In order to combat the coronavirus epidemic, the Portuguese authorities announced an extension of the state of emergency, which will be in effect between 00:00 on 9th and 11:59 p.m. on 23rd December, and which will surely be extended until at least January 7th. In addition, 113 Portuguese counties are now listed as areas with stricter rules. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the extension of the state of emergency and the rules of the 113 counties involved.
Covid-19: Find out the priority groups and the dates of the vaccination phases in Portugal
Portugal has just unveiled the approximate schedule and the different priority groups for the covid-19 vaccination campaign. The vaccine will begin to be administered in early January and in the worst-case scenario, it may take four months to vaccinate the first priority group, with nearly a million Portuguese. The logistics plan remains to be defined and will be a challenge for Portugal. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the priority groups and the dates of the vaccination phases in Portugal.
Porto voted best "small town" in the world to live in 2020
Porto is regularly cited for its quality of life and its international reputation is well established. The second largest city in Portugal has just stood out again by being classified as the best “small town” in the world to live there and according to the magazine Le Monocle. The city Invicta was 9th in 2019 and therefore shows good progress. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this new distinction for Porto.
All measures in place for Christmas and New Year's Eve in Portugal
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Cost has just unveiled the measures that will be in place during the holiday season to fight the coronavirus epidemic, and these are proving to be less stringent than in other European countries. These measures are framed by the state of emergency, which will be in effect between midnight on 9th and 11.59 p.m. on December 23rd, and which will surely be extended until at least January 7st. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the measures in place for Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Portugal.
Lisbon third best city in the world for expats
Lisbon is regularly cited for its quality of life and its international reputation is well established. The Portuguese capital has just stood out again by being ranked as the third best city in the world for expats and according to the “Expat City Ranking 2020” ranking which compared 66 cities from all over the world. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this new distinction for Lisbon.
New state of emergency measures in Portugal, 4 levels of risk and wearing a compulsory mask at work
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced on Saturday, November 21st new measures in the context of the state of emergency which has just been extended until at least December 8th. Among these measures, the ban on moving between municipalities during the two long weekends in December or the creation of 4 levels of risk with different measures and the obligation to wear a mask at work. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the new state of emergency measures in Portugal.
Clashes between owners and police against anti-covid measures in Porto
Portugal was about to start its first weekend of curfew and Porto was the scene of clashes between police officers and professionals in the restaurant, hotel and nightlife sectors, as the latter protested against the anti-covid measures put in place by the government. Throwing bottles at the police, setting fire to the coffin to symbolize their death, arrest: the clashes were not easy, a sign that anger is also brewing in Portugal. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about these clashes between police officers and restaurateurs in Porto against anti-covid measures.
Portugal toughens weekend measures and expands list of high-risk cities
In recent weeks, a real race for measures has been played out in Portugal in the face of the increase in coronavirus cases. After 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 a toughening of the measures put in place and an expansion of the towns concerned by the curfew (11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from 1 p.m. on weekends). Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about Antonio Costa's new announcements.
Shooting on Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon for the first night of the curfew
Portugal entered its first night of curfew on Monday, November 9th, and a shooting took place in downtown Lisbon, on Avenida da Liberdade. This shooting reportedly involved 2 vehicles and no injuries or damage were recorded. Traffic came to a halt on Lisbon's largest avenue, enough time for inspectors to gather evidence in order to conduct the investigation. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about this shooting on Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon on the first night of curfew.
6 reasons why Portugal could emerge stronger from the coronavirus crisis
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.
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.
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.