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.
Exploring the serene landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and welcoming communities of Portugal is a dream for many. If you're from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, the Portugal D7 Visa, also known as the Passive Income Visa, offers an excellent pathway to enjoying life in this charming country. This detailed guide provides everything you need to know about securing your D7 Visa, from eligibility to benefits and beyond. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'm going to tell you how to secure your Portugal D7 Visa.
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.
The Portuguese government confirmed on Wednesday its intention to increase the national minimum wage by 30 euros, currently 635 euros gross monthly, in order to bring it to 665 euros. This increase is lower than that which took place in 2020 (+35 euros), but remains in line with Antonio Costa's goal of raising the minimum wage to 750 euros gross per month at the end of his mandate. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the increase in the Portuguese minimum wage.
In order to combat the coronavirus epidemic, the Portuguese authorities announced an extension of the state of emergency, which will be in effect between 00:00 on 9th and 11:59 p.m. on 23rd December, and which will surely be extended until at least January 7th. In addition, 113 Portuguese counties are now listed as areas with stricter rules. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the extension of the state of emergency and the rules of the 113 counties involved.
Portugal has just unveiled the approximate schedule and the different priority groups for the covid-19 vaccination campaign. The vaccine will begin to be administered in early January and in the worst-case scenario, it may take four months to vaccinate the first priority group, with nearly a million Portuguese. The logistics plan remains to be defined and will be a challenge for Portugal. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the priority groups and the dates of the vaccination phases in Portugal.
Porto is regularly cited for its quality of life and its international reputation is well established. The second largest city in Portugal has just stood out again by being classified as the best “small town” in the world to live there and according to the magazine Le Monocle. The city Invicta was 9th in 2019 and therefore shows good progress. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this new distinction for Porto.
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Cost has just unveiled the measures that will be in place during the holiday season to fight the coronavirus epidemic, and these are proving to be less stringent than in other European countries. These measures are framed by the state of emergency, which will be in effect between midnight on 9th and 11.59 p.m. on December 23rd, and which will surely be extended until at least January 7st. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the measures in place for Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Portugal.
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.
Lisbon is regularly cited for its quality of life and its international reputation is well established. The Portuguese capital has just stood out again by being ranked as the third best city in the world for expats and according to the “Expat City Ranking 2020” ranking which compared 66 cities from all over the world. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this new distinction for Lisbon.
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced on Saturday, November 21st new measures in the context of the state of emergency which has just been extended until at least December 8th. Among these measures, the ban on moving between municipalities during the two long weekends in December or the creation of 4 levels of risk with different measures and the obligation to wear a mask at work. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the new state of emergency measures in Portugal.
Portugal was about to start its first weekend of curfew and Porto was the scene of clashes between police officers and professionals in the restaurant, hotel and nightlife sectors, as the latter protested against the anti-covid measures put in place by the government. Throwing bottles at the police, setting fire to the coffin to symbolize their death, arrest: the clashes were not easy, a sign that anger is also brewing in Portugal. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about these clashes between police officers and restaurateurs in Porto against anti-covid measures.
In recent weeks, a real race for measures has been played out in Portugal in the face of the increase in coronavirus cases. After the announcement by the President of the Portuguese Republic of the return of the “preventive” state of emergency, Prime Minister Antonio Costa, for his part, detailed a toughening of the measures put in place and an expansion of the towns concerned by the curfew (11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from 1 p.m. on weekends). Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about Antonio Costa's new announcements.
Portugal entered its first night of curfew on Monday, November 9th, and a shooting took place in downtown Lisbon, on Avenida da Liberdade. This shooting reportedly involved 2 vehicles and no injuries or damage were recorded. Traffic came to a halt on Lisbon's largest avenue, enough time for inspectors to gather evidence in order to conduct the investigation. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about this shooting on Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon on the first night of curfew.
Here is the list of speed radar controls in Portugal for the month of November 2020. 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 November 2020. Let’s go !
The health crisis linked to the coronavirus epidemic has not spared Portugal, which is embarking on a second state of emergency. Nevertheless, the predicted disaster seems to have been avoided and Portugal is doing quite well compared to its neighbor Spain. As the lightened state of emergency returns and travel is limited, Portugal begins to prepare for 2021 and the revival of its economy. Even though the months ahead look tough, Portugal could do well in the long term and emerge stronger from the crisis. Of course, the article dwells on the potentially positive aspects and overlooks the immense challenges Portugal will face. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, gives you 6 reasons why Portugal might emerge stronger from the coronavirus crisis.
With the announcement by the President of the Portuguese Republic of the return of the “preventive” state of emergency, Prime Minister Antonio Costa for his part detailed this Saturday, November 7th the measures that will be in place in the 121 municipalities that are concerned, in order to combat the coronavirus epidemic. The implementation of a curfew in these areas has been confirmed, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from 1 p.m. on weekends. It will also be mandatory to be tested to access certain places. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the implementation of the curfew in Portugal.
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa had said he was considering making it mandatory to wear the mask outdoors, although its usefulness and effectiveness outdoors remains to be proven. The Portuguese Parliament is expected to vote in favor of this measure this Friday 23rd October. While critics have focused on the StayAway Covid tracking app, wearing masks outdoors has met with broad political consensus. This obligation will be for a minimum period of 3 months. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about wearing the compulsory mask outdoors in Portugal.
The Portuguese government of Antonio Costa announced this Thursday the ban on movement between each department (concelhos) between October 30th and November 3rd, in order to fight against the spread of the coronavirus epidemic which has already made more than 2,000 deaths since the onset of covid-19 in Portugal. This shock measure aims to avoid travel for the weekend of November 1, a public holiday in Portugal and an opportunity for families to get together. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the travel ban in Portugal.
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.
Faced with the increase in positive cases of coronavirus, Portugal has decided to go into a state of calamity. This state allows the implementation of measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus epidemic in Portugal, such as limiting the number of people who can meet to 5, or the obligation to wear the mask in certain places. The state of calamity will be in place from midnight tonight. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the establishment of the state of calamity in Portugal.
An incident occurred this Tuesday, September 29 on the blue line of the Lisbon metro in Portugal. In fact, part of the ceiling collapsed between São Sebastião and Praça de Espanha stations at around 2:23 pm The authorities recorded 4 injuries and the line will be closed for 2 days. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you about the ceiling collapse of the Lisbon metro.
Here is the list of speed radar controls in Portugal for the month of September 2020. 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 September 2020. Let’s go !
