Emigrating to Portugal - any advice?
Discussion
My daughter has accepted a job offer in Portugal - 2 year contract. It’s in the South somewhere and they’re putting her up in a half decent hotel for 6 weeks pending her finding somewhere to rent.
She’s taking a big salary cut to do this but reckons it’ll be a very much cheaper lifestyle and wants to give it a go.
Is there anything she should be aware of/planning for, such as:
UK bank account or Portuguese? ie Should she keep/get paid into her existing account or set up a new one?
Health Services - is the NHS European card enough or is it best to register with a local doctor and go onto their system?
Are there any other quirks or local taxes/issues that anyone has an inside track on?
Lastly any idea on how much cheaper it actually is to live there, given taxes/cost of living etc?
She’s taking a big salary cut to do this but reckons it’ll be a very much cheaper lifestyle and wants to give it a go.
Anything else to be considered?
She’s taking a big salary cut to do this but reckons it’ll be a very much cheaper lifestyle and wants to give it a go.
Is there anything she should be aware of/planning for, such as:
UK bank account or Portuguese? ie Should she keep/get paid into her existing account or set up a new one?
Health Services - is the NHS European card enough or is it best to register with a local doctor and go onto their system?
Are there any other quirks or local taxes/issues that anyone has an inside track on?
Lastly any idea on how much cheaper it actually is to live there, given taxes/cost of living etc?
She’s taking a big salary cut to do this but reckons it’ll be a very much cheaper lifestyle and wants to give it a go.
Anything else to be considered?
I have a property out there and thinking of making the move this year or next. But I won't be working.
If she is working out there she would be liable for tax there too, so might as well have a bank account. Fairly easy to do, I'm with Novo Banco and have cards and online facility.
She will need a "Fiscal" number which is like our NI number.
https://worldwidelawyers.co.uk/2015/12/23/getting-...
Im not quite sure of,the rule about working and residency, but she needs to check if she has to apply,for temporary residents permit. Her employer should be giving here advice and assistance on all this type of,stuff though!
Renting: the thing is she's not on holiday so don't look at those prices, you say down south? Algarve area? Obviously, if she can rent away from the coast it's going to be cheaper and local people do,advertise. You will need to go beforehand and look around and visit some estate agents too. FYI when. I rent my two bed modern apartment, in the centre of a large working town (Alcobaça) I got EUR 320pcm. That was for a long term tennant..
I'll think of some other stuff, but hope this ramble helps,in the meantime...
As has already been said, she will need a Fiscal number before being able to do anything else. It is a very straight forward process and I used an agent who did everything for me when I needed one. Not remotely expensive.
It might also be an idea for her to exercise her EU rights in Portugal when she moves over - 30 minutes in her Camara (local council office) will give her this document - as it may be important after we leave the EU (or it may not) but I would get one if I didn't already have one (as exercising this right may leave her in a stronger position than people who don't know about this simple option).
She will need the Fiscal number to do pretty much anything involved with money (open a bank account, work, get paid, rent/buy, utilities, etc.).
It also goes without saying that if she can't speak Portuguese she should learn to do so. It is a difficult language but if she immerses herself with Portuguese speakers and asks for help she will be given all that she will need. Almost none of the expats make the effort and the Portuguese seriously appreciate it when someone does.
I taught my daughter and she could order in restaurants (in Portuguese) when she was 4/5 years old. We (well, she) achieved star like status because of it!
It is a very friendly country, but just as with everywhere you have to be aware there going to be some unpleasant characters about. The Portuguese are extremely welcoming (you will usually always be invited back the next day!) and fantastic cooks. As for hosts, you could not ask for anything more when you are in their home/under their invite. They are equally a very proud nation (and have every right to be) and should be treated as such (Portugal is England's oldest Ally .
It is a recorded fact that no one has ever left a Portuguese gathering feeling hungry or thirsty (or sober!).
Things are not always cheaper. Housing can be (setting aside the holiday properties, of course) but utilities are more expensive there than here. Food, etc. - It is the same as anywhere and you can eat fantastic meals very cheaply in non-tourist restaurant (where you will need to understand Portuguese) at less of the price it would cost you to buy from a supermarket.
This is another reason for her immersing herself with the Portuguese (rather than gravitating towards other expats). The average wage for someone up to 30/40 years of age is €500 a month. Yet they live very rich lives as they know what the expats don't about where you can find quality/quantity/value!
Cars (obviously, it is PH!). Hideously expensive sales tax on new cars which doesn't seem to diminish regardless of age on the second hand market. If she needs one it will be expensive to buy, but as the majority of the value is this tax the deprecation should be far less than we are used to here.
I would offer some Skype Portuguese lessons, but these days I am very rusty! I can still understand the basics of different conversations going on around me and read in Portuguese, but my speech and writing is very limited. I suppose I just don't spend the time out there I used to and got rusty.
She will love it if she embraces it! I can't think of a more friendly, welcoming and wonderful country. Expats generally miss all of this as they (ironically) have no focus on the Portuguese people surrounding them.
It might also be an idea for her to exercise her EU rights in Portugal when she moves over - 30 minutes in her Camara (local council office) will give her this document - as it may be important after we leave the EU (or it may not) but I would get one if I didn't already have one (as exercising this right may leave her in a stronger position than people who don't know about this simple option).
She will need the Fiscal number to do pretty much anything involved with money (open a bank account, work, get paid, rent/buy, utilities, etc.).
It also goes without saying that if she can't speak Portuguese she should learn to do so. It is a difficult language but if she immerses herself with Portuguese speakers and asks for help she will be given all that she will need. Almost none of the expats make the effort and the Portuguese seriously appreciate it when someone does.
I taught my daughter and she could order in restaurants (in Portuguese) when she was 4/5 years old. We (well, she) achieved star like status because of it!
It is a very friendly country, but just as with everywhere you have to be aware there going to be some unpleasant characters about. The Portuguese are extremely welcoming (you will usually always be invited back the next day!) and fantastic cooks. As for hosts, you could not ask for anything more when you are in their home/under their invite. They are equally a very proud nation (and have every right to be) and should be treated as such (Portugal is England's oldest Ally .
It is a recorded fact that no one has ever left a Portuguese gathering feeling hungry or thirsty (or sober!).
Things are not always cheaper. Housing can be (setting aside the holiday properties, of course) but utilities are more expensive there than here. Food, etc. - It is the same as anywhere and you can eat fantastic meals very cheaply in non-tourist restaurant (where you will need to understand Portuguese) at less of the price it would cost you to buy from a supermarket.
This is another reason for her immersing herself with the Portuguese (rather than gravitating towards other expats). The average wage for someone up to 30/40 years of age is €500 a month. Yet they live very rich lives as they know what the expats don't about where you can find quality/quantity/value!
Cars (obviously, it is PH!). Hideously expensive sales tax on new cars which doesn't seem to diminish regardless of age on the second hand market. If she needs one it will be expensive to buy, but as the majority of the value is this tax the deprecation should be far less than we are used to here.
I would offer some Skype Portuguese lessons, but these days I am very rusty! I can still understand the basics of different conversations going on around me and read in Portuguese, but my speech and writing is very limited. I suppose I just don't spend the time out there I used to and got rusty.
She will love it if she embraces it! I can't think of a more friendly, welcoming and wonderful country. Expats generally miss all of this as they (ironically) have no focus on the Portuguese people surrounding them.
ironically my brother in law left 20 yrs ago to work here (no work there, even as a trained electrician)
ditto his parents also left 20 years ago, to move to belfast, to do mundane factory work- but better still than there, eg wages, quality of life et al.
Oh and his sister, their dtr has now come over too, again for work.
they go back of course each summer to the family home, but they give me the impression its a very poor country.
ditto his parents also left 20 years ago, to move to belfast, to do mundane factory work- but better still than there, eg wages, quality of life et al.
Oh and his sister, their dtr has now come over too, again for work.
they go back of course each summer to the family home, but they give me the impression its a very poor country.
sc0tt said:
If she has kids find a good baby sitter.
http://www.chesterbugle.co.uk/2018/01/03/mccanns-o...
Perhaps this lot are willing to go international?
Further to my earlier post and useful stuff JulianPH said:
Yes cars are expensive compared to here because of the initial import tax when new. Think of your average euro box, like a polo or golf and add two or three grand if new, but they do retain higher values because of this. I've been looking at VW das welt auto PT for when I get out there.
Driving license: if she intends to use it, even if it has the Euro flag on it, I believe it needs to be registered and or replace for a PT one (Julian ph, anything on this?) or can result it fines etc., if she's living and working there.
Language. Yep tricky, I'm trying some one line and book bits, but not my strong point. I will persevere though. Also the google translate app for smart phone is pretty mad, it's totally visual, switch it on and point it at something with the camera and in translates magically before your eyes, even in the same font! Bonkers.
I don't know what her employer is doing to help, but if not much, it it worth speaking to or visiting the UK embassy / consulate in London (depends where you are based) to assist with things? Probably need to make an appointment.
Renting, when looking find out what the rent includes, probably not utilities, but there's also property tax called IMI which is semi annual march and November. Is that included, or does the owner pay it?
Yes cars are expensive compared to here because of the initial import tax when new. Think of your average euro box, like a polo or golf and add two or three grand if new, but they do retain higher values because of this. I've been looking at VW das welt auto PT for when I get out there.
Driving license: if she intends to use it, even if it has the Euro flag on it, I believe it needs to be registered and or replace for a PT one (Julian ph, anything on this?) or can result it fines etc., if she's living and working there.
Language. Yep tricky, I'm trying some one line and book bits, but not my strong point. I will persevere though. Also the google translate app for smart phone is pretty mad, it's totally visual, switch it on and point it at something with the camera and in translates magically before your eyes, even in the same font! Bonkers.
I don't know what her employer is doing to help, but if not much, it it worth speaking to or visiting the UK embassy / consulate in London (depends where you are based) to assist with things? Probably need to make an appointment.
Renting, when looking find out what the rent includes, probably not utilities, but there's also property tax called IMI which is semi annual march and November. Is that included, or does the owner pay it?
I live on the south coast.
Living expenses are hugely dependant on location.
You can rent a 2 bedroom house with a garden for 400 euros a month if you're willing to be 30 mins drive from vilamoura/albufeira. If you need to be in Val do lobo, Almancil etc you could easily spend twice that on an apartment.
Its a simple process (for now) for Brits to come here to work.
If you have any questions feel free to ask
Living expenses are hugely dependant on location.
You can rent a 2 bedroom house with a garden for 400 euros a month if you're willing to be 30 mins drive from vilamoura/albufeira. If you need to be in Val do lobo, Almancil etc you could easily spend twice that on an apartment.
Its a simple process (for now) for Brits to come here to work.
If you have any questions feel free to ask
Can she speak the Language? Depending on where she is (i.e. not a tourist trap) a lot of people will not speak English (I won't say what I have been told by Portuguese about this!).... But it is quite an easy language to learn, the difficulty is correctly pronouncing the words, but they will happily teach you when you are wrong...
What is her company doing to assist? If her contract isn't changing, then that will affect whether she gets paid in GBP or Eur.. Is her contract rate in Eur? Because she will surely want to avoid exchange rate issues? It is however quite easy to transfer money to Portugal and you can use cards which you can top up...
Food is cheaper and if you use a local supermarket quite often (IME in the larger towns) the younger people operating the tills will entertain themselves by telling you the price in Portuguese and English. Don't eat Bacalhau... But if she wants to feed the local strays chicken in the supermarket is great - feet, heart etc all in the packet.. I am afraid many areas have a lot of stray dogs/cats and quite a lot seem to get run over, it is upsetting.
I use my UK license quite happily, even using a car on UK plates the Police are not bothered IME. However when you pay tolls on the roads it is a PITA, she really will want to get a LHD car just for that. Oh, and the tolls add up too when travelling a fair distance.
What is her company doing to assist? If her contract isn't changing, then that will affect whether she gets paid in GBP or Eur.. Is her contract rate in Eur? Because she will surely want to avoid exchange rate issues? It is however quite easy to transfer money to Portugal and you can use cards which you can top up...
Food is cheaper and if you use a local supermarket quite often (IME in the larger towns) the younger people operating the tills will entertain themselves by telling you the price in Portuguese and English. Don't eat Bacalhau... But if she wants to feed the local strays chicken in the supermarket is great - feet, heart etc all in the packet.. I am afraid many areas have a lot of stray dogs/cats and quite a lot seem to get run over, it is upsetting.
I use my UK license quite happily, even using a car on UK plates the Police are not bothered IME. However when you pay tolls on the roads it is a PITA, she really will want to get a LHD car just for that. Oh, and the tolls add up too when travelling a fair distance.
FN2TypeR said:
http://www.chesterbugle.co.uk/2018/01/03/mccanns-o...
Perhaps this lot are willing to go international?
Under EU rules you can maintain your "home country" EU licence until 70 regardless of country of residence. You can like for like it at any time if you so please. For this to apply you must have an EU licence from scratch though, you cant exchange a non EU licence and the relocate. IYSWIM.
This only applies to cars / motor cycles too. PSV and LGV rules are different (register with DVSA within 12 months and then other rules apply).
Registering vehicles is generally covered by the 6 month rule which is if your vehicle spends 6 months in any 12 month period it must then be registered in that country.
This only applies to cars / motor cycles too. PSV and LGV rules are different (register with DVSA within 12 months and then other rules apply).
Registering vehicles is generally covered by the 6 month rule which is if your vehicle spends 6 months in any 12 month period it must then be registered in that country.
Jasandjules said:
Don't eat Bacalhau... .
Are you mad? Its great!Never liked it as a child though.
As for language, not easy at all and I’m half Portuguese. I’ve even spent a month doing it at CIAL in Lisbon, hard work. I also use Duolingo even though it is modelled towards Brazilian but it is a very good App and I practice every day without fail.
dingg said:
languagetim
you have a pm/email
Maybe...never been used n not sure how it works on PH But if you're looking for expert advice on portugal, I'm just fumbling my way through the pitfalls n red tape like the OP! Bought my property about eight years ago and if/when I move there I'm gonna find a lot more.you have a pm/email
Happy to help if I can....
Oilchange said:
Are you mad? Its great!
Never liked it as a child though.
As for language, not easy at all and I’m half Portuguese. I’ve even spent a month doing it at CIAL in Lisbon, hard work. I also use Duolingo even though it is modelled towards Brazilian but it is a very good App and I practice every day without fail.
I had it with Portuguese friends we spent a Christmas and New Year with, it was very nice!Never liked it as a child though.
As for language, not easy at all and I’m half Portuguese. I’ve even spent a month doing it at CIAL in Lisbon, hard work. I also use Duolingo even though it is modelled towards Brazilian but it is a very good App and I practice every day without fail.
I agree with you on the language being difficult. My wife speaks English, Russian, German, Polish and Turkish but gave up after a month in a Portuguese language school when we were there for a few months, saying it was just too difficult!
What is it with the masculine and feminine, they all seem to be the wrong way round? A bra is masculine and boxer shorts feminine (examples of what I was taught)??? I just guessed the wrong way and was usually right!
Tonberry said:
Living costs here have risen considerably over the past 3 years. Depending on where she will be located in the South - it may well take a while to find suitable rental property at the right price.
Other than that, pretty much as everyone else has said.
I completely agree with this. Where is she going to be living (obviously name the town, rather than the street!). You sais southern Portugal, so that suggest the Algarve. This is a big area with the East being much more affordable the the West (which is more affordable than central Algarve).Other than that, pretty much as everyone else has said.
I was in Almancil (so central) and you have very high priced areas (Quinta do Lago and Vale do lobo) and lower prices as you move each km away from the sea. Nothing there is what you could call low cost though.
Obviously she won't be living in either of these two places, but Almancil itself has good and not so good areas (though nothing as bad as London!)
I have friends there if you would like someone looking after he (by which I mean keeping an eye on things)r. If it is somewhere else then others here will be able to offer much more than I can.
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