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Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Things You Should Know Before Moving to Porto

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 Things You Should Know Before Moving to Porto
Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Surprising Downsides of Living in the Algarve

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!

9 Surprising Downsides of Living in the Algarve
Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Reasons Why Lisbon Isn’t for Everyone

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.

9 Reasons Why Lisbon Isn’t for Everyone
Tips, Retire
Marc Martin - Portugal
Do You Need a Fiscal Representative in ...

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.

Do You Need a Fiscal Representative in Portugal? A Complete Guide for Non-EU Residents
Culture & Tradition, Visits
Marc Martin - Portugal
Top 9 of Lisbon's best districts to live in

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.

Top 9 of Lisbon's best districts to live in

Transport

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Portuguese tax authorities ordered to reimburse full ISV tax for the first time

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Portuguese tax authorities ordered to reimburse full ISV tax for the first time

Between Portugal and the ISV tax, it's a great love story. This tax (impostor sobre veiculos) concerns vehicles imported from abroad, and often represents an unpleasant surprise for expatriates who come to settle in Portugal. Being able to easily reach several thousand euros, this tax is disputed by taxpayers but also by Europe. For the first time, the Portuguese tax authorities were ordered to reimburse the full ISV tax collected for a used car imported from Germany. 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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Borders between Portugal and Spain will remain closed until June 15th

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Borders between Portugal and Spain will remain closed until June 15th

The coronavirus epidemic has led to the closure of certain borders within the European Union. The land border between Portugal and Spain has been closed since the establishment of the state of emergency on March 16th, and the passage on either side is reserved for residents or cross-border workers. The Portuguese Council of Ministers announced last night that the land borders between Portugal and Spain will remain closed until June 15th. However, this date is not final and may be revised depending on the evolution of the coronavirus epidemic. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about closing the borders between Portugal and Spain.

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Ryanair to resume 40% of flights on July 1st

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Ryanair to resume 40% of flights on July 1st

The coronavirus outbreak has strongly impacted the international air traffic sector with an unprecedented decrease in international flights. However, the hardest part seems to have passed and some companies decide to go ahead and announce a gradual resumption of activities. Ryanair has just announced that it will resume 40% of its flights on July 1st. What to hope for the many travelers and expatriates to be able to take the plane this summer. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about resuming Ryanair flights.

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International flights: Portugal imposes a limitation of 2/3 of passengers

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International flights: Portugal imposes a limitation of 2/3 of passengers

The coronavirus epidemic continues in Portugal and the 1,000 death mark has been surpassed. Nevertheless, Portugal ended the state of emergency to pass to the state of calamity, allowing the partial resumption of the activity. Among the sectors that are still impacted, that of international air traffic, which does not really know when and how it will be able to get out of this crisis. In order to protect passengers but still ensure economic viability, Portugal has decided to impose a 2/3 occupancy limit for international flights. This will generate additional costs for passengers and a logistical and financial challenge for airlines. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about limiting the. number of passengers on international flights to Portugal.

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Montijo Airport canceled? Emergency meeting between the government and the cities concerned

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Montijo Airport canceled? Emergency meeting between the government and the cities concerned

While everyone thought that Montijo Airport would finally be able to see the light of day, a new obstacle stood before the construction of this new airport. Scheduled to unclog the Lisbon-Portela airport, which has been overstepping for a few years, Montijo airport meets with opposition from several mayors and associations who prefer the option of Alcochete. Despite the positive environmental opinion issued a few weeks ago, a law, so far unnoticed, allows the town halls concerned by the new airport to veto and therefore to cancel its construction. Of the 9 town halls involved, 5 gave an unfavorable opinion. This Wednesday Antonio Costa, the Portuguese Prime Minister, urgently convened the mayors concerned in order to find a compromise. Meanwhile, the construction of Montijo Airport has never seemed so far away. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this emergency meeting to advance or cancel the construction of a new Lisbon - Montijo airport.

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List of speed radar controls in Portugal in March 2020

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List of speed radar controls in Portugal in March 2020

Here is the list of speed radar controls in Portugal for the month of March 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 March 2020. Let’s go !

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ISV tax : Portuguese tax authorities once again lose a constitutional court case

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ISV tax : Portuguese tax authorities once again lose a constitutional court case

Portugal is keen on its ISV tax and will not give up, despite the setbacks that are accumulating. After losing the case before the Arbitral Tribunal, where the Portuguese tax authorities have already been ordered to reimburse the ISV tax on four occasions, the Portuguese tax and customs administration (TA) suffered another setback, this time before the Constitutional Court. Indeed, it was felt that with the decision of the Arbitral Tribunal, there was no question of a violation of a constitutional rule. However, the Court nevertheless invited the Portuguese tax authorities to reformulate their request, but the latter ended up presenting no new arguments and the appeal was considered to have been abandoned. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this new defeat of the Portuguese fiscal authorities regarding the ISV tax.

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Brussels takes Portugal to court over ISV tax on imported vehicles

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Brussels takes Portugal to court over ISV tax on imported vehicles

Brussels decides to carry out its threats is attacks Portugal in justice. The European Commission has brought an action against Portugal before the Court of Justice of the EU for the fact that used vehicles imported from other Member States continue to be subject to higher taxes than those applied used cars acquired on the Portuguese market. Brussels had given an ultimatum to Lisbon to change its legislation on the ISV tax but it did not do so, arguing that the calculation of the tax was thus done to fight against climate change. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this legal battle between Brussels and Lisbon over the ISV tax.

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Suspension of works on the new circular subway line in Lisbon

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Suspension of works on the new circular subway line in Lisbon

This is bad news for those who bought a property near one of the new stations. In fact, as part of the vote on the Portuguese State Budget 2020, a proposal from the PAN party (animals and nature) obtained favorable votes from the PSD, BE, PCP and Chega in order to suspend the work of the new circular metro line in the Portuguese capital. The PS and the Liberal Initiative party voted against this initiative and the CDS abstained. The deputies behind this proposal want the metro to first be extended to Loures as well as Alcantara, areas poorly served by public transport, but also to give priority to the maintenance of the existing network. However, this suspension is only valid for 2020 at the moment. Those who have been impatiently waiting for the new metro line will have to wait. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the suspension of work on the new circular metro line in Lisbon.

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Record year for tax revenue in Portugal : € 46 billion in 2019, + 3.8%

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Record year for tax revenue in Portugal : € 46 billion in 2019, + 3.8%

You might be wondering why Portugal is so keen on its ISV tax ? Why does it apply a high IUC tax compared to other European countries ? Finally, why is gasoline so expensive in Portugal ? Taxes of course ! You will have some answers with the latest figures from the Portuguese tax authorities concerning the revenue for the year 2019 and the figures are quite good because Portugal harvested 1.68 billion more than in 2018. Revenues from the automotive sector and oil are notably up sharply. The Portuguese State thus collected 46 billion euros in tax in 2019 in total, a figure growing by 3.8% compared to 2018. In detail some taxes see their collection drop like the ISV, while the IUC breaks records. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about tax revennue in Portugal.

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Portugual again condemned to reimburse ISV tax for imported vehicle : Lisbon challenges Brussels

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Portugual again condemned to reimburse ISV tax for imported vehicle : Lisbon challenges Brussels

Never 2 without 3. The Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority (AT) was again ordered to refund part of the tax on imported vehicles (ISV) it had collected for a used car from the foreign. This decision dates from last week but Portugal is doing everything to remain discreet, as the question of the ISV could open a Pandora's box. It is indeed the third unfavorable conviction in a row from the Portuguese State, which does not comply with judicial decisions and tries to win the dispute before the Constitutional Court. Despite Europe's admonitions, Portugal decides to continue its momentum. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the Portuguese government’s new defeat over the ISV.

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List of speed radar controls in Portugal in February 2020

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List of speed radar controls in Portugal in February 2020

Here is the list of speed radar controls in Portugal for the month of February 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 February 2020. Let’s go !

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Definitive green light for the new Montijo-Lisbon airport ?

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Definitive green light for the new Montijo-Lisbon airport ?

The new Lisbon-Montijo airport will be done after receiving the final green light from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA). This new airport has been debated for a few years and after multiple twists in this file, the environmental impact study (DIA) gave a favorable opinion to the construction of Montijo airport in exchange for several environmental measures of a amount of 48 million euros. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the final green light given to the construction of the new Montijo airport.

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How to get refund of the overpaid IUC tax for a car imported into Portugal ?

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How to get refund of the overpaid IUC tax for a car imported into Portugal ?

The Portuguese tax authorities are preparing the automatic refund of the IUC of certain imported vehicles. Following the court ruling on the irregularity of the calculation of the IUC for cars dating before 2007 and imported into Portugal thereafter, the Portuguese fiscc opens a refund of the overpayment which potentially concerns 130,000 taxpayers. How to recover the IUC ? How do you know if you are affected by the reimbursement of this tax ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the reimbursement of the IUC.

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Portuguese tax authorities decide to reimburse four years of IUC tax for certain imported cars

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Portuguese tax authorities decide to reimburse four years of IUC tax for certain imported cars

Portuguese tax authorities have decided to review the way they have calculated the single circulation tax (IUC) levied on used cars imported from the European Union so far, without taking into account that they already had first registration in another country. Basically, when the car arrived in Portugal, it was treated as if it were registered for the first time, regardless of its actual age for tax purposes. However, the Portuguese tax authorities now recognize that this method of calculation was illegal and, moreover, that the owners of vehicles in these cases have the right to recover the tax collected in excess during the last four years, provided that the law authorizes the revision of a tax law.

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Portugal ignores Brussels ultimatum by not changing ISV tax on imported cars and even chooses to raise it

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Portugal ignores Brussels ultimatum by not changing ISV tax on imported cars and even chooses to raise it

It seems that Portugal is looking for a confrontation with Brussels over the ISV tax. Indeed, while the European Commission has imposed an ultimatum on Portugal to modify the calculation of the ISV tax, Lisbon has decided to turn a deaf ear to threats and will keep the ISV tax as it is. Worse, the Portuguese State Budget indicates an aggravation of the tax for the year 2020. Neither the defeats of the Portuguese taxman in the courts nor the threat of Brussels have changed the opinion of the economy ministry of Mário Centeno. What are the consequences of this Lisbon decision? How will Brussels react? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this increasingly open conflict between Lisbon and Brussels.

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List of speed radar controls in Portugal in December 2019

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List of speed radar controls in Portugal in December 2019

Here is the list of speed radar controls in Portugal for the month of December 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 December 2019. Let’s go !

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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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Shutdown of Lisbon airport for five months from January and end of the Lille - Lisbon flight

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Shutdown of Lisbon airport for five months from January and end of the Lille - Lisbon flight

From January 2020 until at least June, Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport will be limited due to the expansion that will result in its partial closure. As part of the development of the airport of the Portuguese capital and pending the new airport of Montijo, work will be undertaken to expand and improve. The closure will be complete during the night and will increase the available space. In total the works represent an investment of one billion euros, and some lines will simply disappear. What are the consequences of this closure? How long will the work last? Lisbob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the shutdown of Lisbon airport.

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Lisbon among the cities with the most chaotic traffic and the most expensive gasoline in the world

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Lisbon among the cities with the most chaotic traffic and the most expensive gasoline in the world

It is not good to have a car in the Portuguese capital! Indeed, a study by Mister Auto - the leading brand in the sale of auto parts - has just been published, and it reveals that Lisbon is ranked 74th in the ranking of cities in terms of traffic. This is well beyond the second half of the table, with an average of 0.44 cars per capita. Yet Lisbon is not a capital city with a high population density, but it is one of the cities that has the highest rate of commuting, cars coming in and going out every day. Also, the Lisbon fuel is one of the most expensive in the world However the Portuguese capital is surprisingly not so bad in terms of road safety. What are the traffic figures for the Portuguese capital? How does Lisbon compare to other major world cities? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the traffic figures of the Portuguese capital, one of the most chaotic in the world.