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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

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How to apply for and obtain a Portuguese NISS number online as a foreigner in 2024?

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How to apply for and obtain a Portuguese NISS number online as a foreigner in 2024?

When you decide to move to Portugal, it is sometimes difficult to complete those administrative procedures that can become a vicious circle in which it is difficult to see the end. Obtaining a Portuguese social security number (NISS) is not easy and is one of the mandatory steps for any expatriate wishing to work in Portugal. Although the rules have been relaxed in recent years, applying for and obtaining a Portuguese social security number is still a complicated process. Obtaining a Portuguese national insurance number NISS for foreigners is not only a headache for people who want to work, but also for companies who want to hire them. What are the steps to follow to obtain a Portuguese social security number in Portugal if you are a foreigner? What is the process to obtain your Portuguese NISS number as an expatriate? I am Lisbob, the assistant for expats, and I tell you everything about the conditions to obtain the Portuguese social security number as foreigners.

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Everything about Non-Habitual Resident Status NHR in Portugal, Complete Guide 2023 : Conditions, Taxes and Evolution

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Everything about Non-Habitual Resident Status NHR in Portugal, Complete Guide 2023 : Conditions, Taxes and Evolution

The resident-non-habitual NHR status is a fiscal regime that was created in 2009 by the Portuguese Government. It is a tax system that grants a 20% tax rate or a total exemption on the taxation of income of expatriates who choose to live in Portugal, for a period of 10 years. And this is not just about retirees ! In order to get the famous tax scheme, it is necessary to prepare well. In total more than 23,000 people benefited from this tax regime. Of course, certain conditions must be met in order to benefit from the non-habitual resident NHR status in Portugal, and becoming a resident is one of them. The NHR scheme is granted to both active and retired people if they meet certain criteria. What is the NHR status ? How do you qualify for NHR in Portugal ? What are the conditions to qualify for NHR status in Portugal ? What are the tax benefits of non-habitual resident status ? How to get NHR status ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the non-habitual resident NHR tax status in 2021.

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End-of-work bonus and severance pay in Portugal : everything you need to know in order to calculate and know your rights in case of job contract termination

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End-of-work bonus and severance pay in Portugal : everything you need to know in order to calculate and know your rights in case of job contract termination

Everything that has a beginning to an end and a contract of employment in Portugal, even for an indefinite period, may one day be completed. The termination of the employment contract may entitle the employee to compensation, depending on the type of dismissal. When one leaves voluntarily or not his work at. Portugal it is important to know if one can benefit from end of contract benefits. In fact, Portuguese law sets award criteria and calculation methods for end-of-contract bonuses, whether you decide to leave your job or your employer decides to terminate your professional relationship. How to calculate the Portuguese end of contract bonus ? How to know these rights to severance benefits in Portugal ? Lisbob, the assistant of expats in Portugal, tells you all about end of contract bonuses and severance pay.

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Rights of pregnant women in Portugal: What are they and how can they benefit?

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Rights of pregnant women in Portugal: What are they and how can they benefit?

Pregnancy is an important step in the life of the woman and the couple and is therefore protected in Portugal by law, which gives certain rights to pregnant women. As soon as she is in pregnancy and to benefit from the rights of the pregnant woman, she can and must acquire the status of pregnant worker (pregnant trabalhadora). Do you know what are the exclusive rights for pregnant women in Portugal ? How to benefit ? Bob, the Expats Personal Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal, makes you aware of the rights of the woman during pregnancy and the baby's early years.

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All about the periodic VAT declaration as a self-employed worker in Portugal

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All about the periodic VAT declaration as a self-employed worker in Portugal

If you live and work as a freelancer in Portugal then the question of VAT collection or not is an important topic. It is essential for the success of your freelance activity to know the particularities of the VAT declaration in Portugal. Indeed in case of bad information transmission you expose yourself to sometimes heavy fines which can mean the end of your activity. Working as a freelancer in Portugal is not easy but thanks to Lisbob digital nomads have all cards in hand in order to know how to fill and send periodic VAT declaration in Portugal. What is periodic VAT return declaration ? How to fill it correctly ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal tells you all about the periodic VAT return in Portugal for the self-employed.

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What are the expenses and charges deductible from income tax as a freelancer in Portugal ?

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What are the expenses and charges deductible from income tax as a freelancer 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.

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How to complete and transmit the quarterly declaration to social security as a self-employed person in Portugal ?

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How to complete and transmit the quarterly declaration to social security as a self-employed person in Portugal ?

Since 1 January 2019 there has been a new reporting obligation for self-employed persons in Portugal. Indeed, a new mandatory quarterly declaration must be sent to the social security system in January, April, July and October, thus making it possible to calculate the amount of the contributions that the freelance must pay. The amount of social security taxes as a self-employed person in Portugal is now calculated each quarter according to the income obtaining over the previous 3 months. This social security declaration is made directly on the website Segurança Social Direita. How to complete your self-employed worker declaration in Portugal ? How to calculate social security contributions as a freelancer ? Lisbob, expats assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the quarterly income statement to the Portuguese Social Security.

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Entrepreneur : How to start a business in one hour in Portugal, step by step

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Entrepreneur : How to start a business in one hour in Portugal, step by step

You have made the decision to live in Portugal and to embark on entrepreneurship, so this article is for you. Did you know that it is possible to open a business in one hour in Portugal? In recent years, portuguese administration has modernized and simplified the process of setting up a company in Portugal. He has also set up a "Empresa na hora" department (your company within an hour) so that entrepreneurs can save time. What are the stages of creating a company ? How to start your business in one hour in Portugal ? Lisbob, the Expatriate and Entrepreneur Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal tells you everything.

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Freelancer : How to fill and issue a Recibo Verde in Portugal, step by step

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Freelancer : How to fill and issue a Recibo Verde in Portugal, step by step

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.

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5 mistakes to avoid when working as a freelancer in Portugal

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5 mistakes to avoid when working as a freelancer in Portugal

Going to live in Portugal and working there as a self-entrepreneur is an intensely exciting adventure. Every day new opportunities, ideas and challenges come to expats who are tempted by the freelance adventure in Portugal. One of the most important challenges as an expatriate in Portugal is of course the language. When it comes to important topics like your career as a freelancer it is essential to avoid some mistakes that can sometimes be very expensive. So that your "portuguese dream" does not end earlier than expected, Lisbob has gathered for you the 5 mistakes to avoid as a self-employed person in Portugal. With these tips no doubt you will already have fewer (bad) surprises and you can focus on your success.

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All types of companies and businesses in Portugal, individual and collective

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All types of companies and businesses in Portugal, individual and collective

If you have the project to undertake in Portugal, then one of the key steps in starting a business is the legal choice of the entity to be formed. It is important to know all the types of companies that can be incorporated in Portugal, in order to choose the best option to ensure the success of your business. Indeed, even if the legal forms are similar to what can be found in other European countries, Portugal has its peculiarities which make a bad choice of status can lead to many setbacks.

You must always consider the strengths of the future company, the assets to be allocated, the type of responsibility, and the required capital investment. Last but not least, you must decide if it is an adventure that you intend to conduct alone or with other partners. What are the different legal forms for companies and businesses in Portugal? What status to take if the activity is for an individual or for a group? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything in this comprehensive guide to all legal forms of business and society, individual or collective in Portugal in 2020.

 

In this way, to help you make this decision, it follows a list of different legal forms of companies, divided into two categories - individual and collective.

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The average salary in Lisbon is at € 1,174 but 17% earn less than € 600, the number of bankruptcies down sharply

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The average salary in Lisbon is at € 1,174 but 17% earn less than € 600, the number of bankruptcies down sharply

The Union of Trade Unions of Lisbon, the USL, unveiled last Friday the latest figures concerning the remuneration of workers in the Portuguese capital. The average salary in the district of Lisbon is currently 1,171.9 euros monthly, but 17.7% of workers receive less than 600 euros and 29.2% earn between 600 and 900 euros. These figures, to which everyone can say what he wants, show in any case large wage inequalities in a capital whose cost of living has continued to explode in recent years, to become ultimately more expensive than other European capitals. Also, corporate bankruptcies have halved since the peak of 2015, but remain at a high level. What are the wage figures of the Lisbon workers? What is the wage trend in the Portuguese capital? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about these figures released by the USL.

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Sick leave in Portugal : complete guide to medical leave in 2020

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Sick leave in Portugal : complete guide to medical leave in 2020

If you are working in Portugal, then at some point you may need to be on sick leave. Not that the weather in Portugal is wetter than you thought (though), but that it's okay to get sick and sometimes essential to let your body or mind rest and heal. Whether you are an employee or a self-employed person, it is possible to take leave for medical reasons. It is important to know your rights as well as your duties with the Portuguese social security, especially when you do not master the language or the laws of your country of expatriation. In order to avoid unpleasant surprises, we have gathered the essentials of what you need to know in terms of sick leave and sick leave in Portugal. Who has the right to take sick leave? How much do you receive health benefits in Portugal? How to go on medical leave? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the sick leave and sick leave in 2020.

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Mandatory and optional insurance as freelancer in Portugal

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Mandatory and optional insurance as freelancer in Portugal

You made the decision to come live and work as a freelancer in Portugal? As a self-entrepreneur there are certain obligations that you must respect in terms of insurance. The subject may seem nebulous when one does not know Portuguese language and legislation but it is important to know your obligations as a freelancer in Portugal. What are the compulsory insurance as a self-employed person in Portugal? Do I have to take a professional multi-risk for my auto-entrepreneur activity? Lisbob, the expats assistant in Portugal tells you everything.

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How to obtain proof of address and certificate of fiscal residence in Portugal on finanças website in 9 steps

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How to obtain proof of address and certificate of fiscal residence in Portugal on finanças website in 9 steps

When living in Portugal, it is common for us to be asked for proof of tax domicile or proof of address from the Portuguese tax authorities. This administrative approach has become over the years a mere formality thanks to new technologies. Indeed, it is now possible for any taxpayer, even a foreign expatriate, to request and receive a proof of tax residence that serves as proof of address in Portugal. This free document, which is obtained online, certifies your home in Portugal and can be requested on several occasions during your life of expatriate: to contract services or recurring services, to open a bank account, to make a loan or credit or to enroll his children in a Portuguese school. The majority of people use water or electricity bills as proof of address or proof of address, but the personal information on these documents means that some people simply prefer to provide proof of tax domicile. How to get a proof of Portuguese tax domicile ? How to request and receive proof of tax address in Portugal ? Lisbob, expats assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about how to have proof of residence in Portugal directly on the website of financas, in 9 steps.

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Freelancer : Everything about the status of self-employed worker in Portugal in 2020

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Freelancer : Everything about the status of self-employed worker in Portugal in 2020

Becoming a self-employed worker (Empresário em Nome Individual) in Portugal may be a good option if your activity requires flexibility or if you want to maintain autonomy in the management of your work. Live in Portugal and work as yoga teacher, freelance graphic designer or craftsman sounds good, but the status of self-employed worker is different in Portugal compared to the one proposed in other countries and the rules are different. Your dream of working as freelancer in Portugal might become a nightmare if you don’t follow and respect the rules of self-employed workers. What are the advantages of being a self-employed worker ? How to become a self-entrepreneur in Portugal ? Lisbob, the Expats Personal Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal, tells you everything you need to know about self-employing in Portugal in 2020.

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Work accident in Portugal : everything you need to know

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Work accident in Portugal : everything you need to know

Despite significant progress in preventing occupational accidents in recent years, the number of occurrences in Portugal is still high. In fact, Portugal is one of the European countries with the highest number of work accidents, and expatriates who decide to leave to live and work in Portugal are sometimes poorly prepared or lost to the complexity of Portuguese laws in case accident occurring at work. Of course, some industries are more at risk of accidents - the construction sector continues to be the most affected both in terms of the number of accidents and the severity of accidents - but the truth is that an accident at work can happen to anyone, any time, whatever the profession. Indeed, an accident that occurs on the way back from work can be considered and taken care of as an accident at work. What is the definition of a work accident in Portugal ? How to recognize it ? What are the rights and duties in case of work accidents ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about what you need to know about work-related accidents.

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How to start a food truck business in Portugal in 7 steps

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How to start a food truck business in Portugal in 7 steps

Food trucks are on the rise! In Portugal, as elsewhere, these small ambulant catering trucks, synonymous with conviviality and greed, have conquered the entire planet, and everyone wants to open his own. Not a single market, not an outdoor event unfolds today without them participating in the party, for our greatest pleasure. There is even a food truck festival in Lisbon. In view of this proven success, you too may imagine you join the family of food truck owners and make it your freelance activity in Portugal. Food, drink, tasting, there are as many ideas to open a food truck as steps to make to get there. How to start a food truck business in Portugal ? What are the steps to start an itinerant catering activity ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal tells you everything to start a food truck business inPortugal in 7 steps. Let’s go !

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How to calculate the net salary from gross in Portugal?

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How to calculate the net salary from gross in Portugal?

When it's time to make the decision to come to live and work in Portugal, topics such as real wages and purchasing power come back regularly. Calculating net take-home pay in Portugal is a different exercise than in other countries and it is important to know it in advance in order to live serenely. If you are planning to come to work in Portugal then this article is for you. What is the average salary in Lisbon and other cities? How to calculate the net salary from gross in Portugal? Bob, the Expats Personal Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal tells you everything.

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How to file and submit your online IRS income tax return in Portugal, step by step

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How to file and submit your online IRS income tax return in Portugal, step by step

Since few years the IRS income tax declaration is entirely online in Portugal. The automatic IRS option is undoubtedly an option that greatly facilitates this obligation since it allows you to validate your declaration in a few clicks. If you want, you can trust fiscal authorities and let the declaration fill in automatically : you will just have to validate the declaration at the end of the process. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about how to complete your automatic IRS tax return online, step by step. Because the sooner you validate and submit your return, the sooner you will receive a refund if you are entitled to it.