year. You will have the possibility of planning long week-ends, extended holidays or simply public holidays. Lisbob will guide you through the 2020 calendar and you will find out what it has for you in terms of mandatory public and national holidays. What are the national and public holidays in Portugal in 2020 ? When can I plan my holidays ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal tells you everything about the calendar of public and national holidays in 2020 in Portugal.
Here is the list of speed radar controls in Portugal for the month of May 2019. Maybe you didn’t know but when you live in Portugal you can know in advance where will be proceed speed controls. LisBob reminds you that this list is not exhaustive and that the Portuguese police can obviously proceed to surprise controls on any road. In addition, even without speed control, do not exceed the limits indicated on the road ! Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, shares the list of speed control with radar on the roads of Portugal for the month of May 2019. Let’s go !
To visit Lisbon is also to take advantage of the many activities that the capital of Portugal proposes, like to listen to fado for example, the typical music of Portugal. Whether you are an expatriate or tourist there are some activities not to be missed: a list of essential things to do in Lisbon and Portugal. The visits and activities in Lisbon are now original and different, and the choice is not lacking. Among all these activities to do when visiting Lisbon, Lisbob has chosen to talk about a more than traditional activity: attend a concert and listen to Fado. In fact, restaurants and Fado concert halls have always been present in Lisbon, but the practical information is sometimes not clear. Where to listen to Fado in Lisbon? How to book and attend a Fado concert? What is the price of a fado concert in Lisbon? Lisbob has gathered for you everything you need to know about fado concerts so that your stay in Lisbon is as good as possible.
The city of Lisbon wants to pay a tax of one euro to each taxi driver going to the airport Humberto Delgado to improve access to the latter but also the portfolio of the City Council, says the Jornal Economico in his printed edition. According to the Portuguese daily, the issue is being discussed in the negotiations on the new passenger car access regulation at Lisbon airport. The objective according to the City Council is to ensure the sustainability of the management of taxi places in the Portuguese capital. The president of the Lisbon taxi trade union, Antral, says that "the Lisbon City Council already receives 600,000 euros a year to manage areas dedicated to Lisbon taxis". This new tax would obviously be passed on to customers who would take a taxi from or to Lisbon airport. Where are the discussions? Why introduce this new tax of one euro? Lisbob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this new tax of one euro.
The National Institute of Statistics of Portugal INE has published the official and definitive figures of the Portuguese real estate market for 2018. More and more real estate are sold and for higher and higher values. Lisbon continues to shine in the real estate market, but last year, the palm of the region with the fastest growth was the Alentejo. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), prices have risen for the last 5 consecutive years, but they are starting to show signs of slowing down. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, gathered the ten official and definitive figures of the Portuguese real estate market in 2018.
Portugal has introduced a new law on the right to housing and has introduced a new type of lease: the life contract. Indeed this new law of the right to sustainable housing makes it possible to conclude contracts of housing for life between owners and tenants. In practice, the real right to sustainable housing functions as a tenancy agreement that lasts until the tenant dies. But this implies compliance with other obligations that the "conventional" lease does not provide. This new type of lease for life allows for some stability but also entails new obligations on the part of the tenant and the owner. What are the terms of the lease for life? How does the lease with life lease in Portugal work? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the lease for life.
Portugal is known for visiting many species such as dolphins, but it is also sometimes sharks that come to discover the Portuguese coastline. Indeed, a large basking shark, the 2nd largest species in the world, was seen this Saturday in Sesimbra, during a boat trip from the Dive Club Cipreia, more exactly on their return to the marina. This rare moment of extreme beauty has been captured in video. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this meeting with the second largest fish in the world, the basking shark.
Here is the list of speed radar controls in Portugal for the month of March 2019. Maybe you didn’t know but when you live in Portugal you can know in advance where will be proceed speed controls. LisBob reminds you that this list is not exhaustive and that the Portuguese police can obviously proceed to surprise controls on any road. In addition, even without speed control, do not exceed the limits indicated on the road ! Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, shares the list of speed control with radar on the roads of Portugal for the month of March 2019. Let’s go !
Novo Banco is the "new bank", named after the bankruptcy of the BES, Banco Espirito Santo a few years ago and continues to plague the accounts of Portugal and Portuguese. Indeed BES no longer exists since 2014 but its "new bank" comes losses of 1.4 billion euros and calls for resolution fund under the equity mechanism. More than half of this amount results from losses recorded in problematic assets inherited from the BES, and more than 350 million euros are due to regulatory requirements. But when Novo Banco loses money, all Portuguese taxpayers have to pay. Indeed the Resolution Fund is a fund powered by public money. In total, each Portuguese taxpayer will contribute € 140 to save the Novo Banco again. How will Portugal's finances be impacted? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this new loss of Novo Banco.
Damaged cars, burned garbage cans and a team of PSP attacked with Molotov cocktails that replicate with rubber bullets : it is the night just passed Portugal, reputed yet quiet. The Portuguese police do not link these disorders to the events that took place last week in Seixal and created controversy. Nor does it relate to the unrest that took place at Avenida da Liberdade in central Lisbon on Monday. While the movement of the Yellow Vests does not really take in Portugal, the suburbs seem to wake up after the muscled arrest of a woman in Seixal, Bairro da Jamaica. Without talking about riots, the police molotov attacks are quite rare in a country that is known to be rather peaceful and calm. Lisbob, expats assistant in Portugal, tells you more about the troubles that are currently taking place in some Portuguese cities.
Portugal has signed today the confirmation of the construction of the Lisbon - Montijo airport and its opening is scheduled for 2022. The company ANA, which manages the Portuguese airports, has signed an agreement for an amount of 1 , 15 billion euros until 2028. The agreement signed this Tuesday on the extension of the airport capacity of Lisbon, divides the opinion and took time to decide. What will the new airport of Lisbon - Montijo look like ? When will he open ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about the confirmation of the new Lisbon - Montijo airport with an opening scheduled for 2022.
In order to improve communication with authorities and emergency medical services, Safe Communities Portugal has developed an emergency identification card for tourists and foreign residents in Portugal, but it can also be used by every Portuguese citizen. While awaiting the Cartão de Cidadão for expats, this emergency identification card does not replace an official identification document, but it is nevertheless a document that contains useful information for the emergency rescue teams, such as the medications the person is taking, the allergies they have or the important diseases. In addition, information on the authorities of the citizens' countries of origin as well as emergency contact appear on this free and useful map. What is the new emergency identification card for expatriates and tourists in Portugal ? How to get it? LisBob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal tells you everything about this new map dedicated to expats or tourists.
