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Tips, Studies
Marc Martin - Portugal
Portuguese school calendar 2024-2025: back to ...

It's time to prepare your agenda and plan your next holidays. At the beginning of the new year, you can now find out what are the mandatory public and national holidays in Portugal in 2020. The Portuguese legislation is very clear about national and public holidays and information on this subject is included in the Labor Code, more specifically in Article 234. It lists the days that are officially considered as mandatory national and public holidays and therefore must be respected as days of rest each year. You will have the possibility of planning long week-ends, extended holidays or simply public holidays. Lisbob will guide you through the 2020 calendar and you will find out what it has for you in terms of mandatory public and national holidays. What are the national and public holidays in Portugal in 2020 ? When can I plan my holidays ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal tells you everything about the calendar of public and national holidays in 2020 in Portugal.

Portuguese school calendar 2024-2025: back to school, dates and holidays
Tips, Real Estate
Marc Martin - Portugal
How to sign up for an electricity and gas ...

Moving into your new Portuguese home is even better when you have electricity and gas. There are several energy suppliers in Portugal, and it is now possible to sign up directly online. However, it's not easy to find your way around, and there are a number of pitfalls to avoid when signing up. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'm going to show you how to sign up for an energy supplier in Portugal online.

How to sign up for an electricity and gas contract online in Portugal
Tips, Retire, Visa
Marc Martin - Portugal
How to secure your Portugal D7 Visa in 2024: an ...

Exploring the serene landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and welcoming communities of Portugal is a dream for many. If you're from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, the Portugal D7 Visa, also known as the Passive Income Visa, offers an excellent pathway to enjoying life in this charming country. This detailed guide provides everything you need to know about securing your D7 Visa, from eligibility to benefits and beyond. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'm going to tell you how to secure your Portugal D7 Visa.

How to secure your Portugal D7 Visa in 2024: an exhaustive guide
Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 things I wish I knew before moving to Portugal

Olá, future expats! I’m Lisbob, your go-to assistant for all things related to moving and living in Portugal. While this beautiful country has much to offer, it's important to have a balanced view and understand the challenges you might face. In the spirit of honesty and transparency, I’ve compiled a list of the top 9 things I wish I knew before making the big move. This guide will help you make an informed decision and ensure you’re fully prepared for your new adventure in Portugal. Let’s dive in and explore the less glamorous, but equally important, aspects of living in Portugal.

9 things I wish I knew before moving to Portugal
Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 good reasons to NOT move to Portugal

As Lisbob, the assistant for expats, my mission is to provide honest and transparent advice to help you make informed decisions about living in Portugal. While this beautiful country offers many advantages, it's important to also consider the potential challenges you may face. By presenting both the positives and negatives, I aim to build trust and help you prepare for a smooth transition. Here are nine good reasons why moving to Portugal might not be the right choice for everyone.

9 good reasons to NOT move to Portugal

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Portuguese tax authorities ordered to reimburse full ISV tax for the first time

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Portuguese tax authorities ordered to reimburse full ISV tax for the first time

Between Portugal and the ISV tax, it's a great love story. This tax (impostor sobre veiculos) concerns vehicles imported from abroad, and often represents an unpleasant surprise for expatriates who come to settle in Portugal. Being able to easily reach several thousand euros, this tax is disputed by taxpayers but also by Europe. For the first time, the Portuguese tax authorities were ordered to reimburse the full ISV tax collected for a used car imported from Germany. 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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ISV tax : Portuguese tax authorities once again lose a constitutional court case

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ISV tax : Portuguese tax authorities once again lose a constitutional court case

Portugal is keen on its ISV tax and will not give up, despite the setbacks that are accumulating. After losing the case before the Arbitral Tribunal, where the Portuguese tax authorities have already been ordered to reimburse the ISV tax on four occasions, the Portuguese tax and customs administration (TA) suffered another setback, this time before the Constitutional Court. Indeed, it was felt that with the decision of the Arbitral Tribunal, there was no question of a violation of a constitutional rule. However, the Court nevertheless invited the Portuguese tax authorities to reformulate their request, but the latter ended up presenting no new arguments and the appeal was considered to have been abandoned. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this new defeat of the Portuguese fiscal authorities regarding the ISV tax.

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Brussels takes Portugal to court over ISV tax on imported vehicles

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Brussels takes Portugal to court over ISV tax on imported vehicles

Brussels decides to carry out its threats is attacks Portugal in justice. The European Commission has brought an action against Portugal before the Court of Justice of the EU for the fact that used vehicles imported from other Member States continue to be subject to higher taxes than those applied used cars acquired on the Portuguese market. Brussels had given an ultimatum to Lisbon to change its legislation on the ISV tax but it did not do so, arguing that the calculation of the tax was thus done to fight against climate change. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this legal battle between Brussels and Lisbon over the ISV tax.

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Record year for tax revenue in Portugal : € 46 billion in 2019, + 3.8%

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Record year for tax revenue in Portugal : € 46 billion in 2019, + 3.8%

You might be wondering why Portugal is so keen on its ISV tax ? Why does it apply a high IUC tax compared to other European countries ? Finally, why is gasoline so expensive in Portugal ? Taxes of course ! You will have some answers with the latest figures from the Portuguese tax authorities concerning the revenue for the year 2019 and the figures are quite good because Portugal harvested 1.68 billion more than in 2018. Revenues from the automotive sector and oil are notably up sharply. The Portuguese State thus collected 46 billion euros in tax in 2019 in total, a figure growing by 3.8% compared to 2018. In detail some taxes see their collection drop like the ISV, while the IUC breaks records. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about tax revennue in Portugal.

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Portugual again condemned to reimburse ISV tax for imported vehicle : Lisbon challenges Brussels

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Portugual again condemned to reimburse ISV tax for imported vehicle : Lisbon challenges Brussels

Never 2 without 3. The Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority (AT) was again ordered to refund part of the tax on imported vehicles (ISV) it had collected for a used car from the foreign. This decision dates from last week but Portugal is doing everything to remain discreet, as the question of the ISV could open a Pandora's box. It is indeed the third unfavorable conviction in a row from the Portuguese State, which does not comply with judicial decisions and tries to win the dispute before the Constitutional Court. Despite Europe's admonitions, Portugal decides to continue its momentum. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the Portuguese government’s new defeat over the ISV.

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How to get refund of the overpaid IUC tax for a car imported into Portugal ?

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How to get refund of the overpaid IUC tax for a car imported into Portugal ?

The Portuguese tax authorities are preparing the automatic refund of the IUC of certain imported vehicles. Following the court ruling on the irregularity of the calculation of the IUC for cars dating before 2007 and imported into Portugal thereafter, the Portuguese fiscc opens a refund of the overpayment which potentially concerns 130,000 taxpayers. How to recover the IUC ? How do you know if you are affected by the reimbursement of this tax ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the reimbursement of the IUC.

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Portuguese tax authorities decide to reimburse four years of IUC tax for certain imported cars

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Portuguese tax authorities decide to reimburse four years of IUC tax for certain imported cars

Portuguese tax authorities have decided to review the way they have calculated the single circulation tax (IUC) levied on used cars imported from the European Union so far, without taking into account that they already had first registration in another country. Basically, when the car arrived in Portugal, it was treated as if it were registered for the first time, regardless of its actual age for tax purposes. However, the Portuguese tax authorities now recognize that this method of calculation was illegal and, moreover, that the owners of vehicles in these cases have the right to recover the tax collected in excess during the last four years, provided that the law authorizes the revision of a tax law.

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Portugal ignores Brussels ultimatum by not changing ISV tax on imported cars and even chooses to raise it

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Portugal ignores Brussels ultimatum by not changing ISV tax on imported cars and even chooses to raise it

It seems that Portugal is looking for a confrontation with Brussels over the ISV tax. Indeed, while the European Commission has imposed an ultimatum on Portugal to modify the calculation of the ISV tax, Lisbon has decided to turn a deaf ear to threats and will keep the ISV tax as it is. Worse, the Portuguese State Budget indicates an aggravation of the tax for the year 2020. Neither the defeats of the Portuguese taxman in the courts nor the threat of Brussels have changed the opinion of the economy ministry of Mário Centeno. What are the consequences of this Lisbon decision? How will Brussels react? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this increasingly open conflict between Lisbon and Brussels.

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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.