The health crisis linked to the coronavirus epidemic has not spared Portugal, which is embarking on a second state of emergency. Nevertheless, the predicted disaster seems to have been avoided and Portugal is doing quite well compared to its neighbor Spain. As the lightened state of emergency returns and travel is limited, Portugal begins to prepare for 2021 and the revival of its economy. Even though the months ahead look tough, Portugal could do well in the long term and emerge stronger from the crisis. Of course, the article dwells on the potentially positive aspects and overlooks the immense challenges Portugal will face. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, gives you 6 reasons why Portugal might emerge stronger from the coronavirus crisis.
Curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from 1 p.m. on weekends in Portugal
With the announcement by the President of the Portuguese Republic of the return of the “preventive” state of emergency, Prime Minister Antonio Costa for his part detailed this Saturday, November 7th the measures that will be in place in the 121 municipalities that are concerned, in order to combat the coronavirus epidemic. The implementation of a curfew in these areas has been confirmed, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from 1 p.m. on weekends. It will also be mandatory to be tested to access certain places. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the implementation of the curfew in Portugal.
Mandatory mask in Portugal for 3 months even outdoors
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa had said he was considering making it mandatory to wear the mask outdoors, although its usefulness and effectiveness outdoors remains to be proven. The Portuguese Parliament is expected to vote in favor of this measure this Friday 23rd October. While critics have focused on the StayAway Covid tracking app, wearing masks outdoors has met with broad political consensus. This obligation will be for a minimum period of 3 months. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about wearing the compulsory mask outdoors in Portugal.
Portugal bans travels between departments between October 30th and November 3rd, lockdown for 3 municipalities
The Portuguese government of Antonio Costa announced this Thursday the ban on movement between each department (concelhos) between October 30th and November 3rd, in order to fight against the spread of the coronavirus epidemic which has already made more than 2,000 deaths since the onset of covid-19 in Portugal. This shock measure aims to avoid travel for the weekend of November 1, a public holiday in Portugal and an opportunity for families to get together. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the travel ban in Portugal.
Storm Barbara: all of Continental Portugal under orange weather alert, 130 km/h expected
The IPMA (Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere) has issued an orange alert bulletin for the whole of mainland Portugal, due to the heavy rains and wind that will hit the country with the arrival of storm Barbara. The gusts will reach 130 km / h and encourage the authorities to call for caution. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about this orange weather alert in Portugal due to storm Barbara.
Coronavirus: Portugal goes into a state of calamity
Faced with the increase in positive cases of coronavirus, Portugal has decided to go into a state of calamity. This state allows the implementation of measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus epidemic in Portugal, such as limiting the number of people who can meet to 5, or the obligation to wear the mask in certain places. The state of calamity will be in place from midnight tonight. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the establishment of the state of calamity in Portugal.
Collapse of the ceiling of the Lisbon metro on the blue line: 4 injured, the line closed for 2 days
An incident occurred this Tuesday, September 29 on the blue line of the Lisbon metro in Portugal. In fact, part of the ceiling collapsed between São Sebastião and Praça de Espanha stations at around 2:23 pm The authorities recorded 4 injuries and the line will be closed for 2 days. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you about the ceiling collapse of the Lisbon metro.
List of speed radar controls in Portugal in September 2020
Here is the list of speed radar controls in Portugal for the month of September 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 September 2020. Let’s go !
Rent freeze in 2021 in Portugal due to deflation
This is one of the consequences of the deflation that is taking hold in Portugal: residential and commercial rents will not increase in 2021. Indeed, after 5 consecutive years of increase, the inflation rate was zero (-0, 03%) in August, the National Institute of Statistics (INE) confirmed this Thursday, September 10. This zero or negative rate forces the executive to declare a freeze on rental values in 2021. As a result, landlords will not be able to increase their tenant's rent for next year. Lisbob, the # 1 expatriate assistant, tells you all about the rent freeze in Portugal in 2021.
Portugal again excluded from the British air corridor, terrible news for tourism
Portugal had feared him for several weeks, and England have just buried their last hopes. Indeed, Portugal is once again joining the “black list” countries: all people who have stayed in Portugal will have to quarantine for two weeks upon their arrival in England. The measure will be implemented on Saturday 12th at 4 a.m. (UK time). Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the country’s new exclusion from the UK air corridor.
All the details of the "contingency plan" in Portugal from September 15th
As announced a few weeks ago by the Portuguese Directorate General of Health, Portugal will go fully into a state of contingency as of September 15th, in order to fight against the coronavirus epidemic. The purpose of this change is to introduce new routines in the face of the increase in new cases and the start of the school year. Also, some rules only concern the AML and the North region. New rules, new hours, Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about this state of contingency in Portugal from September 15th.
Portugal will lower the VAT on electricity to 13%
Portugal has decided to lower the VAT rate on electricity, currently at 23%, for homes with low consumption. This is a measure that has been expected for several years and which is intended to favor households that consume little. The total estimated cost of the measures is 150 million euros and "will cover around 5.2 million contracts (86% of low voltage customers)", details the press release from the Portuguese Council of Ministers. The drop should be implemented in December. Lisbob, the # 1 expatriate assistant, tells you all about the drop in Portuguese electricity VAT.
New Portuguese school: no break, take-away canteen and disinfection by the pupils themselves
The coronavirus epidemic has already changed a lot of our habits, and this will also affect the youngest of us as soon as the start of the school year, scheduled in Portugal between September 14th and September 17th, resumes. With less than a month before the children going back to school, Portuguese health authorities are issuing recommendations for the safest possible return. Among the measures, the establishment of a take-away only canteen, the disinfection of chairs and tables by the students themselves and in some establishments the disappearance of breaks! Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the new Portuguese school.
How to receive more than 1,000 € at the end of your employment contract in Portugal (what companies are hiding from you)
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.
Freedom for Rui Pinto, the Portuguese Julian Assange
This is great news for Rui Pinto, the notorious Portuguese hacker behind tax evasion revelations, including the infamous football leaks. After being arrested in Budapest on April 8, 2019, then extradited to Lisbon, Rui Pinto reportedly showed a willingness to collaborate with the Portuguese authorities. Despite being charged with a total of 90 crimes related to his hacks and other revelations, Rui Pinto, the so-called Portuguese Julian Assange, will be released pending trial. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the release of Rui Pinto, the hacker behind the "Football leaks".
List of speed radar controls in Portugal in August 2020
Here is the list of speed radar controls in Portugal for the month of August 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 August 2020. Let’s go !
What is the best VPN for expats accessible from Portugal and how to install it ?
As an expatriate, the Internet has become a real communication tool that, despite the distance and the kilometers, makes us feel a little less close to our loved ones. Social networks, news site, videoconferencing: The Internet has revolutionized the way expats live abroad. Go on a trip or business trip, study or work abroad ? It has become important to keep access to its favorite websites and content, and to ignore censorship or bandwidth limitations. However, it is sometimes difficult to have access your favorite site or a particular newspaper because of the geographical location. This problem is well known to expatriates and one solution is found : the VPN. To make it simple, the Virtual Private Network makes the website believe that you are connected from a country other than where you are. There are several, at moderate costs, but difficult to navigate in this multitude of offers and technical aspects. Relax : Lisbob has done a thorough investigation to find out how to watch TV from Portugal, access the Netflix catalog or consult your favorite news site. What is the best VPN from Portugal ? How to install a VPN to access foreign sites? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal tells you all about the best VPN and how to install it.
Reopening of bars and nightclubs in Portugal, but closing at 8 p.m. and without a dance floor
Since March and the start of the coronavirus epidemic, bars and nightclubs in Portugal have been closed. However, they should be able to reopen very soon: this is what the Publico newspaper reports. The rules applied will be the same as those applied to tea rooms: closing at 8 p.m. and of course no dance floor. The night sector will have to adapt. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the reopening of bars and nightclubs in Portugal.
Lisbon: A new metro line will connect Oeiras and Sacavém for 490 million euros
Lisbon will see its public transport network disrupted in a few years, if the work is completed. This Wednesday, July 29th, the 3 cities of Lisbon, Oeiras and Sacavém, made a joint declaration to announce this new aerial metro project to link Cruz Quebrada with Alcantara and Santa Apolonia with Sacavém. The existing tram line 15 should be used between Alcantara and Santa Apolonia. No date for completion of the project has been announced. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the new skytrain line that will link Algès and Sacavem for 490 million euros.
Madeira imposes mandatory masks even outdoors despite no deaths since the start of the pandemic
Madeira is the first Portuguese region to make it compulsory to wear a mask, even outdoors and even when safety distances can be respected. From next Saturday, August 1st, it will be compulsory to wear a mask in all public spaces of Madeira and even in the streets. The decision of the regional government of Madeira was announced this afternoon and is part of a package of new measures that will be implemented in the archipelago in order to fight against the covid-19 pandemic, which has yet no deaths from the start. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the mandatory mask wearing even outdoors and with social distancing in Madeira.