When it's time to make the decision to come to live and work in Portugal, topics such as real wages and purchasing power come back regularly. Calculating net take-home pay in Portugal is a different exercise than in other countries and it is important to know it in advance in order to live serenely. If you are planning to come to work in Portugal then this article is for you. What is the average salary in Lisbon and other cities? How to calculate the net salary from gross in Portugal? Bob, the Expats Personal Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal tells you everything.
Do I have to pay the ISV tax to legalize my vehicle in Portugal?
If you decide to come to live in Portugal then you will probably ask the question of the registration of your foreign vehicle. Portugal protects its domestic market and imposes very high import taxes : some expats have to pay of up to 5 digits. In some cases you can apply to be exempt from tax but these are not clear according to the sources. Some people say 6 months, some people say 12 months, some people are talking about old cars or brand new one : let Lisbob analyse the situation. Do I have to pay the ISV tax to legalize my foreign vehicle in Portugal ? Lisbob, the Expats Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal has created a free tool to check if you can benefit from the ISV tax exemption.
Summer weather in Portugal : July is the coolest for 30 years, the rest of the summer does not look better
For both tourists and expats, it will have been clear to anyone that this year's 2018 weather in Portugal is far from the best we've seen. A very wet and long winter, a non-existent spring, and now a shy summer. The figures confirm this impression of bad weather: the month of July 2018 is the coolest in 30 years. The reason ? A bad positioning of the Azores anticyclone that brings less warm air than usual. Will the weather improve in the coming days and weeks? Will temperatures finally climb this year? Bob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about this cool and shy summer.
Freelance : all the new rules on your rights and duties as a self-employed person in Portugal
Work as a freelancer in Portugal can be quite complicated specially when you don't speak Portuguese. Hopefully Bob is here to explain to you the new rules if you are a self-employed person in Portugal. The Portuguese Government has decided to modify the social protection rules in case of sickness, unemployment and parenthood for all self-employed in Portugal as from 1 July 2018. Indeed, a decree has been promulgated and it changes the rules for people working as a freelancer in Portugal. Disability, unemployment, parenthood, many points are changed regarding the rights and duties of freelancers in Portugal. What are the new rules for people working as freelancers in Portugal ? Which deadlines are modified ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the changes to the rights and duties of freelancer in Portugal.
Lisbon is renting 36 accommodations from T0 to T3 starting from 124 €
The Lisbon City Council has just opened the applications to be able to rent low-rent housing from € 124. Good news for those who cannot find affordable rental housing in Lisbon and are already thinking about fleeing to the suburbs. Do not pack your bags now because the Lisbon City Council has just opened applications for 36 low-rent housing units since Monday, July 2, 2018. What is the price of these homes ? How to be a candidate ? Which areas are concerned ? Bob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about low-rent housing in Lisbon.
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.
A shark over 400 kg and 3 meters long caught in Sesimbra to be eaten
Even if few people know sharks are among the species present on the Portuguese coast. The evidence again yesterday with this shark that measured more than three meters and was caught off Sesimbra. This anequim shark, the fastest of all shark species in the world, is also one of the most vulnerable species. Why was he sinned? Is it rare to see sharks in Portugal? A remake of the teeth of the sea in Portugal is it possible? Bob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the shark-shark fishing off Sesimbra.
Increase of the minimum wage in Portugal : the Portuguese Employers’ Union promises a "surprise" and an amount greater than 600 euros in 2019
In Portugal good surprises sometimes come from the bosses. The minimum wage is € 580 gross in 2018 in Portugal and this amount has seen several increases in recent years. At each discussion of the Portuguese State Budget, the workers 'and employers' unions negotiate and defend their interests and defend their work. But this year the CIP, the equivalent of the Employers’ Union in Portugal, could create a surprise by proposing an increase in the minimum wage beyond the expectations of all unions. Indeed, the boss of the CIP said that we should expect a surprise concerning the increase of the Portuguese minimum wage. What are these statements of the Portuguese Employers’ Union ? What is the proposed amount ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about raising the minimum wage in Portugal.
Portugal officially legalizes cannabis for medicinal purposes from 1 July
The Portuguese Parliament today approved the legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes from 1 July this year. The bill has been finally validated in the Portuguese Parliament. This project is the result of consultations between Bloco de Esquerda, PAN and with the help of the Portuguese Socialist Party. Self-cultivation is forbidden for her. Is it legal to smoke weed in Portugal ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about the legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Portugal launches a Cartão de Cidadão for expats living in Portugal as part of the Simplex + 2018
The Portuguese government will launch, as part of the Simplex + 2018, a new "card of citizenship" (cartão de cidadão) for foreigners residing in Portugal, which will include tax identification, social security and the national health system. A small revolution is preparing for expatriates living in Portugal. Until now as a foreigner it was necessary to report to the different administrations (Finanças, Segurança social and SNS) in order to register, the services not communicating with each other. It will now be a thing of the past as expatriates will now be able to apply for a cartão de cidadão specifically for foreigners living in Portugal. What are the characteristics of this citizenship card for foreigners ? Where will it be possible to register for it ? How to get Cart de Cidadão for expats ? Lisbob, the expatriate assistor in Portugal, tells you all about the new cartão de cidadão for expatriates living in Portugal.
Google opens a new development center in Portugal : 1,000 jobs to be filled
Portugal is known to attract major global groups in the field of new technologies and it is not uncommon to hear about the European Silicon Valley. The trend is confirmed even more today with the announcement made Wednesday, June 13 by Kent Walker, vice president of Google for international development. Indeed this year Portugal will host a training center and development of the operating system of Google Android with 1,000 positions to the key. When is planned the opening of this Google center in Portugal? Where will it be located? Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about the opening of the Google Development Center and its 1,000 vacancies.
Sinking in Cascais with 13 people on board
A passenger boat sank on Thursday with 13 people on board early in the afternoon in the waters of Parede, municipality of Cascais. Ten people were injured in the accident of a tour boat after approaching a rocky area, said the spokesman for the National Maritime Authority. Bob, expats assistant in Portugal, tells you everything about this sinking in Cascais.
More than 29,000 new expats in Portugal in 2017 : + 33% in 2 years
You made the decision to come live in Portugal? You are not the only one. In fact last year, the SEF (Foreigners and Frontiers Service) granted more than 29,000 residence permits to nationals of European Union countries. This is the biggest increase of the last five years but this figure is not a record. The sun, the people and the nature make Portugal a privileged destination for expatriation. Bob, the Expats Assistant in Portugal tells you all about this dramatic increase.
The Botanical Garden of Lisbon reopens this Saturday after 1 year and a half of waiting
The Botanical Garden of Lisbon is one of the most beautiful in Portugal. It has been closed since 2016 to undergo extensive requalification work, approved under the participatory budget of the Lisbon City Council. The wait is over because this Saturday, April 7, the Botanical Garden of Lisbon finally reopens to the public. And, according to the Lisbon City Council, it is more durable and beautiful than ever. Bob, the Expatriate Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal, tells you everything.
How to choose between simplified and organized accounting as freelancer in Portugal
When making the decision to become a self-employed entrepreneur or freelancer in Portugal you will have to choose between two types of accounting: simplified accounting and organized accounting. Indeed in Portugal there are two ways to present your numbers to Finance and the choice of it has an importance on the amount of your profits as a self-entrepreneur at the end of the year. What are the differences between simplified accounting and organized accounting? How to make the best choice and increase profits? Bob, the Expat Assistant in Portugal tells you everything about accounting as a freelancer.
Exclusive : The City of Lisbon unveils its new monument: the Cristiano Rei
Football holds a very important place in Portuguese culture, and the country's victory at the 2016 European Football Cup will remain one of the highlights of its contemporary history. To live in Portugal is also to listen to locals talking about their god: Cristiano Ronaldo. The genius of the ball will be entitled to an homage XXL, the image of his career and his statistics. Bob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal, tells you everything.
Nature Lovers, Lisbon Municipality is offering a free compost heap to everyone
Ponte 25 de Abril: Emergency work for serious cracks known for 3 years
Researchers at the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LNEC) have warned the government for several months the extreme urgency and need for structural work on Ponte 25 de Abril. To live in Portugal is also to take the most emblematic bridge that connects the Lisbon and Setubal regions. Indeed, confidential documents have reached the Visão magazine and indicate the severity of the cracks on Portugal's most heavily used bridge. What does the report say about the urgency of works on Ponte 25 de Abril? What are the measures taken to avoid the worst? Bob, the Expatriate Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal tells you everything.
Portugal Weather: Enjoy the sun ! 5 days of storm from Monday in Portugal
Live in Portugal, 300 days of sunshine a year, a warm weather ... But not all the time. Indeed according to the IPMA (Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere) a storm episode from North Africa will affect Portugal from February 26th. It will first touch the coast and then sink into the land and affect the entire country. However the rain is good news for the groundwater of Portugal. Bob, the Expats Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal tells you everything.
Prevention of forest fires in Portugal : all the new mandatory measures
If you live in Portugal or are Portuguese tax resident you have received an email from Finanças. The Portuguese State communicates on its campaign of prevention and fight against forest fires. Last year many forest fires ravaged Portugal with many deaths. This campaign aims to prevent fires by explaining some measures now mandatory and even lead to fines of up to 60,000 euros. Bob, the Expats Personal Assistant in Lisbon and Portugal, tells you everything about Finanças' email on the fire prevention campaign and new measures.