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Culture & Tradition, Tips
Marc Martin - Portugal
9 Things to Consider Before Buying Property in ...

Buying property in Portugal can be an exciting investment, but it’s essential to approach it with careful planning and awareness of the local market. From legal requirements to hidden costs, here are five key things to consider before buying property in Portugal. I’m Lisbob, the expat’s assistant, here to guide you through what to know so you can make an informed decision!

9 Things to Consider Before Buying Property in Portugal
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
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Coronavirus: Portugal goes into a state of calamity

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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.

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Collapse of the ceiling of the Lisbon metro on the blue line: 4 injured, the line closed for 2 days

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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.

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List of speed radar controls in Portugal in September 2020

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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 !

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Rent freeze in 2021 in Portugal due to deflation

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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.

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Portugal again excluded from the British air corridor, terrible news for tourism

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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.

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All the details of the "contingency plan" in Portugal from September 15th

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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.

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Portugal will lower the VAT on electricity to 13%

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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.

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New Portuguese school: no break, take-away canteen and disinfection by the pupils themselves

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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.

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How to receive more than 1,000 € at the end of your employment contract in Portugal (what companies are hiding from you)

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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

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".

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List of speed radar controls in Portugal in August 2020

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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 ?

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.

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Reopening of bars and nightclubs in Portugal, but closing at 8 p.m. and without a dance floor

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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.

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Lisbon: A new metro line will connect Oeiras and Sacavém for 490 million euros

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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.

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Madeira imposes mandatory masks even outdoors despite no deaths since the start of the pandemic

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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.

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15-day extension of the state of calamity for 19 municipalities in Greater Lisbon, Portugal still at 3 different levels

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15-day extension of the state of calamity for 19 municipalities in Greater Lisbon, Portugal still at 3 different levels

As of July 1st, 19 municipalities in the Lisbon region are affected by the state of calamity which imposes stricter rules than in the whole country. The Portuguese government decided on Monday to extend the state of calamity by 15 days in all 19 parishes, and the rest of the Lisbon metropolitan area remains under contingency. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about extending the state of calamity for 19 municipalities in Greater Lisbon and Portugal, still at 3 different levels.

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Dolphins back in Lisbon

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Dolphins back in Lisbon

Lockdown also had positive effects. Thanks to the improvement of the Tagus waters as well as the reduction of noise pollution, dolphins have made a massive return to Lisbon Bay. Even if it is not an extremely rare event in itself, the frequency of the last visits (almost daily) as well as the number of dolphins goes out of the usual. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the return of these special visitors: dolphins in Lisbon.

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Top 5 beaches with the hottest waters in Portugal

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Top 5 beaches with the hottest waters in Portugal

When we dive for the first time in the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal, it is often a surprise that awaits us. In fact, the waters of Portugal's coasts are rather cold compared to those of the Mediterranean Sea. A period of mental and physical preparation is necessary to enjoy a swim in the waters of the beaches of Portugal. However, there are some places where the temperature of the water is warmer and warmer. Where are the beach with warm water in Portugal ? Lisbob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, in partnership with Mysexybackpack ,has gathered for you the top 5 beaches with warm waters so you can enjoy the Atlantic Ocean without freezing.


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List of speed radar controls in Portugal in July 2020

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List of speed radar controls in Portugal in July 2020

Here is the list of speed radar controls in Portugal for the month of July 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 July 2020. Let’s go !

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Portugal out of British "tourist" corridor, Spain in

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Portugal out of British "tourist" corridor, Spain in

Boris Johnson has announced today the list of the countries that will be exempted a quarantine starting from 10th July. This list includes France, Italy and Spain, but excludes mainland Portugal. Madeira and Açores are in the “safe” list and will not have mandatory quarantine. This is a very bad news for Portuguese tourism and especially in the Algarve, where a lot of British tourists come every summer. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you everything about the Portugal out from the tourist corridor, and Spain in.