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9 Unexpected Costs When Moving to Lisbon

9 Unexpected Costs When Moving to Lisbon

Moving to Lisbon is exciting, but the costs can quickly add up in ways you might not expect! Beyond rent and groceries, there are hidden expenses that catch many newcomers by surprise. From extra fees to lifestyle adjustments, here are 9 unexpected costs you’ll want to budget for when moving to Lisbon. I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, here to help you navigate the true costs of Lisbon life!

9 Reasons You Might Not Fit in with Lisbon Locals

9 Reasons You Might Not Fit in with Lisbon Locals

Lisbon is a vibrant, beautiful city with a unique personality all its own. But living here isn’t for everyone, and fitting in with the locals can sometimes be challenging. From cultural quirks to lifestyle differences, there are a few things that might make adjusting to life in Lisbon tricky. Before you dive into Lisbon life, here are 9 reasons you might not fit in with the locals. I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, here to help you understand the real Lisbon and see if it’s the right fit for you!

9 Reasons Why Lisbon Isn’t for Everyone

9 Reasons Why Lisbon Isn’t for Everyone

Moving to Portugal is an exciting adventure, but it comes with some hidden costs that can catch expats by surprise. From property maintenance to social security contributions, these expenses can add up quickly if you're not prepared. Today, we're uncovering the top 9 hidden costs of living in Portugal to help you plan better and avoid any unpleasant financial surprises. Ready to get the inside scoop? I’m Lisbob, your trusty expat assistant, here to guide you through it all.

How to activate notification channels and remove your NIF tax representative on Portal das Finanças

How to activate notification channels and remove your NIF tax representative on Portal das Finanças

When you obtain your NIF via Lisbob, its address is a foreign address and there is a fiscal representative. You can ask Finanças to terminate our tax representation by following these simple steps. Lisbob, the expat assistant, tells you everything you need to know to remove fiscal representation on your NIF number.

How to change the foreign address of your NIF to a Portuguese address, online

How to change the foreign address of your NIF to a Portuguese address, online

When you obtain your NIF via Lisbob, the address attached to it is a foreign address. To be considered a Portuguese tax resident, you need to change the address on your NIF to a Portuguese address. Once you have your lease or CRUE Resident Certificate, you can ask Finanças to change the address and terminate our tax representation. Lisbob, the expat assistant, tells you everything you need to know to change the foreign address of the NIF to a Portuguese address on the Finanças portal.

NHR status is back in Portugal

NHR status is back in Portugal

The rules governing NHR tax status had been extensively modified by former Prime Minister Antonio Costa, and had become virtually impossible to obtain. The new Portuguese government has announced that it wants to reintroduce this famous non-habitual resident status, but not without a few changes. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'll tell you all about the return of the NHR status programme.

Portugal launches the Visa Platinum Supreme

Portugal launches the Visa Platinum Supreme

In a spectacular reversal of migration policy worthy of an April Fool's joke, Portugal has announced that it has found a successor to the famous 'Golden Visa' programme, which was deemed too banal and insufficient. Instead, the new Portuguese government is unveiling with fanfare and fireworks (ecological, of course) its brand new programme: the Supreme Platinum Visa. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'll tell you all about this new Portuguese programme.

9 good reasons to live in Lisbon

9 good reasons to live in Lisbon

For several years the Portuguese capital has been regularly nominated among the best cities to go to live there, and it is justified. Indeed, Lisbon has exceptional assets and does not have to be ashamed of other European capitals, whether in terms of heritage, infrastructure or quality of life. Choosing which city to expatriate to is just as or more important than choosing the country, and if Portugal is your favorite destination then Lisbon will have to be on your list when making the decision. In order to motivate you and help you prepare for this project, I am Lisbob, the expats’ assistant, and I reveal to you the 9 good reasons to live in Lisbon.

NHR status finally "extended" to the end of 2024, but....

NHR status finally "extended" to the end of 2024, but....

In a sleight of hand worthy of a tax magician, Portugal's Socialist Party (PS) has launched what could be seen as a lifeline for future tax residents - but there's a catch! The regime for non-habitual residents (NHR), initially condemned to disappear in the State's draft budget for 2024, has been resurrected... but with conditions so strict that they deserve a standing ovation for their creativity. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'll tell you all about the 'extension' of non-habitual resident status in Portugal.

Antonio Costa resigns, political crisis in Portugal

Antonio Costa resigns, political crisis in Portugal

Political thunder in Portugal: Antonio Costa resigns and early elections are on the horizon. Could the end of RNH status be in doubt? I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'll tell you all about the resignation of the Portuguese Prime Minister.

Portugal announces the end of NHR status

Portugal announces the end of NHR status

It was a move that was bound to happen sooner or later! Portugal has just announced the end of Non-Habitual Resident status, which gave tax breaks to foreigners moving to the country. I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'll tell you all about the end of non-habitual resident status.

Everything about Non-Habitual Resident Status NHR in Portugal, Complete Guide 2023 : Conditions, Taxes and Evolution

Everything about Non-Habitual Resident Status NHR in Portugal, Complete Guide 2023 : Conditions, Taxes and Evolution

The resident-non-habitual NHR status is a fiscal regime that was created in 2009 by the Portuguese Government. It is a tax system that grants a 20% tax rate or a total exemption on the taxation of income of expatriates who choose to live in Portugal, for a period of 10 years. And this is not just about retirees ! In order to get the famous tax scheme, it is necessary to prepare well. In total more than 23,000 people benefited from this tax regime. Of course, certain conditions must be met in order to benefit from the non-habitual resident NHR status in Portugal, and becoming a resident is one of them. The NHR scheme is granted to both active and retired people if they meet certain criteria. What is the NHR status ? How do you qualify for NHR in Portugal ? What are the conditions to qualify for NHR status in Portugal ? What are the tax benefits of non-habitual resident status ? How to get NHR status ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the non-habitual resident NHR tax status in 2021.

How to get your Certificate of Residency CRUE (Certificado do Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia) In Portugal in 8 steps

How to get your Certificate of Residency CRUE (Certificado do Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia) In Portugal in 8 steps

Living in Portugal, it can not be improvised. There is the project, the dream, the excitement, the sun all year long, the feet in the water and the dolce vita, but there is also and above all formal steps to be taken to give you the right to stay in the country. The Certificado do Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia, more commonly known as CRUE, is one of the most important official documents to have as an expatriate in Portugal. You will be asked for many other administrative procedures and procedures. In order not to waste time and nerves, it is important to know in advance how to get your European Citizen Resident Certificate. How to get a CRUE Certificate of Residency in Portugal ? What are the documents needed to apply for a Certificado do Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia ? Lisbob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, shows you how to get your certificate of residency and finally live the life you dream of !

How to pay SCUTS and electronic tolls in Portugal and avoid fines ?

How to pay SCUTS and electronic tolls in Portugal and avoid fines ?

If you use the roads of Portugal, whether as an expatriate or a simple tourist, then you will surely have to go through automatic tolls and gantries and other SCUTS. Payment of tolls is mandatory in Portugal, whether you are a regular user or if it is the only time you use Portuguese roads and tolls. Failure to pay SCUTS in Portugal can result in heavy fines of up to several hundred euros. It is possible to opt for an automatic payment method, that is to say, be billed via your Via Verde box or the chip on your license plate. If you do not have one of these devices you can adjust them in person. How to pay SCUTS and electronic tolls in Portugal ? What are the penalties for forgetting payment of SCUTS ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the payment of SCUTS and tolls in Portuguese land.

10 good reasons to retire in Portugal

10 good reasons to retire in Portugal

Portugal is attracting more and more foreign pensioners who decide to live happy days away from their country of origin. Also, many Portuguese or Luso-descendants who return to their country to retire there. Although each decision has its own reasons, Portugal benefits from several assets that make the country a landmark destination for retirement. Cost of living, security, weather, each retiree will have his own reasons for having decided to retire in Portugal. In order to help you in your decision and remaining as objective as possible, we have listed for you the best reasons to live your retirement in Portugal. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the 10 good reasons to retire in Portugal.

Map of real estate prices in Lisbon and Porto

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.

How to make a face-to-face meeting appointment on the Finanças website

How to make a face-to-face meeting appointment on the Finanças website

In this period of pandemic, many taxpayers have wanted to go to an office of Finanças (the Portuguese tax authorities) and have been refused access. Indeed, it is now necessary to make an appointment before going to a Finanças office. This process is done online, but it is not very easy and only in Portuguese. In order not to make the trip to the tax authorities for nothing and to be sure of being received, Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, explains how to make a face-to-face meeting appointment on the Finanças website.

Three Algarve beaches with red flag after shark alert

Three Algarve beaches with red flag after shark alert

Sharks sometimes come to have fun near the Portuguese coast, and that's what obviously happened this Sunday, August 2nd. three Algarve beaches have hoisted the red flag after a shark was spotted near Tavira. The beaches on which the red flag was raised were Terra Estreita, Barril and Ilha de Tavira. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the return of sharks to the Algarve.

Top 5 Swinger clubs and libertine bars in Portugal

Top 5 Swinger clubs and libertine bars in Portugal

Portugal is a country which, behind its deeply conservative roots, is not cold-hearted, on the contrary. Indeed, Portuguese couples know and practice swapping and libertinism as in other European countries for quite some time. Even if the number of places and clubs where to engage in the practice of swapping are not numerous, they are nevertheless of quality and the libertine couples of all Portugal and elsewhere will find their happiness there. Swing Club, swinger club, libertine club, many are the names for the hot spots frequented by naughty couples in Portugal, but the goal is the same: practice swingers in a caring place and with people you trust. What are the best swingers’ clubs in Portugal? Where are the libertine bars and what are the rules? Lisbob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, tells you all about swingers and libertines clubs and bars in Portugal.

All types of companies and businesses in Portugal, individual and collective

All types of companies and businesses in Portugal, individual and collective

If you have the project to undertake in Portugal, then one of the key steps in starting a business is the legal choice of the entity to be formed. It is important to know all the types of companies that can be incorporated in Portugal, in order to choose the best option to ensure the success of your business. Indeed, even if the legal forms are similar to what can be found in other European countries, Portugal has its peculiarities which make a bad choice of status can lead to many setbacks.

You must always consider the strengths of the future company, the assets to be allocated, the type of responsibility, and the required capital investment. Last but not least, you must decide if it is an adventure that you intend to conduct alone or with other partners. What are the different legal forms for companies and businesses in Portugal? What status to take if the activity is for an individual or for a group? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything in this comprehensive guide to all legal forms of business and society, individual or collective in Portugal in 2020.

 

In this way, to help you make this decision, it follows a list of different legal forms of companies, divided into two categories - individual and collective.