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Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 secrets locals don’t tell you about Portugal

Moving to Portugal is an exciting journey, but there are a few secrets locals don’t usually share. These hidden gems and insights can make a huge difference in your expat experience. Today, we’re uncovering the top 9 secrets locals don’t tell you about Portugal. Ready to get the inside scoop? I’m Lisbob, your trusty expat assistant, and I’m here to guide you through it all.

9 secrets locals don’t tell you about Portugal
Culture & Tradition
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Unbelievable Laws You Didn’t Know Existed in ...

Portugal is a country full of rich traditions, stunning landscapes, and… some rather unexpected laws! While many regulations make perfect sense, others may surprise you with their unusual nature. If you live in Portugal or are planning to move there, here are 9 bizarre laws that might make you raise an eyebrow (or even laugh). I’m Lisbob, the expat assistant, and today, I’m revealing some of the strangest laws in Portugal that you probably never knew existed!

9 Unbelievable Laws You Didn’t Know Existed in Portugal 🇵🇹
Culture & Tradition, Tips, Food
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Bold and Unique Portuguese Dishes to Try (If ...

Portuguese cuisine is a true adventure, filled with bold flavors and unique traditions. While some dishes are instant hits with foreigners, others require a bit more courage. For expats, exploring the local gastronomy is a must to truly immerse yourself in Portuguese culture. I’m Lisbob, the expat assistant, and here are 9 Portuguese dishes that are as delicious as they are daring—perfect for those who want to expand their culinary horizons or simply prove their bravery!

9 Bold and Unique Portuguese Dishes to Try (If You Dare!)
Culture & Tradition, Tips, Finance
Marc Martin - Portugal
The Real Cost of Living in Portugal vs. ...

Portugal has become a popular destination for expats, known for its beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and affordable lifestyle. But is the cost of living really as low as people expect? From housing and groceries to healthcare and entertainment, here’s a breakdown of the real cost of living in Portugal compared to common expectations. I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, here to help you understand what to budget for and avoid surprises!

The Real Cost of Living in Portugal vs. Expectations
Culture & Tradition, Tips, Transport
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Surprising Rules for Driving in Portugal

Driving in Portugal can be a wonderful way to explore the country’s scenic routes and hidden gems, but it also comes with some unique rules and practices that may surprise newcomers. From specific speed limits to unexpected parking regulations, here are 9 surprising rules for driving in Portugal that every expat and visitor should know. I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, here to help you navigate Portuguese roads with confidence!

9 Surprising Rules for Driving in Portugal
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New 2020 IRS tax rates and brackets in Portugal

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New 2020 IRS tax rates and brackets in Portugal

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.

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Rain, snow and strong winds in Portugal : severe weather warning for the next 48 hours

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Rain, snow and strong winds in Portugal : severe weather warning for the next 48 hours

The Portuguese Civil Protection warned this Sunday of a worsening of the weather in the next 48 hours, with episodes of rain, the possibility of snowfall and strong winds. In the northern and central regions, rain or showers are expected, which continue on Monday with sometimes heavy showers on the continent and even thunderstorms. According to the weather forecast, snow could be expected above 1400/1600 meters in late Sunday afternoon. The strong wind will also be there. What are the weather forecasts for the next few days in Portugal? Which regions are affected by the weather warning issued by the Portuguese Civil Protection? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about the weather for the next 48 hours.

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End of NHR status on January 1st, 2020 for foreign retirees : Portuguese government admits having to take a decision quickly

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End of NHR status on January 1st, 2020 for foreign retirees : Portuguese government admits having to take a decision quickly

NHR (non-habitual resident) status may be spending its last days, at least in its current version. This tax status allows foreign retirees to be granted full exemption from taxation on private sector pension income. This sometimes leads to situations of double non-taxation, with pensioners not being taxed either in Portugal or by their country of origin, drawing some criticism. The Portuguese government, as part of the 2020 State Budget, has admitted studying the possibility of terminating the NHR status on January 1, 2020 and applying an IRS tax to foreign retirees who enjoy the status of non-habitual resident of 15% to 20%. The subject is even on the table of the Portuguese Council of Ministers and a final decision should arrive soon. What is the detail of this upcoming change to the NHR status? Is there really a chance that this proposal will pass for January 1, 2020? What impact for current beneficiaries of NHR status? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the end of NHR status.

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Yellow weather alert for 12 regions of Portugal for wind, rain and snow

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Yellow weather alert for 12 regions of Portugal for wind, rain and snow

The weather is getting worse in Portugal and one will have to be careful in the coming days. Indeed, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), 12 districts of mainland Portugal will be on yellow alert this Wednesday because of the difficult weather conditions that will run until Saturday. Rain, wind and snow prompt the IPMA to set up the yellow alert level. What are the weather forecasts for the next few days in Portugal? Which regions are affected by this orange alert? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about this yellow alert issued by IPMA.

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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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Greta Thunberg will arrive in Lisbon this Tuesday morning at Doca de Alcantara before going to Madrid for COP 25

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Greta Thunberg will arrive in Lisbon this Tuesday morning at Doca de Alcantara before going to Madrid for COP 25

The 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg announced on Twitter that she will arrive in Lisbon on Tuesday on the yacht she crossed the Atlantic to the COP 25 in Madrid. Green activist Greta Thunberg said she was due to dock at Doca d'Alcantara on Tuesday morning, at the end of the pontoon on the Tagus River, next to the Alcantara Ferry Terminal, before heading to the Spanish capital to attend. Climate Change Summit, COP25. Lisbon, chosen as the green capital of Europe 2020, also benefits from the arrival of the young activist with an advertisement at little cost. What is the detail of Greta Thunberg's stop in Portugal ? What are the planned actions ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about Greta Thunberg's move to Portugal.

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Portugal voted "world’s best tourist destination" for the 3rd year in a row, Lisbon best "City Break"

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Portugal voted "world’s best tourist destination" for the 3rd year in a row, Lisbon best "City Break"

Portugal has been elected as the "best tourist destination in the world" at the World Travel Awards, considered the Oscars of tourism. This is the third year in a row that Portugal has won this award, confirming the dynamism and quality of Portuguese tourism. The World Travel Awards ceremony was held in Muscat, Oman. This is the third year in a row that Portugal has won the most coveted award and is therefore "tricampeaõ" of the world. Other infrastructures and places of Portuguese tourism have been recognized, notably Lisbon and Madeira. TAP also won three awards. What are the prices of tourism won by Portugal? How were these prizes celebrated? Lisbob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, tells you all about Portugal's third consecutive victory at the World Travel Awards.

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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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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.

Portugal continues to lose inhabitants and sees its population grow aging more and more

Portugal continues to lose inhabitants and sees its population grow aging more and more

INE, the National Institute of Estatistica, has just released the final figures of the population of Portugal for the year 2018. The demographic statistics of Portugal for 2018 confirm the downward trend since the economic crisis, with some changes . The negative natural balance is the largest in recent years, reflecting the rapid and deep aging of the Portuguese population, and skilled emigration has further increased, accelerating the brain drain. The statistics published this Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) reveal that the population of Portugal decreased again last year with a decrease of 14,410 inhabitants to reach a total of 10,276,617 people. Other trends recorded in previous years remain: 43,170 permanent residents entered Portugal, representing an increase of 17.8% compared to 2017. Also, 28,856 foreigners acquired Portuguese nationality, or 23.7% more than the year before. What are the statistics in detail of Portuguese demography? What are the numbers of immigration and emigration? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the latest figures in Portuguese demography.

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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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Orange weather alert for 7 regions of Portugal for wind, rain and rough sea

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Orange weather alert for 7 regions of Portugal for wind, rain and rough sea

Autumn is very present in Portugal and it will be necessary to pay attention during the next days. Indeed, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), seven districts of mainland Portugal will be on orange alert this Tuesday because of the difficult weather conditions that will run until Wednesday. What is the weather forecast for the next days in Portugal ? Which regions are affected by this orange alert ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about this orange alert issued by IPMA.

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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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List of speed radar controls in Portugal in November 2019

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List of speed radar controls in Portugal in November 2019

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

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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.