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!
Thinking of settling in Portugal? To truly fit in and enjoy life here, it helps to understand some unspoken rules that locals live by. These aren’t in any guidebook, but they make a big difference in how you’ll experience Portuguese culture. From social etiquette to daily customs, here are 9 essential rules that locals follow—and that expats should too! I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, and I’m here to help you navigate life in Portugal like a local!
Buying property in Portugal is an exciting step, but it’s easy to make mistakes that can cost you time, money, and peace of mind. From navigating legal paperwork to understanding the true costs, buying a home here isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. Before you dive in, let’s look at 9 common mistakes people make when purchasing property in Portugal—so you can avoid them. I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, and I’m here to help you make a smart, stress-free investment!
Dreaming of peaceful days, rolling landscapes, and a break from city life? The Portuguese countryside is undoubtedly charming, but living there comes with some unexpected realities that aren’t always in the guidebooks. From slower services to unique quirks of rural life, the countryside offers a different rhythm that can be both enchanting and challenging. Before making the move, here are 9 unexpected realities of life in rural Portugal. I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, and I’m here to give you the real scoop on country life in Portugal!
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!
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.
The Portuguese labor code is complicated and sometimes contains secrets that few people know. Lisbob is the # 1 assistant for expats and its mission is to help you know all your rights and above all to know how to assert them. Portugal, like other European countries, offers workers a right to training which can, at the end of the working relationship, bring in several hundred euros. However, many companies play on not knowing this law so as not to have to pay this amount. Lisbob, the # 1 expatriate assistant, tells you all about this Portuguese labor law that could pay off.
The Portuguese employment situation is no longer good. The unemployment rate in Portugal has been increasing since November of last year. This trend prompts some economists to speak of the end of the "golden age" of employment in Portugal. The provisional estimate from the Portuguese National Institute of Statistics confirms a further increase, the third consecutive. In January, unemployment reached 6.9% of the Portuguese population and the rate is 19.3% among young people. There is no official explanation for this increase in unemployment. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the Portuguese unemployment figures.
With a proposed salary increase of 0.3% in 10 years, the Portuguese government has annoyed the public service. In fact, the employees of the public administration of Portugal are currently carrying out a national strike, the first of the current legislature of Antonio Costa, and are organizing a demonstration in Lisbon this Friday with the different trade union organizations of the CGTP and the UGT. They anticipate strong support for the demonstrations and indicate that the various public services, such as administrations and waste collection, are strongly impacted by the staff strike, which has been going on since midnight and which will officially end this evening at the same time. The big national demonstration will start at 2.30 p.m. from Place Marquês de Pombal and many public workers from across the country plan to go there. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the civil service strike in Portugal.
Unemployment ends up in 2019 in Portugal: the rate is 6.9% The unemployment rate in Portugal has known good figures for a few years. However, the year 2019 ends with an increase to 6.9%, a figure revealed by the INE (the National Institute of Statistics) from the monthly unemployment rate excluding seasonal variation. You have to go back to August 2018 to find a higher, higher unemployment rate. Should this be seen as a break or an aggravation of the employment situation in Portugal? Lisbob, the expats assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the new Portuguese unemployment figures.
The Portuguese government wants to change the income tax levels for next year, according to the preliminary version of the 2020 state budget, the final version of which will be delivered to the Portuguese parliament on Monday. The IRS tax rates do not change, but the brackets are updated taking into account inflation at 0.3%. Last year the rates had not changed, unlike 2018 which saw the emergence of new income tax levels. This proposal from the Portuguese government has yet to be definitively approved in the framework of the 2020 State Budget. What are the changes in the income tax levels in Portugal? What are the new Portuguese IRS tax rates? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant to Portugal, tells you all about the new income tax rates.
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.
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.
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.
In Portugal good surprises sometimes come from the bosses. The minimum wage is € 580 gross in 2018 in Portugal and this amount has seen several increases in recent years. At each discussion of the Portuguese State Budget, the workers 'and employers' unions negotiate and defend their interests and defend their work. But this year the CIP, the equivalent of the Employers’ Union in Portugal, could create a surprise by proposing an increase in the minimum wage beyond the expectations of all unions. Indeed, the boss of the CIP said that we should expect a surprise concerning the increase of the Portuguese minimum wage. What are these statements of the Portuguese Employers’ Union ? What is the proposed amount ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about raising the minimum wage in Portugal.
Portugal is known to attract major global groups in the field of new technologies and it is not uncommon to hear about the European Silicon Valley. The trend is confirmed even more today with the announcement made Wednesday, June 13 by Kent Walker, vice president of Google for international development. Indeed this year Portugal will host a training center and development of the operating system of Google Android with 1,000 positions to the key. When is planned the opening of this Google center in Portugal? Where will it be located? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the opening of the Google Development Center and its 1,000 vacancies.
Portugal is one of the best places to live and work. However, it may happen that your professional relationship with your employer or your clients ends. If you lose your job or cease your self-employment activity, you must meet several conditions to qualify for unemployment benefits in Portugal. Until now it was complicated for a non-Lusophone to know his rights to unemployment benefits in Portugal. Thanks to Bob, the Expats Personal Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal this period is over. What are the conditions to benefit from subsidio de desemprego? Am I entitled to unemployment benefits in Portugal? Bob helps you live better and work in Portugal and tells you everything.
The Portuguese Parliament approved the new fiscal law 2018 that includes the end of the system of payment of the subsídios of Ferias and Natal spread over the year and this from January 1th. At the end of the year the net amount received will be the same but the effects for the first months of the year will be more or less important depending on your income and which option you choosed regarding subsídios. The net amount that you will receive at the end of January will be lower than last year (if you have opted for the spread of the payment of subsídios). This measure also applies to public employees and retirees in 2018.
