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Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Things Expats Miss Most About Home After ...

Moving to Portugal is an incredible adventure, filled with new experiences, beautiful scenery, and a relaxed lifestyle. But even with all the perks, there are certain things expats often find themselves missing from home. From familiar foods to cultural traditions, here are 9 things expats commonly miss most after moving to Portugal. I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, here to help you navigate the highs and lows of expat life!

9 Things Expats Miss Most About Home After Moving to Portugal
Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Big Differences Between Northern and Southern ...

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!

9 Big Differences Between Northern and Southern Portugal
Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Times Portuguese Bureaucracy Will Surprise You

Portugal is a beautiful country with a laid-back lifestyle, but that relaxed vibe can sometimes put your patience to the test! From bureaucracy to daily quirks, life here has its challenges that can feel frustrating if you’re not prepared. Before making the move, here are 9 ways living in Portugal might test your patience—and how to handle them. I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, here to help you navigate the ups and downs of life in Portugal!

9 Times Portuguese Bureaucracy Will Surprise You
Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Reasons Why Porto Could Be Better than Lisbon

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!

9 Reasons Why Porto Could Be Better than Lisbon
Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Unexpected Costs When Moving to Lisbon

Moving to Lisbon is exciting, but the costs can quickly add up in ways you might not expect! Beyond rent and groceries, there are hidden expenses that catch many newcomers by surprise. From extra fees to lifestyle adjustments, here are 9 unexpected costs you’ll want to budget for when moving to Lisbon. I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, here to help you navigate the true costs of Lisbon life!

9 Unexpected Costs When Moving to Lisbon

Finance

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European Commission issues an ultimatum and orders Portugal to modify ISV tax on imported vehicles

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European Commission issues an ultimatum and orders Portugal to modify ISV tax on imported vehicles

Brussels decided to step up against Portugal in the conflict between them over the ISV tax on foreign vehicles imported into Portugal. Indeed, Brussels has notified Lisbon that it must amend its rules on the taxation of second-hand vehicles imported from other Member States of the European Union. Even more threatening, the European Commission has issued an ultimatum of one month in Portugal and force it to change its rules, or having to go to the European Court of Justice. This procedure against Lisbon started in 2016 because Brussels considers that imported vehicles are discriminated against vehicles sold on Portuguese territory. Is this the end of the ISV tax for imported vehicles ? What is the detail of the communication from the European Commission ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this ultimatum launched by Brussels on the ISV tax.

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Risk of poverty decreased but 17% of Portuguese lives with less than 501 net euros per month

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Risk of poverty decreased but 17% of Portuguese lives with less than 501 net euros per month

As each end of the year, the different Portuguese statistical institutes unveil their final analyzes of the previous year. INE, the Portuguese National Statistics Institute, has released its report on the Living and Income Survey in Portugal for the year 2018. The risk of poverty has decreased by a tenth last year, affecting 17.2% of the population. Despite the decline, the most little in four years, about 2.2 million people are at risk of poverty or social exclusion in Portugal. Also, the study reveals that nearly one in five Portuguese earns less than 501 euros. What are the figures of the INE survey on the Portuguese population? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the figures of poverty in the Portuguese population.

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Portuguese tax authorities realize of an error in 10,000 tax returns in 2015 and require a payment of 3.5 million euros.

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Portuguese tax authorities realize of an error in 10,000 tax returns in 2015 and require a payment of 3.5 million euros.

With almost 5 years of delay, the Portuguese tax and customs authorities (TA) identified an error in the processing of tax returns for 2015, which led to a recalculation of income tax of around 10,000 returns for one 3.5 million euros. The persons concerned are the taxpayers who started a commercial or professional activity in 2014, who were taxed in 2015 according to the simplified scheme and who, in 2015, also earned income category B, according to the information published in the portal. Finanças. This is bad news just before the holiday season for about 10,000 taxpayers who will have to repay an average amount of 350 euros. What is the reason for this error from the Portuguese tax authorities ? Are you affected by this refund request ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about this (new) error of the Portuguese tax authorities and the consequences for the taxpayers concerned.

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635 euros gross : Portugal proposes an increase of the national minimum wage in 2020

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635 euros gross : Portugal proposes an increase of the national minimum wage in 2020

Portuguese government has proposed Wednesday, November 13 that the minimum wage is set at 635 euros from 1 January 2020, according to the proposal presented Wednesday at the meeting of social dialogue and sent to the media. In this document, the government proposes that "the value of the monthly minimum guaranteed remuneration be set at 635 euros gross starting from 1 January 2020" and suggests that "the impact of updating the minimum wage" should be regularly monitored. to be in agreement. with the social partners. "This increase has yet to be validated and accepted by the social partners, employers as a trade union, association of bosses has already expressed reservations about this increase in the minimum wage.

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Portugal will have to inject 3 billion euros by 2021 to save Novo Banco, which never stops flowing

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Portugal will have to inject 3 billion euros by 2021 to save Novo Banco, which never stops flowing

Capital injections from the Portuguese state to save Novo Banco will cost € 2.9 billion between 2018 and 2021, if all goes well, says the Portuguese Public Finance Council. For the year 2020 the Portuguese government has planned to inject another 600 million euros into Novo Banco, via the Resolution Fund, following the losses reported by the bank. However, the financial situation of Novo Banco is worse than it seems, and Brussels knows it well. In the chapter dedicated to Portugal, in the new autumn forecasts, the European Commission estimates that, at a minimum, the Portuguese state will be asked to inject 653 million euros next year (0.3% of GDP) because of this year's losses as well as to improve its capital ratios. Mario Centeno, Portuguese Minister of the Economy, predicted 600 million in April. How much does Novo Banco cost? What is the financial situation of the "new bank"? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the new losses of the Novo Banco.

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Portuguese tax department loses once again and will have to refund ISV for another imported vehicle which she claimed 21,000 euros tax

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Portuguese tax department loses once again and will have to refund ISV for another imported vehicle which she claimed 21,000 euros tax

It seems that Pandora's box will be hard to close. Indeed, the Portuguese tax has again been condemned to repay part of the ISV of an imported car. This vehicle? A Mercedes GLS 350D of 2018 for which the Portuguese tax claimed 21.004,94 €. This is already the second case the Tax Authority (AT) is losing in this regard this year, and it looks like it will not be the last. Portugal, justifying this tax for environmental reasons, is still subject to Brussels sanctions concerning this tax, which is considered illegal. Is this the end of the ISV tax? Does this concern all imported vehicles? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this new defeat of the Portuguese tax authorities regarding the ISV tax.

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Portuguese unemployment rate drops to 6.1% in third quarter, increase of youth without job nor diploma

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Portuguese unemployment rate drops to 6.1% in third quarter, increase of youth without job nor diploma

During the Web Summit the Portuguese government announces good figures at the level of employment. In fact, the unemployment rate declined in the third quarter of this year to 6.1%. During the last quarter more than 31,000 jobs were created. This rate represents a decrease of 0.2% compared to the second quarter of the year. Nevertheless, these figures have to be put into perspective, in particular because of the fall in the active population and the increase in the number of young people without a job or diploma. The INE, the Portuguese National Institute of Statistics, indicates that this is the lowest unemployment rate since 2011. What is the detail of Portuguese unemployment figures? How to explain this dynamism? Is it the tree that hides the forest? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the latest figures of Portuguese unemployment.

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Huge drop in the number of Alojamento Local registrations in Portugal, -73% in Lisbon

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Huge drop in the number of Alojamento Local registrations in Portugal, -73% in Lisbon

It would seem that the Portuguese strategy to reduce the number of new Alojamento local and curb real estate speculation is starting to bear these fruits. Between January and October 2019, 13,201 new dwellings were registered for a tourist rental activity, 43% less than during the same period in 2018. Lisbon is the region most affected by this drop in new requests, because of the setting up of areas where it is no longer possible to obtain new licenses for tourist rental and Porto is not spared by this fall. Is this good news for people living in big portuguese cities ? What are the figures for this significant drop in Alojameto Local? Lisbob, the assistant of expats in Portugal, tells you all about this drop in registrations.

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Ranking of foreign investors in the Portuguese real estate market

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Ranking of foreign investors in the Portuguese real estate market

Foreign investments in the Portuguese real estate market are still on the rise, and once again the French dominate the ranking. Indeed, French investment is the largest in the Portuguese real estate market, with a 21% market share in the first half of 2019, according to the Association of Real Estate Professionals and Enterprises of Portugal (APEMIP). After studying all the activities carried out in the Portuguese real estate sector between January and June, APEMIP claims that foreign investments accounted for 16% of total real estate transactions in Portugal. Which countries are investing the most in Portuguese real estate? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, reveals the ranking of the largest foreign investors in the Portuguese real estate market.

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Portuguese tax authorities dispute condemnation to refund ISV

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Portuguese tax authorities dispute condemnation to refund ISV

The novel against the Portuguese tax authorities and taxpayers importing foreign vehicles is not over! Indeed, the dispute over the collection of the ISV tax on the import of foreign cars is now before the Constitutional Court. The Portuguese State was ordered in September to return the excess ISV tax on the importation of a foreign vehicle. This conviction has finally been challenged by the Portuguese tax authorities who decide to go to the end of their possible remedies in order to annul this decision which opened the way to remedies by many taxpayers who imported foreign vehicles. What are the consequences of this decision? Is this appeal from the Portuguese tax authorities likely to succeed? Lisbob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this turnaround on the ISV tax in Portugal.

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The most expensive apartment in Portugal's history sold for 7.2 million euros in Lisbon

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The most expensive apartment in Portugal's history sold for 7.2 million euros in Lisbon

How far will the rise in property prices in Lisbon go? This is a question that we are entitled to ask following the sale of the most expensive real estate in the history of Portugal. It is a rooftop apartment with private pool, gym and spa overlooking the Tagus River. Although the penthouse was acquired for an amount deemed exorbitant, the owner of the penthouse asked to remain anonymous. The owner of Lisbon's most expensive apartment will also enjoy views of Eduardo VII Park or São Jorge Castle from its 260-square meter terrace. Is it too expensive for an apartment in Lisbon? Does it deserve its price of 7.2 million euros? Lisbob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this new real estate madness in the Portuguese capital.

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Novo Banco will ask 541 million euros more to Portuguese taxpayers

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Novo Banco will ask 541 million euros more to Portuguese taxpayers

Novo Banco, born on the smoking ashes of the BES in 2014, estimates that it has to ask for at least 541 million euros more to the resolution fund in order to be saved. The Portuguese bank announced this need in its report on the results of the first half of this year. On their side, Portuguese MPs approved a draft resolution recommending to the government an independent audit of Novo Banco to know when this bottomless pit will stop. In addition, Novo Banco recorded a loss of 400.1 million euros in the first half of this year, compared with 212.2 million euros for the same period in 2018, which means that the situation is not improving. What is the statement of Novo Banco in the middle of the holidays? Who will pay the bill? Lisbob, the assistant of the expats in Portugal, tells you all about this new loss of Novo Banco.

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Massive change of NHR status in Portugal : discover the new list of professions with high added value

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Massive change of NHR status in Portugal : discover the new list of professions with high added value

The list of "high value added" professions that give access to NHR status in Portugal has changed. Occupations such as psychologists, architects, designers or archaeologists have left the list, and others such as directors of hotels and restaurants as well as dentists have been added. This is a real upheaval for the NHR status. In fact, the Portuguese tax authorities carried out a "thorough examination" of the list of professional activities recognized as "high value added" and which gave the right to the status of non-habitual residents. According to the order issued on Tuesday, "Portugal's economic situation has changed considerably since the publication of this table of activities, with a significant transformation of the dynamics of job creation". Non-usual residents in the occupations listed here are entitled to special rates on the IRS. What is the new list of professions recognized as "high value added" in Portugal? What about professions that come out of NHR status? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the new NHR status.

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End of NHR status for Swedish pensioners in Portugal

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End of NHR status for Swedish pensioners in Portugal

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.

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Portuguese tax authorities sentenced to refund part of the ISV tax for an imported car

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Portuguese tax authorities sentenced to refund part of the ISV tax for an imported car

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.

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Novo Banco loses 1.4 billion euros again and all taxpayers in Portugal will have to pay : 140 € per person

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Novo Banco loses 1.4 billion euros again and all taxpayers in Portugal will have to pay : 140 € per person

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.

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Cost of living in Portugal in 2020 : 10 things that will become more or less expensive

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Cost of living in Portugal in 2020 : 10 things that will become more or less expensive

2020 arrived and with it a general increase in prices and the cost of living in Portugal, which will affect several sectors ranging from food to tobacco through tolls. This increase in the cost of living in Portugal is the consequence of the increase in taxes, inflation, minimum wage and the price index which are assessed by the Portuguese government each year. The price of rents, cell phone plans as well as public transport passes are increasing for this new year 2020 in Portugal and it will be necessary to take this into account when calculating its budget to live in Portugal. Other expenses are down, especially for electricity, and some remain stable. What price increases are planned for 2020? What will be the cost of living in Portugal in 2020? Lisbob, the expat assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the 10 things that will become more expensive in Portugal in 2020.

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Increase of minimum salary in Portugal in 2019 : 600 € gross per month due to lack of agreement on the minimum wage

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Increase of minimum salary in Portugal in 2019 : 600 € gross per month due to lack of agreement on the minimum wage

Portuguese Labor Minister said on Monday (December 10th) that the Portuguese government "had kept its program" by raising the minimum wage to € 600 a month by 2019, justifying that it did not go further because of a lack consensus between unions and employers. Contrary to what the government announced some time ago, there will be no surprise about the increase of the minimum wage in Portugal. This will reach the gross monthly amount of 600 €. Officials see their salaries rise to € 635, the first increase since the wage freeze imposed in 2009. Why has the minimum wage not increased more? What decisions have been made regarding the Portuguese minimum salary ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about the minimum wage in Portugal in 2019.

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Instant 24/7 bank transfers arrive in Portugal

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Instant 24/7 bank transfers arrive in Portugal

If you already live in Portugal, then the banking system and its peculiarities may have surprised you. Having to wait for a long time for the distributor to pay his bills or hurry up before 3 pm to hope that his transfer starts on time, is a common thing in Portugal. But things will change. Indeed, it is now possible to make immediate bank transfers, that is to say in a few seconds. The Bank of Portugal announced on Wednesday 19 September that its payment system already allows immediate transfers, even between different banks. Immediate shipments can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Funds are available in ten seconds. The bank supervisor pointed out that adherence to this system is optional on the part of financial institutions. How does this immediate transfer system work? What are the conditions? Bob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about immediate transfers.

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Freelance : all the new rules on your rights and duties as a self-employed person in Portugal

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Freelance : all the new rules on your rights and duties as a self-employed person in Portugal

Work as a freelancer in Portugal can be quite complicated specially when you don't speak Portuguese. Hopefully Bob is here to explain to you the new rules if you are a self-employed person in Portugal. The Portuguese Government has decided to modify the social protection rules in case of sickness, unemployment and parenthood for all self-employed in Portugal as from 1 July 2018. Indeed, a decree has been promulgated and it changes the rules for people working as a freelancer in Portugal. Disability, unemployment, parenthood, many points are changed regarding the rights and duties of freelancers in Portugal. What are the new rules for people working as freelancers in Portugal ? Which deadlines are modified ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the changes to the rights and duties of freelancer in Portugal.