Thinking about making Porto your new home? With its stunning river views, historic charm, and vibrant culture, Porto has a lot to offer. But don’t let the postcard images fool you—living in Porto has its own quirks, surprises, and challenges that newcomers should know. Before you pack your bags and head to this beautiful city, here are 9 things you absolutely need to know. I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, and I’m here to give you the real scoop on life in Porto!
When you think of the Algarve, images of sunny beaches, stunning cliffs, and endless blue skies probably come to mind. But there’s more to life here than the postcard views. For all its beauty, the Algarve has its own set of surprising downsides that can make living here a bit more complicated than you’d expect. Before making this dream destination your home, let’s dive into 9 surprising downsides of living in the Algarve. I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, and I’m here to help you see the full picture of life in southern Portugal!
Moving to Portugal is an exciting adventure, but it comes with some hidden costs that can catch expats by surprise. From property maintenance to social security contributions, these expenses can add up quickly if you're not prepared. Today, we're uncovering the top 9 hidden costs of living in Portugal to help you plan better and avoid any unpleasant financial surprises. Ready to get the inside scoop? I’m Lisbob, your trusty expat assistant, here to guide you through it all.
If you have financial interests in Portugal but live outside the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), you may be required to appoint a fiscal representative. This guide will explain why a fiscal representative is essential, who needs one, and how it can help you navigate the complexities of Portuguese tax laws. From ensuring compliance with tax regulations to assisting with the application process for a NIF (tax identification number), a fiscal representative can be a crucial partner for non-residents doing business or owning property in Portugal. Read on to find out if you need one and how it can benefit you.
Lisbon is a cosmopolitan and dynamic city, with many different neighbourhoods, each with its own atmosphere and lifestyle. If you're looking for a place to settle down, it's important to compare Lisbon's different neighbourhoods before deciding where to put down your boxes. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I've come up with my list of the best areas in Lisbon to move to, in no particular order.
Moving to Portugal is an exciting adventure, but it comes with some hidden costs that can catch expats by surprise. From property maintenance to social security contributions, these expenses can add up quickly if you're not prepared. Today, we're uncovering the top 9 hidden costs of living in Portugal to help you plan better and avoid any unpleasant financial surprises. Ready to get the inside scoop? I’m Lisbob, your trusty expat assistant, here to guide you through it all.
If you have financial interests in Portugal but live outside the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), you may be required to appoint a fiscal representative. This guide will explain why a fiscal representative is essential, who needs one, and how it can help you navigate the complexities of Portuguese tax laws. From ensuring compliance with tax regulations to assisting with the application process for a NIF (tax identification number), a fiscal representative can be a crucial partner for non-residents doing business or owning property in Portugal. Read on to find out if you need one and how it can benefit you.
The rules governing NHR tax status had been extensively modified by former Prime Minister Antonio Costa, and had become virtually impossible to obtain. The new Portuguese government has announced that it wants to reintroduce this famous non-habitual resident status, but not without a few changes. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'll tell you all about the return of the NHR status programme.
Moving into your new Portuguese home is even better when you have electricity and gas. There are several energy suppliers in Portugal, and it is now possible to sign up directly online. However, it's not easy to find your way around, and there are a number of pitfalls to avoid when signing up. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'm going to show you how to sign up for an energy supplier in Portugal online.
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.
The Portugal D8 Visa offers digital nomads, remote workers, and freelancers the opportunity to establish residency in this picturesque country. Available to non-EU residents, this visa provides a pathway to living in Portugal for a minimum of one year. As a digital nomad visa, the D8 allows you to immerse yourself in a country that caters to the needs of remote professionals. Portugal, known for its stunning coastal views and vibrant nomad community, is an ideal location for those looking to blend work with the exploration of new cultures.
Embrace the freedom of remote work that aligns with the lifestyle of a digital nomad. In Portugal, you can enhance your career while enjoying the flexibility to work from anywhere within its borders—from the historic streets of Lisbon to the sunny beaches of the Algarve. Join Portugal’s growing community of digital nomads and experience life in a country that supports your professional and adventurous lifestyle. This article will outline the specifics of the D8 visa, including application requirements and highlight top Portuguese destinations that cater to the needs of remote workers.
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.
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.
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.
Obtaining Chave Movel Digital (CMD) is an essential step for easy access to online public and private services in Portugal. Tax sites (Finanças), social security, civil registry: there are many sites where you can use the Chave Movel Digital. In this article, I'll guide you through the simple and secure process of activating your CMD, an essential tool for anyone living in Portugal. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'm going to show you how to activate and obtain the Chave Movel Digital in Portugal.
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.
Alentejo is a region in southern Portugal that has a lot to offer those who want to make it their home. With its breathtaking scenery, pleasant year-round climate, rich and diverse cultural life and attractive property prices, it's easy to see why many people choose to live in this region. But these are not the only reasons why the Alentejo is an ideal place to live. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'd like to share with you my 9 good reasons for moving to Alentejo.
When moving to a new country, it is unfortunately not uncommon to be a little too naive and trust everyone. It is said that after moving abroad, the word "pigeon" will be visible in the middle of your forehead. Whether it's in real estate, restaurants or other areas, Portugal, like other countries, has some well-honed scams that can cost you dearly. To help you avoid the pitfalls and not get caught out I am Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I reveal my top 8 scams in Portugal.
In Portugal, there are unfortunately many situations in which one may wish to report abusive behaviour. A landlord who has not issued an invoice or a contract, a trader who practices tax evasion... it is possible to denounce, anonymously if necessary, a person or a company that violates Portuguese law. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I tell you all about how to denounce a landlord and report or a trader to the Finanças?
When expatriating to a new country, a certain number of administrative steps must be taken in order to fully settle in and become an expatriate. This is even more true in Portugal where different authorities issue different important documents, and where it is sometimes difficult to do the administrative steps in the right order. Procedures to become a resident, tax identification number, pet registration, car registration, there are many mandatory steps for those who want to live in Portugal and it is not easy to know how to live in Portugal and be in order. Moving to Portugal entails a number of obligations towards the various state bodies and it is important to comply with these obligations in order to avoid any problems. Any self-respecting expatriate must take these administrative steps in order to settle down fully. What are the administrative formalities and steps to complete to live in Portugal? How can I make sure that I am compliant and that I follow the steps to register to live in Portugal? I’m Lisbob, the expats assistant, and I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about the administrative steps to take when you decide to live 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.
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.
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.
