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Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
Expat vs. Migrant: What’s the Difference and ...

As someone who works closely with individuals moving to new countries, I often hear the terms expat and migrant used interchangeably. But are they really the same? Words matter, and choosing the right one can shape how we understand and discuss the experience of moving across borders. Let’s explore the distinctions between these terms, why I choose to use “expat,” and what it really means to live in a country that’s not your own.

Expat vs. Migrant: What’s the Difference and Which Term Should You Use?
Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Things You Should Never Say to a Portuguese ...

Portugal is a welcoming and friendly country, but like anywhere, there are cultural sensitivities that it’s good to be aware of! Certain topics and phrases can be touchy, and it’s best to approach them with caution. Here are 9 things you should avoid saying to a Portuguese person if you want to keep the conversation friendly and respectful. I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, here to help you navigate Portuguese culture with ease!

9 Things You Should Never Say to a Portuguese Person
Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Things Expats Miss Most About Home After ...

Moving to Portugal is an incredible adventure, filled with new experiences, beautiful scenery, and a relaxed lifestyle. But even with all the perks, there are certain things expats often find themselves missing from home. From familiar foods to cultural traditions, here are 9 things expats commonly miss most after moving to Portugal. I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, here to help you navigate the highs and lows of expat life!

9 Things Expats Miss Most About Home After Moving to Portugal
Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Big Differences Between Northern and Southern ...

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 Big Differences Between Northern and Southern Portugal
Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Times Portuguese Bureaucracy Will Surprise You

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!

9 Times Portuguese Bureaucracy Will Surprise You

Real estate Portugal

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Map of real estate prices in Lisbon and Porto

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Map of real estate prices in Lisbon and Porto

Real estate prices in Portugal continue to rise and Lisbon continues to grow, as does Porto. In the third quarter of last year, the average value of homes sold in Portugal increased by 7% compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching an average of 1,054 euros per square meter. Since the crisis that hit Portugal hard, real estate prices continue to break records and some even speak of speculative bubbles about to explode. According to figures published by the INE (Instituto Nacional de Estatística), some districts have seen an increase of almost 40%, but some areas have seen their prices drop, especially in Lisbon! What is the price of real estate in Portugal? What are the cheapest areas to buy a house? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, gives you this map of property prices in Lisbon and Porto.

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Real Estate : All taxes when buying a house or property in Portugal

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Real Estate : All taxes when buying a house or property in Portugal

When you decide to move abroad and buy a house or other property in Portugal, it is essential to weigh all the costs associated with it. In addition to notary fees and administrative costs, you should pay particular attention to taxes on the purchase of goods. Indeed, Portugal is famous for its “hidden” taxes that everyone should take seriously before to decide to buy a house. While putting aside the financial weight of a home loan, it is true that all the other costs associated with buying a home in Portugal mean that the total amount of the purchase of the property becomes much higher. The first step will be to find financing tailored to your needs and your payment capabilities. What are the taxes when buying a house in Portugal ? What taxes to pay when you buy a property ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about real estate taxes in Portugal.

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Capital gains in Portugal : Everything you need to know about taxes when selling your real estate

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Capital gains in Portugal : Everything you need to know about taxes when selling your real estate

In Portugal, capital gains from real estate assets correspond to the profit obtained from the sale of a house. They consist of the difference between the price at which someone bought a property and the price to which this same property has been sold. If there is a loss instead of profit, then there is no tax. In Portugal, the sale of real estate can sometimes have unpleasant surprises. Real estate gains are heavily taxed, and their calculation is important to take into account before any final decision. Selling your house in Portugal is not easy. Whether buying or selling property in Portugal, taxes are as usual. How to calculate the capital gain on real estate assets in Portugal ? How to calculate the taxes on the capital gain in Portugal ? How to benefit from a tax exemption for the resale of your property in Portugal ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the capital gains of real estate assets and taxes related to the sale of house in Portugal.

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Lisbon pays 3 years' rent in advance to landlords who join the "Renda Segura" program

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Lisbon pays 3 years' rent in advance to landlords who join the "Renda Segura" program

Lisbon property prices have been a recurring problem for those who wish to find accommodation there for several years. On the other hand, many owners are asking their tenant for concrete guarantees in order to cover themselves in the event of default. The Lisbon city council wishes to reconcile the two with its “Renda Segura” program: a rental housing program accessible for tenants, and a payment guarantee for owners. Some may even ask to receive 3 years' rent in advance. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this “Renda Segura” program in Lisbon.

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60% of Portuguese real estate agencies predict a fall in prices

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60% of Portuguese real estate agencies predict a fall in prices

Real estate prices continued to rise in Portugal late last year to record highs, but the coronavirus epidemic may well be a game-changer. At least that is what most real estate agencies think, according to a study by the Imovirtual site which interviewed hundreds of professionals in the sector. The expected drop is 25%, but some believe that prices will simply stabilize. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this investigation which does not bode well for Portuguese real estate.

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Interactive map of real estate prices in Portugal, district by district

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Interactive map of real estate prices in Portugal, district by district

Real estate prices in Portugal continued to rise in Portugal late last year. This is shown by data compiled by the Portuguese National Institute of Statistics (INE), which analyzed real estate transactions. Across the country, prices rose 8.5% in the last quarter of 2019, but the differences between cities are significant. The INE provides an interactive map that allows you to find out the price of real estate in each district and these in several cities in Portugal. The coronavirus is likely to stagnate or see prices fall, and this study corresponds to the pre-pandemic. What is the price of real estate in Portugal? What are the cheapest areas to buy a house? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, gives you this interactive map of property prices in major Portuguese cities.

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How to benefit from the moratorium on real estate loans in Portugal?

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How to benefit from the moratorium on real estate loans in Portugal?

In order to mitigate the economic effects of the crisis linked to the coronavirus pandemic, Portugal has put in place mechanisms which in particular allow individuals to benefit from a moratorium on mortgage loans. Individuals must, electronically or physically, send the lending institution a declaration of adherence to the application of the moratorium signed by the borrower and accompanied by documentation proving the regularity of the tax situation of the person making the request. The decree-law of March 27, published within the framework of the COVID-19 disease pandemic, establishes exceptional measures for the protection of households for the credit for clean and permanent housing, measures which will be in effect until 30 September 2020. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything to benefit from the moratorium on mortgage loans.

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End of Golden Visas : Chinese and Brazilians are already cancelling their real estate purchases in Portugal

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End of Golden Visas : Chinese and Brazilians are already cancelling their real estate purchases in Portugal

The Portuguese real estate sector is sounding the alarm ! The limitation of the allocation of golden visas only to those who buy real estate in the interior regions has already led to the cancellation of many promises to buy and sell or even acts of purchase of houses in large Portuguese cities. The Portuguese Socialist Party’s proposal and the Parliament’s decision resulted in the cancellation of the contracts that were to be signed this week. The Portuguese real estate sector indicates that the end of the golden visas in Lisbon and Porto is very bad news because Chinese and Brazilians have already canceled their project. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this bad news for real estate in Lisbon and Porto.

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NHR status : Portuguese government decides to tax retirees at 10% IRS and abandons the minimum amount of 7,500 euros

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NHR status : Portuguese government decides to tax retirees at 10% IRS and abandons the minimum amount of 7,500 euros

Could this be the end of a long soap opera? In fact, the Portuguese Socialist Party has decided to go ahead with its ambition to reform the status of non-habitual resident, and this this year through the Portuguese state budget 2020. The bill indicates that future retirees benefiting from non-habitual resident status will no longer have the right to a total tax exemption and will have to pay a tax of 10% on foreign pensions. The idea of ​​applying a minimum amount of 7,500 euros was not retained. This proposal is likely to be adopted this year as the forces inciting a modification or even a cancellation of the NHR statute are strong. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the changes in NHR status.

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End of Golden Visas in Lisbon and Porto

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End of Golden Visas in Lisbon and Porto

Socialist Party decided to end the Golden Visas in Lisbon and Porto, limiting the benefit of this status to the interior regions and the autonomous regions. This is a blow to this fiscal instrument which has brought a lot of foreign investment to the big urban centers but has also helped to raise the price of real estate. Rather than completely remove this controversial status, the government of Antonio Costa has decided to limit the allocation of these golden visas to people investing in CMIs and autonomous regions in order to limit the pressure on property prices in Lisbon and Port. This decision to end the Golden Visas on the whole of Portuguese territory is not only happy, but is less worse than expected. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the Portuguese Socialist Party’s decision to end the Golden Visas in Lisbon and Porto.

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« It’s a crime against the country ! » : Changes to Golden Visas and NHR status scare off investors, explains APEMIP

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« It’s a crime against the country ! » : Changes to Golden Visas and NHR status scare off investors, explains APEMIP

Portuguese real estate sector is currently turned against the government and against the bad signals it sends to foreign investors. This is the consequence of the possible modification of the rules for awarding golden visas and NHR status. These tax incentives are under the radar of many European countries which see them as unfair competition. Today, Luis Lima, the president of APEMIP, the Association of Professionals and Real Estate Companies of Portugal, sounds the alarm and indicates that the planned changes are driving investors away. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant to Portugal, tells you all about Luis Lima’s statement.

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First drop in rental prices in Lisbon since 2016

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First drop in rental prices in Lisbon since 2016

Is something happening in the Portuguese capital real estate market ? In fact, the residential income index recorded in the third quarter of 2019 the first negative variation since the third quarter of 2016, according to data from Confidencial Imobiliário. The mad increase in rental prices in Lisbon is coming to an end, after years of increases which have caused housing difficulties for locals. Some see it as a financial bubble burst, others as a simple adjustment. This 1.4% drop is the first for several years. At the national level, the increase was 0.2%, and 2.5% for Porto. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the falling rents in the Portuguese capital.

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"Portuguese real estate market will cool down due to lack of supply in 2020" : the president of the association of professionals and real estate companies in Portugal takes stock

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"Portuguese real estate market will cool down due to lack of supply in 2020" : the president of the association of professionals and real estate companies in Portugal takes stock

After the boom, the Portuguese real estate market will cool down in 2020: the president of professionals in the real estate sector says so. He thinks it is necessary to adapt the offer to the needs of the market. Luís Lima, president of the Association of Professionals and Real Estate Companies of Portugal (APEMIP), gives this interview translated from the site dinehirovivo.pt

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Hurricane Lorenzo will hit the whole Azores archipelago with winds of more than 200 km / h

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Hurricane Lorenzo will hit the whole Azores archipelago with winds of more than 200 km / h

The archipelago of the Azores is preparing for the worst. Hurricane Lorenzo, currently category 5 is the highest on the Saffir-Simpson scale, will hit hard the Azores archipelago and especially the group of Western islands. Indeed, the latest forecasts indicate that the center of the hurricane should pass very close to the western group, affecting the entire archipelago next Wednesday. Winds will reach 180 km / h with waves up to 12 meters. What is the weather forecast for the Azores archipelago? What is the trajectory of Hurricane Lorenzo? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about Hurricane Lorenzo and its impact on the Azores archipelago.

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6,6 % drop in home sales in Portugal for the first time since 2013

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6,6 % drop in home sales in Portugal for the first time since 2013

For the first time in six years in Portugal, home sales recorded a negative trend in the second quarter of 2019 compared to the previous year. In contrast, the price index rose by 10.1% over the same period. This decline was anticipated by specialists in the Portuguese real estate sector, its magnitude is now known: 6.6% decline. These figures are available in the latest study published by the National Institute of Statistics of Portugal. Is this decline in the number of transactions accompanied by a rise in prices a reversal of trend, or a simple pause in the Portuguese real estate market? What are the official figures of Portuguese real estate? Lisbob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal tells you all about this decline in home sales in Portugal.

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Strong slowdown in real estate prices in Lisbon : is it time to sell?

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Strong slowdown in real estate prices in Lisbon : is it time to sell?

After the euphoria of recent years, the rise in property prices in Portugal is declining and stabilizing. Investment in the residential market is starting to "lose momentum" at a time when demand is weakening and showing signs of slowing down. Lack of supply continues to weigh on prices, but less than before, also because of the upward trend in supply for new construction. With this change of cycle in sight, is it time to think about selling your property in Portugal ?

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10 official and definitive stats of the real estate market in Portugal in 2018

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10 official and definitive stats of the real estate market in Portugal in 2018

The National Institute of Statistics of Portugal INE has published the official and definitive figures of the Portuguese real estate market for 2018. More and more real estate are sold and for higher and higher values. Lisbon continues to shine in the real estate market, but last year, the palm of the region with the fastest growth was the Alentejo. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), prices have risen for the last 5 consecutive years, but they are starting to show signs of slowing down. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, gathered the ten official and definitive figures of the Portuguese real estate market in 2018.

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Real estate and consumer loans in Portugal: discover the new rules

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Real estate and consumer loans in Portugal: discover the new rules

New rules on mortgages and consumer loans in Portugal were introduced as of Sunday, 2 July. As an expatriate, it is sometimes difficult to know the different rules in norm of credits house or consumer especially when one does not speak the language. If you want to buy a house in Portugal read this: The Bank of Portugal has published new rules that apply to borrowers as well as banks and they change the way you can borrow. What is the maximum debt ratio accepted? What is the maximum percentage loaned by banks to buy a house in Portugal? What is the term limit of a home loan or consumer loan? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the new rules introduced by the Bank of Portugal on consumer loans and mortgages, so that buying a house in Portugal becomes a pleasure.