Dominique Rodrigues, Author at Villa Feria

How to earn money and cars with your expenses in Portugal?

Dominique Rodrigues — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:50:06 +0000

“Quer contribuinte na fatura?” You’ll soon be familiar with this question, which is systematically asked when you pay in Portugal: in restaurants, when shopping, in stores… In short, everywhere!

This question is asked to find out if you want your “numero de contribuinte ” (the famous Portuguese tax number also known as “NIF ” which I often talk about, particularly in this article) to be mentioned on your invoice/checkout slip.

This measure was introduced in 2013 by the Portuguese government to combat tax evasion and the black market. Tax benefits were introduced to encourage Portuguese consumers to request an invoice with their NIF.

1 – Why give your NIF when you spend in Portugal?

1. To benefit from a tax credit :

The main reason to give your NIF when shopping in Portugal is to benefit from tax reductions based on your spending. You can reclaim up to €250 per category of expenditure. There are different categories of expenditure in Portugal, for example “catering”, “health”, “transport”, “leisure”, “education”, “hairdresser”..

Existing expense categories

there are maximum tax refund amounts per category. Once the ceiling has been reached, you cannot claim a higher refund in the category in question. The category called “Despesas Gerais Familiares” (general family expenses) is where all “general” expenses go, so the ceiling is often reached fairly quickly, but you can easily move your purchases to other categories later on. For example, if you spend money in supermarkets, you can move them to the “Restauração” (catering) category. This will give you up to €250 in additional tax refunds.

After a whole year, the amount recovered can be substantial, and will be deducted from your tax bill. If you accumulate expenses in different categories, you can expect to earn up to €1,000. Given that taxes in Portugal are deducted at source, you may well find that the government gives you money back as a result of the spending you’ve done throughout the year. So spend! 🙂

2. Win the tax lottery:

Also, to encourage people to ask for a bill and combat the black market, the Portuguese government is holding prize draws via bill numbers . Yes, you read that right… tax lotteries! They call it “fatura da sorte” (the lucky bill). Invoices are drawn at random and the winners receive cash or cars.

The tax authorities award 1 “fatura da Sorte” ticket for every €10 spent. Example: if you spend 80€, you’ll receive 8 “fatura da Sorte” tickets.

The “fatura da Sorte” provides for 1 draw per week, called the “regular draw”, and 2 draws per half-year (between June and December) called the “extraordinary draw”. The results of the draws are published on the Portuguese tax website in the “Fatura da sorte” section.

Tax site with announcement of December 29 winner

2 – How do I know if my expenses in Portugal are properly recorded and qualify for a tax credit?

Normally this is done automatically. You give your contribinte number every time you make a purchase, and your expenses in Portugal are then recorded. But in practice, when you give your tax number (NIF) to the merchant or service provider, this does not mean that your invoice is automatically validated. It’s important to check that your invoices are registered on the tax website (Portal das finanças).

1. Check that your expenses in Portugal are registered on the Portuguese tax site:

To check that your invoices are registered, go to the Portuguese tax site www.portaldasfinanças.pt, log in and access the electronic invoicing area. To do this, you need to :

Click on “Iniciar sessao” then enter your NIF and password on Portal das Finanças,
In “Serviços Frequentes“, click on “E-faturas”,
Then “Verificar Faturas” at the bottom,

If not all your invoices are registered, you can register them yourself.

Connect to the Portuguese Finance website

2. Register your invoices on the Portuguese tax site:

Click on “Iniciar sessao”, then enter your NIF and password on Portal das Finanças,
In “Serviços Frequentes”, click on “E-faturas”,
Then“Registar Faturas” at the bottom,
A page will open with your NIF and full name,
Fill in your invoice details,
Click on“registrar” once you’ve filled in all the fields.

Register an invoice

In conclusion

The use of the NIF is ubiquitous in Portugal, both for your expenses in Portugal, as you will have seen in this article, and for any formalities you may wish to carry out in Portugal. In fact, obtaining your NIF is the number 1 administrative formality you need to complete if you want to settle in Portugal. Contact us and we’ll help you with the formalities. I’ll tell you more about it in this blog post.

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Beaches in Portugal : my 10 favorite beaches

Dominique Rodrigues — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 10:25:18 +0000

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When we talk about Portugal, we often talk about its ideal quality of life ! This quality of life is associated to several factors. One of them is the beauty of the beach in Portugal. With a huge coastline, Portugal offers many awesome beaches. We couldn’t name all beaches in Portugal, but today, as summer is coming, I decided to share with you some of my favorite ones (this list is subjective). Beach in Portugal, there are so many that caught my attention by their beauty and their originality. Note to those who are cold-sensitive, although beautiful, the beaches in Portugal are from the Atlantic Ocean coast so the water is generally rather cold, ideal to firm up the skin ! Let’s go to discover my favorite beaches in Portugal !

1 – Praia de São Jacinto – Aveiro District

We begin with Aveiro, let me to introduce you top the São Jacinto beach. If you are in the mood for wild scenery, this is the beach to go. It gives the impression of being alone at the end of the world. This beach is characterized by its kilometers of white sand but also by its magnificent dunes. The latter are “protected” since they are part of the protected area of the dunes of São Jacinto. From Aveiro, the easiest way to reach this beach is to take the ferry from Gafanha da Nazaré.

2 – Praia da Nazaré – District of Leiria

The beach of Nazaré is one of the most famous beaches in the world. One of the reasons for its worldwide popularity is that many people go there to break a world record. That of the biggest wave ever surfed ! In 2011, the small town of 12,000 inhabitants became THE destination for wave hunters with surfer Garrett McNamara who surfed a wave of 23.77m and broke the world record. On November 8, 2017, Rodrigo Koxa, a Brazilian, beat this record by 61 cm by surfing a wave of 24.38m. The ocean is not permanently agitated, the waves are concentrated in Praia do norte because of a particular geological phenomenon in this place. A canyon goes down to 5000m deep and 200km long, this huge “hole” generates huge waves. The big waves are mainly visible in winter and especially in December.The beach also has the particularity of being overhung by a cliff of 110m high called “Sitio”, accessible by car, on foot or by funicular.

Nazaré beach is also a historical fishing port since the 17th century. The fish, mostly sardines and cod, are dried on the beach during the day.

3 – Praia São Martinho do Porto – District of Leiria

We continue to go south in Portugal to discover the beach of São Martinho do Porto. This beach is located 100 km north of Lisbon and 13 km south of Nazaré. In the past, the bay was used for boat building, fishing activities and salt production. Today it is a very popular place for family tourism. Besides, the Portuguese people rename this beach “Praia das Crianças” (Children’s Beach) because it is one of the safest beach in Portugal. Because of its shell shape, the ocean is calm, allowing children to splash around peacefully.

4 – Praia da Ursa – Lisbon District (Serra da Sintra)

50 mn north of Lisbon is the natural park of Sintra. It includes beautiful beaches : Praia da Adraga, Azenhas do Mar, Praia das Maças and the small and charming Praia da Ursa. Praia da Ursa, which means “the bear beach” (don’t worry, you won’t run into any bear) is a small beach hidden in the beautiful Serra da Sintra. For me, it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Sintra Natural Park. Golden sand and imposing rocks characterize this small beach.Like many beautiful beaches in Portugal, its access is not easy and even a bit dangerous but that’s the price to pay to reach this little hidden treasure ! During the descent, don’t miss to take a look at the incredible views that are offered to you.

5 – Praia Ribeira do Cavalo in Sesimbra – Setubal District

After the Serra da Sintra, we enter in the Serra da Arrabida with the Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo which is located about 50 mn south of Lisbon, in Sesimbra. Its white sand, its breathtaking cliffs and its turquoise waters make this beach sumptuous. The kind of beach with “wahouuu” effect guaranteed. To get there, you have to take a steep path that takes about 15 mn to reach the beach. Colored marks on the stones indicate the way. Here too, avoid flip-flops, the path is not easy, but it is worth it ! You won’t be disappointed once you arrive in this paradise.

6 – Praia dos Galapinhos – District of Setubal (Serra da Arrábida)

We stay in the Serra da Arrábida that stretches from Sesimbra to Setubal. The magnificent Serra da Arrábida offers beaches that are in my opinion among the most beautiful in Portugal. I would even say that they can challenge those of the Algarve. Beaches with white sand and crystal clear water that could be compared to Thai beaches (although the water temperature is not the same). These beautiful beaches are part of the Serra de Arrábida nature reserve, a protected area since 1976, which explains their wild side. Most of them are coves: Galapos, Galapinhos, Coelhos, and the most famous Portinho da Arrabida. All of them are more beautiful than the others. I chose to tell you about Praia dos Galapinhos but its description is similar to its neighbors mentioned above. To reach it you have to take a small sloping path in the middle of a luxuriant vegetation. The beach is protected by cliffs, so the water is quite calm and the beach is not very windy. It is a paradise on earth for snorkeling lovers. The turquoise water offers perfect conditions to explore the underwater fauna and flora. Beware, from mid-June to mid-September, the road to access it is blocked. So you have to park your car at Praia da Figueirinha and then walk 3km for the most sportive ones or take a bus. Another ideal way to discover these beaches of the Serra da Arrábida is to rent a boat from Setubal or Sesimbra (I recommend Pierre Sousa from the agency A Vela Passeios) or to rent a kayak from the praia da Figueirinha or Portinho da Arrábida.

7 – Praia da Comporta – Setubal District

We stay in the south of Lisbon, we cross the estuary of the Sado and we arrive in Troia. We go south a little more and we are now in Comporta. Located at about 100 km south of Lisbon and in the north of the region of Alentejo, the Comporta’s beach is at the limit of the natural reserve of the estuary of the Sado, a preserved natural space. This beach offers endless stretches of white sand. Here you will not find big buildings or hotels, the beach is lined with a few wooden houses. Old fishermen’s houses that have been renovated for those who want a Robinson Crusoe experience. You will find also many rice fields. A rice culture active since 1925 !

8 – Praia da Samoqueira – Porto Covo – District of Setubal (Alentejo)

About beaches, we often talk about Lisbon and Algarve regions, but a little less often about the beautiful region in between : Alentejo. The fishing village of Porto Covo is part of this region and is composed of a series of charming beaches. So, if you plan to travel between Lisbon and the Algarve during your stay in Portugal, I advise you not to take the highway but rather the coastal road of the Alentejo. You won’t be disappointed ! Once on this road, make a stop at the Samoqueira beach in Porto Covo. This beach is made up of many rocks and little sand, but this is precisely what makes it its main asset! This layout creates small stretches of sand, sort of private mini coves where you can rest in peace. The contrast between the black rocks, the golden sand and the turquoise water will seduce you for sure.

8 – Praia do Camilo – Lagos – District of Faro (Algarve)

When we talk about Lagos, we often talk about Praia Dona Ana, but there are obviously other beaches, including the charming Praia do Camilo. It is very small, its sand is fine and golden, it is located in the middle of huge orange cliffs and its water is awesome, looks like swimming pool water. The access to the beach is a long wooden staircase. Its reputation and its small size make that in summer time it is quickly crowded, so you have to go early if you want to enjoy quietly.

Also, what is interesting with this beach, it is that you have after 10 mn walking one of the most beautiful place of Algarve : Ponta da Piedade. When you arrive at this place, you will be eager to take out your camera to immortalize the magnificent view you will have in front of your eyes. You can either stay at the top of the cliff and admire the different views that are offered to you, or go down the stairs and once at the bottom take a small fisherman’s boat to walk in the middle of its impressive cliffs. Finally, it is quite rare that I recommend beach restaurants, as I am more of a “tasca” rather than tourist restaurant-lover but near the praia do Camilo and Ponte da Piedade is the restaurant “O Camilo” whose reputation is not to be made anymore. I recommend you to taste a good grilled fish there, it is delicious.

9 – Praia da Marinha – Lagoa – Faro District (Algarve)

Cited as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Praia de Marinha in Lagoa in the Algarve is beautiful. It is often the photo of this beach that is used by tour operators to promote the Algarve. The beauty of the Praia de Marinha will jump out at you from the parking lot. The parking lot is located on top of the cliffs of this beach, which offers a magnificent panorama. Moreover, even if the mad desire to go down on the beach invades you, I advise you to take some time to walk on the cliffs. The views are magnificent. The beach offers a beautiful fine golden sand that characterizes the beaches of the Algarve. This sand combines perfectly with the beautiful orange cliffs, which, with erosion, have particular cuts. An erosion that causes the retreat of the cliffs of 2mm to 2cm per year.

10 – Benagil Cave – Carvoeiro – District of Faro (Algarve)

Benagil ! This name is often mentioned in blog posts about Portugal and it’s not surprising, this place is “wahouuuu”. The kind of place where you take 15000 pictures ! You will say to me: “Where is this place ?The cave of Benagil is located near the praia da marinha of which we spoke just before. The bay of Benagil offers a small beach located in the middle of high cliffs (until then it is a bit like all the beaches of the Algarve). But, what is surprising is not there. You will have to take a boat, a kayak, or for the more athletic, swim for 10 mn and reach the spectacular Benagil cave. This place is a natural geological wonder. A small lagoon with transparent waters and a hole in the rock in which you can see the sky and the sun’s rays that pierce it. A must-see if you are in the Algarve !

Conclusion

That’s it, we finished this little tour of the beaches in Portugal and I hope you enjoyed it ! There is something for everyone with beautiful beaches from the north to the south of Portugal. We talk a lot about the beaches of the Algarve which are, it is true, sublime, but there are also a lot of others with various charms everywhere in Portugal. Don’t forget to enjoy the river beaches which are also very nice, especially in the Gerês. What about you? What are your favorite beaches in Portugal?

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8 Portuguese villages and towns to visit during your vacation in Portugal

Dominique Rodrigues — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 11:35:10 +0000

Looking for a vacation in Portugal ? You have all heard of Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve but there are many other small Portuguese cities waiting for you to visit which will most definitely seduce you. Today, I’m highlighting some cities in Portugal that are less known. It is not possible to make an exhaustive list but here are some Portuguese cities and villages to go visit during your vacation in Portugal.

1 – Ferreira do Zêzere

Ferreira do Zêzere is located 1h30 from Lisbon and 2h00 from Porto, in the center of Portugal, at the same level as Coimbra and Leiria. A place out of time, in the middle of nature, a kind of oasis in the middle of mountains and green valleys. It is the best destination for those who want to enjoy a wild and quiet place. It is still not very known and visited and this village has immense treasures to explore. Don’t miss the beautiful Lago Azul lake with its many water sports activities and the Torre Templária de Dornes : a tower built over the Zêzere river whose outdoor terrace offers an awesome view of the village and the river beaches.

2 – Monsanto

Monsanto is a small charming village located in the east of Portugal, near the Spanish border, near Coimbra. Away from all the tourist circuits, this authentic and amazing village is a good place for a break. The village of Monsanto stands on top of a hill. A village with a unique charm because the houses were built around and under huge rocks using them as walls or roofs. This is why this village is called “Village of Rocks”. These houses built in the rocks make this village completely atypical and it is a very nice place to explore to discover these strange structures.

3 – Comporta

Sophisticated and wild, Comporta, only 120 km south of Lisbon, is a small paradise where nature is omnipresent. Comporta offers a turquoise sea and immaculate white sand. Comporta is an ideal place for your vacation in Portugal to get a breath of fresh air away from the crowded beaches of Lisbon. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, consider scheduling a horseback ride on the beach, a great time for young and old.

4 – Evora

The charming city of Evora, located in the Alentejo region, is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Its historic center is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. You will see many buildings with gothic architecture but also medieval buildings, and breathtaking landscapes. On the other hand, the gastronomy of Alentejana will seduce you for sure. Take advantage of your stop in Évora to stroll through its narrow streets. The contrast between the exuberance of the historical monuments and the simplicity of the white houses with colorful details will charm you.

5 – Sagres

With its rugged landscapes, steep cliffs, rolling waves and natural forests, you will love the charming village of Sagres located in the Algarve and quieter in summer than some of the other Algarve seaside towns. This fishing port also offer incredible beaches. The name “Sagres” comes from “Promontorium Sacrum”, a designation given by Greek and Roman authors of the 4th century BC. Don’t miss a visit to the Fortaleza de Sagres and the cliffs of Cape São Vicente (the most south-westerly point in continental Europe). Sagres is a really good choice for your vacation in Portugal.

6 – Barcelos

Located on the road to Santiago de Compostela, Barcelos is a small town in the north of Portugal. This one is notably known for its famous legend of the rooster. The rooster which became besides one of the symbols of Portugal. The legend would tell that at the time, several crimes took place in Barcelos and nobody was arrested. One man, who was on his way to Santiago de Compostela, was found guilty without evidence by the court. He claimed his innocence and went to the judge. Seeing a rooster near him, the accused said to the judge: “It is just as true that I am innocent as that your rooster will rise and crow when I am hanged! On the day of the man’s execution, the rooster crowed and the judge realized that the accused was indeed innocent. The judge ran to the place where the man was hanged. As a result of the knot being tied incorrectly, the man escaped execution, and was thus found innocent and set free.Barcelos is also known for its handicrafts, especially ceramics, including roosters of all sizes with beautiful decorations like the one in the photo below, which echo the legend previously told.

7 – Tomar

The beautiful city of Tomar, located in the center of Portugal, is known as the “city of the Templars”. This former seat of the Templar order, is a charming city with an intense artistic and cultural wealth. A curiosity of this city is that its historical center is organized in a cross, with a convent in each of the cardinal points. To the north is the old Convent of the Anunciada; to the south is the Convent of São Francisco; to the east is the Convent of Santa Iria and to the west is the magnificent Convent of Christ (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), which is one of the most important works of the Renaissance in Portugal. In the center of this cross is the Republic Square (Praça da República).

8 – Aveiro

I couldn’t do this article about best small towns for your vacations in Portugal without talking about Aveiro. You know how much I appreciate this small town with great charm. Known as the “Venice of Portugal”, Aveiro is the second most important city of the central region of Portugal, just after Coimbra. Aveiro occupies a strategic position, on the Porto-Lisbon axis. It is a city to visit. Stroll along the quays, take a ride on the moliceiro, eat a delicious tripa or simply stroll by the beautiful palheiros of Costa Nova.

Conclusion

You have a lot of Portuguese cities and villages to discover during your vacation in Portugal. Portugal is full of beautiful landscapes, places, monuments and it will always surprise you.

Don’t hesitate to take a road trip and get lost by car or on foot in less touristy places to discover this beautiful country.

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Unusual holidays in Portugal : 12 place to go

Dominique Rodrigues — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 16:26:33 +0000

1,854

Have you always dreamt of staying in an un-usual accommodation ? Like sleeping in a bus, inside a train station or a wine barrel, or a windmill… Well, it exists ! Today, in this blog post, I take you to discover these atypical places for unusual vacations in Portugal.

Experiences, which are sure to create indelible travel memories. If you are a nature lover and you dream of living an atypical experience, I am sure that one or more of these accommodations will arouse your curiosity. Let’s go !

1 : Sleeping in a barrel in the middle of the Douro vineyards

If you love nature and wine tourism, I have the perfect place for you ! Imagine falling asleep in a wine barrel in the middle of the vineyards of the famous Douro wine region. Of course, the barrel is empty, you will not be infused with wine in your bed but the experience remains “crazy” !

This crazy experience is at the famous Quinta da Pacheca. Known for its fine wines and magnificent vineyards, Quinta da Pacheca offers you this unusual experience of sleeping in one of its 10 giant wine barrels.

What you need to know ?

Little extra : wine tastings are offered at Quinta da Pacheca, how not to pay a visit ? Also, the magnificent Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios is nearby and believe me … you need to go !
Price : from 200€ per night.
Number of guests : up to 2 people.
Link here to learn more about the Quinta da Pacheca‘s barrels.
Address : Rua do Relógio do Sol, 261, 5100-424 Lamego.

2 : Sleeping in a bus between Leiria and Fátima

It was one of my dream as a child, to sleep in a bus ! This is the curious adventure that Ricardo proposes with his bus of the 60’s. Located in Arrabal, in a rural area between Leiria and Fátima, this retro bus offers you an immersive experience in the nature. This bus was in operation in the 60’s, then it was transformed into a bar and now it is transformed into a comfortable accommodation. A place for an unusual vacation in Portugal that will delight young and old.

What you need to know ?

Little extra : swimming pool at disposal for the tenants of the bus, just to refresh a little in summer.
Price : from 110€ per night.
Number of guests : up to 4 people.
Link here to know more about the retro bus.
Address : Rua da padaria nº7, 2420-021 Arrabal, Leiria.

3 : Sleeping in a “box” in the middle of nature near Porto

In a farm in Valongo, 15km from Porto, spend a night in the middle of nature in the Natura Box. The Natura Box is based on an ecological concept of sustainability, non-waste and reuse of materials. In line with these principles, the “box” is made of large windows and metal plates recovered from South Korean boats. An atypical box in the middle of nature for a unique experience !

What you need to know ?

Little extra : the Suzão train station, 3 minutes away from the accommodation, has direct trains to the center of Porto, perfect for discovering Porto and taking a nature break for one or more nights.
Price : from 50€ per night.
Number of guests : up to 2 adults and 1 baby.
Link here to learn more about Natura Box
Address : Suzão train station, Valongo.

4 : Sleeping under a dome in Madeira

Soul Glamping is located in Prazeres on Madeira Island. Soul Glamping offers to sleep in one of its 5 domes overlooking the ocean. They are very spacious and bathed in natural light thanks to 180-degree windows that offer an extraordinary view of the ocean, mountains, sunrises and sunsets without even moving from your bed.

What you need to know ?

Little extra : private jacuzzi in front of the ocean, pretty cool … right ?
Price : from 120€ per night.
Number of guests : up to 2 adults and 2 children.
Link here to learn more about Soul Glamping
Address : Caminho do Jardim Pelado, 9370-630 Estreito da Calheta.

5 : Sleeping under a dome in Alentejo

Reserva Alecrim is located in Santiago do Cacém (130km south of Lisbon) and offers different types of accommodations including incredible domes. Each dome offers a large terrace overlooking the Alentejo coast. You will stay in the middle of olive trees and cork oaks, and you can discover hiking and biking trails in the mountains or by the sea. Also and always nearby, you will find incredible cliffs for paragliding, vast deserted beaches and the lakes of Santo André and Melides reserves, icons of the region.

What you need to know ?

Little extra : two beautiful pools are available to dome tenants : an infinity pool with an ocean view and a natural pool
Price : from 200€ per night.
Number of guests : up to 4 people.
Link here to learn more about Reserva Alecrim.
Address : Alentejo Litoral, Santiago do Cacém.

6 : Sleeping on the beach

Who has never dreamed of playing “Robinson Crusoe” ? It’s possible with this tastefully furnished beach hut on the great coast of Costa da Caparica, a few kilometers from Lisbon. Cabana Azul is a typical beach hut, its large windows offer you a privileged view of the ocean and the sound of the ocean will rock you (if that is not the ultimate luxury!). Finally, you can easily discover Lisbon, the Portuguese capital is located at about twenty minutes by car.

What you need to know ?

Little extra : regularly, traditional fishing boats bring back their nets on the beach not far from the hut, which allows you to live a nice local experience.
Price : from 310€ per night.
Number of guests : up to 8 persons.
Link here to learn more about Cabana Azul.
Address : Costa da Caparica Beach.

7 : Sleeping in a yurt in the Azores

Located in the heart of a plantation on the island of Faial, Azul Singular offers two comfortable yurts. These tents, inspired by the ancient shelters used by Central Asian nomads, are known for their circular shape. Built with a large skylight in the center, the yurts offer you a view of the stars. So romantic, isn’t it ? Each yurt has a private garden and a hammock for the inevitable nap.

What you need to know ?

Little extra : breakfast of regional products left in a basket at the door of the yurt every morning.
Price : from 80€ per night.
Number of guests : up to 2 people.
Link here to learn more about Azul Singular.
Address : Rua da Granja 61, 9900-361 Horta.

8 : Lodging with your feet in the sand even indoors

Casas Na Areia means “houses in the sand” and this perfectly translates the concept of these unusual accommodations since you will stay inside and outside with your feet in the white sand.

Located in Comporta (1h from Lisbon), Casas na areia offers 4 fishermen’s huts tastefully renovated by architect Manuel Aires Mateus in 2013. These wood and thatch huts with sandy floors blend perfectly with the backdrop of the long sandy beaches and rice fields that so characterize Comporta.

What you need to know ?

Little extra : small swimming pool facing the rice fields available to tenants.
Price : from 350€ per night.
Number of guests : up to 8 persons.
Link here to learn more about Casas na areia.
Address : Sítio da Carrasqueira, 7580-613 Comporta.

9 : Sleeping in a windmill

What could be more unusual than sleeping in a windmill ?

Moinho do Marco (Marco’s mill) is an old windmill from 1855 located in Setùbal (40min south of Lisbon). A 15-minute drive from the beautiful beaches of the Serra da Arrábida, this mill still retains its original wooden gears and offers you a breathtaking view.

What you need to know ?

Little extra : views of the ocean and the Sado that you can admire both from the mill’s private terrace and from the shared pool accessible to mill tenants.
Price : from 115€ per night
Number of guests : up to 2 persons.
Link here to learn more about Moinho do Marco.
Address : Estrada do Forte de Sao Filipe, 2900-300 Setúbal.

10 : Glamping in the Algarve

We hear more and more about “glamping”, a contraction of glamour and camping. This concept refers to “luxury camping” and this is what Casa Tuia offers in Carvoeiro (Algarve) with its tents that look like safari tents. They also offer a breathtaking view of the valley and the ocean.

What you need to know ?

A little extra : a communal swimming pool is at your disposal. The sleeping hut in the tent is sure to delight your youngest guests! I like it too but I’m not sure I’ll be able to get in it :))))
Price : from 120€ per night.
Number of guests : up to 4 to 6 people.
Link here to learn more about Casa Tuia.
Address : Casa Tuia, Poço partido, 8400-557, Carvoeiro – Lagoa.

11 : Sleeping in a train station

What if you tried the experience of sleeping in a train station ? This is what you can do in the old station of Marvão-Beirã in Alentejo. This trip is offered by Train Spot, which welcomes you to this historic station of the 19th century classified as Architectural Heritage. This station whose railroad line is no longer in operation (you’ll be in peace don’t worry) has been rearranged and offers several rooms to live an atypical experience.

What you need to know ?

Little extra : you’ll be a few kilometers from the Parque Natural da Serra de S. Mamede, the medieval village of Marvão and the Spanish border.
Price : from 40€ per night.
Number of guests : up to 4 people.
Link here to learn more about Train Spot.
Address : Estação ferroviária de Beirã/Marvão, Largo da Alfândega, 7330-012 Beirã.

12 : Sleep in a tepee

A Terra is located in São Teotónio, in the south of the Alentejo and 1.5 hours by car from Faro airport (Algarve). Nestled in a valley of fruit trees, A terra offers you a unique experience by sleeping in a tepee. Become for one night “an Indian in Portugal” ?

What you need to know ?

Little extra : the beach of Zambujeira and the “Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina” are less than 15 min away by car.
Price : from 80€ per night.
Number of guests : up to 4 people.
Link here to learn more about A Terra.
Address : Carvalhal Das Figueiras, Corgo Da Casca, 5707 7630-635 São Teotoni.

Conclusion

It was fun to write this blog post and sharing with you these incredible accommodations for an unusual vacation in Portugal.

What is the unusual accommodation that give you the most desire ?

For my part, the idea of sleeping in a bus intrigues me a lot so I think I will choose a night in the bus and I will invite my nephews because I think the kids will find this experience very cool too.

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8 advantages and disadvantages of living in Portugal

Dominique Rodrigues — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 07:27:23 +0000

3,359

You can have many fears in relation with living in Portugal. And they might well be legitimate! Going to live abroad is not a decision to be taken lightly. There are advantages and disadvantages.Yes, living in Portugal is great and that’s why I’ve been there for more than 8 years, but during these years I’ve seen many people come to Portugal and after 6 months, 1 year, 2 years … leave.

Keep in mind that spending holidays in Portugal is different from living there. When you spend holidays, you sometimes only see the good sides. Today, I will try to share with you some advantages and disadvantages of living in Portugal. Let’s go!

DISADVANTAGES of living in Portugal

1- Renting

Living in Portugal often starts with looking for a house / apartment and it is not easy to find a long-term rental in Portugal. Why is this ?

There are few properties available for long-term rental. There is a lot of demand for few offers, so rents are high and first come, first served,
Long-term rental properties are sometimes dilapidated : insulation problems, humidity and no heating. Yes, there are renovated properties, but these are often used for short-term rentals,
There are very few furnished properties and those that are furnished often have a rather old fashioned decoration and furniture,

It is difficult to find a “good” long-term rental for less than 600€ per month in Portugal. On the other hand, be reactive and have some money aside because you will probably be asked for at least 6 months worth of rent in advance if you do not have a guarantor in Portugal.

2 : Health

The Portuguese social security system only covers expenses incurred in the public sector and not those incurred in the private sector. The public and private sectors are totally independent from each other. The private sector is only accessible with private health insurance. Private health insurance allows access to private health care services in Portugal, which can be very interesting when you know the waiting times in the public sector. Indeed, except for major emergencies, waiting times in the public sector are extremely long whereas those in the private sector are almost immediate. Waiting times to get an appointment with a specialist or to have an operation are so long that many people opt for private health insurance in order to benefit from faster care in the private sector. This insurance reduces the cost of consultations and examinations. The rates of a private insurance are variable and depend on your profile : 70€ in average.

3 : Work

Living in Portugal also means finding a job there. There are a few things to keep in mind :

Portuguese salaries are low and are among the lowest in Europe. The minimum wage is 740€ per month (source: Eurostat),
Working hours are longer than in many European countries. In Portugal, people work 40 hours per week.
In terms of holidays, there are 22 days of paid vacations per year, in addition to the national vacations which are around 13 days per year.

4 : Cost of living

People often talk about the low cost of living in Portugal but .. Be careful ! Yes, some things are cheaper in Portugal than in other European countries but many things are the same price as the neighbours or even more expensive. Also, let’s not forget the previous point: Portuguese salaries are much lower so be careful with the ratio of Portuguese salaries to the cost of living in Portugal which can be tricky. Here are some examples of daily costs to keep in mind when deciding to live in Portugal :

Energy bills : in Portugal, electricity is about 20% more expensive than in France. And it is important to keep in mind that many homes include electric heaters or reversible air conditioning because the majority of homes in Portugal have no heating system at all.
Health insurance : as previously mentioned, you must budget for health insurance because it is essential, even indispensable, to have health insurance in Portugal.
Internet & Telephones : the national average for an internet + landline telephone package is 40€. On average, count 60€ for internet and phone.
Shopping : obviously, everything related to imported products is more expensive, especially all products related to hygiene, the majority of which are French brands.
Gasoline : the rates in Portugal are high. In mid-October 2021, the price of gasoline in Portugal even reached 2€ per liter.
Rent : let’s finish with what will be your main expense : rent. As you can imagine, rents are very different from one place to another in Portugal. Rents have increased a lot in the cities of Lisbon and Porto over the last few years and for this reason I would say that the cost of living in Portugal is not that low (at least in the big cities).

ADVANTAGES of living in Portugal

1 : Security

The feeling of security when living in Portugal is omnipresent. I am a young woman and I have never had any fears or worries in Portugal. I’m not hung up on my phone in the metro, I’m not afraid to leave my computer on a coffee table when I have to pay, or I never have any fears when I’m walking in the streets alone after midnight. It is not perfect, and crime also exists in Portugal. There have been a lot of worries about rival gangs in Porto and Lisbon in the last few weeks. However, crime in Portugal is relative and lower than in many countries. In 2021, according to the Global Peace Index, Portugal is considered the 4th most peaceful country in the world, just behind Iceland, New Zealand and Denmark.

2 : Weather

As Portugal is located in the south of Europe, the temperatures are much milder than in the rest of Europe. It is often said that there are 300 days of sunshine per year and it is true ! From Lisbon to the Algarve, rain and gray skies are very rare ! In the north of the country, the sun is a little less present, but the temperatures are mild almost all year round.In winter, temperatures are often around 15º during the day and rarely drop below 5º. In summer, temperatures often exceed 30º during the day and drop to 15º in the evening.At the end of October this year, it was again 28 degrees during the day. An Indian summer that allows you to enjoy Portugal, its beaches, its landscapes, its monuments, its villages, its cities…

3 : Gastronomy

In Portugal, the cuisine has a very important place and the know-how is transmitted from generation to generation. Portuguese cuisine is a “no-fuss”, family-style, tasty, made “with love” and generous cuisine. As you may have noticed, the dishes served are often large portions. The further north you go, the more your plates will be filled. In fact, in many restaurants, you have the choice to order a “dose” or a “meia-dose”.Even if the Portuguese like to cook, going to a restaurant is an integral part of their habits. Even in the morning, it is customary to have breakfast at the local café, whereas in France it is very rare to have this meal outside. This craze for restaurants can be partly explained by their very affordable prices.Each region has its specialties. It is, in my opinion, interesting to taste them during your escapades in the different regions of Portugal.

4 : The quality of life

If you ask an expatriate what he likes most here in Portugal, one of his answers will most likely be: the quality of life. This quality of life is highlighted in every report on Portugal and seduces a large number of people. What is quality of life ? It is the points previously mentioned: the sun, the temperatures, the security, the gastronomy… but also the traditions, the landscapes, the beaches, the architecture, the activities, the warm welcoming of the locals… which contribute unquestionably to this Portuguese quality of life.

Conclusion

I don’t know if I already told you but I did not come to Portugal “by choice”. I didn’t know Portugal at all, I had never been there, I didn’t know its culture, its gastronomy, nor its architecture before to live there. I followed my boyfriend who was in Portugal for professional reasons. Today, I consider this country as my adopted country. I feel like home here.But be careful, living in Portugal is not only advantages and you have to be aware of this if you decide to live there. My advice: take time to weigh the pros and cons, get informed before your departure … Don’t do as I did ? Before your departure, go to Portugal several times and discover the region. Be curious, get off the beaten track, be open, discover the real Portugal. Discover the culture and adapt yourself as much as possible to the country and its inhabitants.

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8 things you should know before buying a property in Portugal

Dominique Rodrigues — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 12:36:49 +0000

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You want to buy a property in Portugal but you have many questions ? Buying a house is always stressful and it can be even more stressful when you buy a property in another country than your own, sometimes with a language you don’t master. So today I’m going to tell you 8 things you should know before buying a property in Portugal.

1 : The quality of real estate in Portugal

If you want to buy a property in Portugal, the quality of the property will probably be one of your criteria. Whether it’s an old property, a modern building or a renovation, properties in Portugal are often of high quality.

The equipment is also generally high quality: kitchen, bathroom, carpentry … Not too many bad surprises to expect.

There is also a lot of choice in materials, equipment, finishes, which allows you to customize your property to your desires. Beware, there are still architectural restrictions but not a lot. Even if there are some funny restrictions like the obligatory bidet and the access to gas even if the house has no gas!

On the other hand, sometimes the finishing touches are a bit sloppy. One should not make generalizations but it can happen. It is therefore essential in the context of construction / renovation to pay attention to this. If you are not on the spot, I strongly advise you to call upon a close relation or a company to “inspect the finished work” in order not to have bad surprises. Without generalizing, it can be useful to foresee a small budget for finishing: joints, complaints, paint touch-ups…

2 : Delayed work

You must also keep in mind that it is not always easy to find craftsmen to renovate or build your house in Portugal. To find a craftsman, I strongly advise you to recommend him. Word of mouth is the best way to get quality service. Once you have found the craftsmen, you must set up precise deadlines in your contract with fees if they are not respected. Why should you do this ? Because very often, the craftsmen accept several work sites, and too many work sites. So they start yours, put it on stand-by to start another, then another and another … which can cause major delays for your construction or renovation work. I invite you to read my article on renovation to learn more about this.

3 : Real estate prices in Portugal

I talked about it in my last article : Real estate prices in Portugal, these have been increasing steadily over the last 10 years, between 7 and 10% increase per year, and even in the last two years despite the pandemic. Prices may still be relatively low in some areas but it is important to keep in mind that demand is strong in the Portuguese real estate market. No, no ! You are not the only one who wants to buy a property in Portugal and therefore prices are not as low as they were 5 or 10 years ago ! They have gone up and continue to go up because of this strong demand from foreign investors but not only … Contrary to popular belief, nationals are also buying real estate in Portugal, a trend that has become even more apparent in the last two years of the pandemic. (See my last article).

Algarve, Lisbon and Porto are unsurprisingly the most expensive regions. But the other regions also increase in value every year. Lisbon, Porto and their regions, despite their higher prices than other regions, remain “good investments” since they are regions where demand is (and will continue to be) increasing.So, if you are attracted to a region and you find the property of your dreams, don’t delay too long in positioning yourself because demand is high and prices are on the rise. It often happens that a buyer loses the opportunity to buy the house of his dreams by taking too much time to think. If you have a crush, I advise you to make an offer.

4 : Get support

We must distinguish between a real estate agent and a real estate hunter. If you contact a real estate agent to buy a property in Portugal, you will take the time to specify all the details of your research but the risk is that in the end the agency will take you to visit properties that have nothing to do with your criteria. What a pity! This type of situation is quite recurrent. Why is this ? Agencies try to sell the properties for which they are mandated, they are at the service of the seller.

The real estate hunter is at your service, at the service of the buyer and not at the service of the seller, he does not have any property to sell and will therefore offer you more properties that really correspond to your criteria.

5 : Diagnostics

In Portugal, there are no compulsory diagnoses. There are no lead, asbestos, termite, etc. diagnoses. There are no diagnoses on flooding, seismic risks, etc. It is up to you to check … as you can … On the other hand, the energy certificate is mandatory.

6 : Insulation

A recurrent problem of houses in Portugal is that they are sometimes poorly insulated, with single-glazed windows and in the old buildings, a heating system rarely present. Despite the mild winters in Portugal, a heater is still necessary to live there unless you like to walk around the house with your grandma’s big knitted sweater. Be sure to look for heating equipment when you visit houses. Older renovated properties often have reversible air conditioning systems installed. And if there is nothing planned, plan a budget to install the heating. Several solutions are available to you (prices are indicative):

the simplest : a reversible air conditioning. This will cost you between 6,000€ and 10,000€,
electric radiators, the difficulty will be to access the electrical outlets, but it will cost about 5,000€,
underfloor heating with heat pump is about 100€ / m2 (can only be done during construction),
the electric floor heating that can be installed during a renovation. Also around 100€ / m2.

7 : Capital gains on real estate in Portugal

If you sell a property in Portugal, even if it is your main residence, your capital gain will still be taxed. The tax is 50% of the capital gain. For example, if you have realized a capital gain of 50,000€ from the sale of your house in Portugal, then 25,000€ will be taken into account in the calculation of your IRS. You can be exempt from this tax if the capital gain is reinvested in the acquisition, construction or work on a new home as your primary residence.

The reinvestment must be made within 3 years of the sale of the property.

8 : Formalities for buying a house in Portugal

In Portugal, the role of the notary is quite different from the role in France, his role is only to authenticate the signatures during the final sales contract. It is mandatory to go before the notary or the lawyer for this act of sale in Portugal called “Escritura”. The deed of sale is therefore often quicker but can be more risky as all documents must be checked. Generally, it is up to you and/or your lawyer and/or your real estate advisor to check the different documents. Villa Feria, for example, takes care of this.

Know that if you make a credit to the bank in Portugal. This one will take care of these verifications and it does it well in general since it is also to secure itself ?

Conclusion

If you have read this article it is that you are considering buying a property in Portugal and I can only wish you the best in this adventure. Think about :

Get to know the region you are interested in,
Do not forget that some rules are different between Portugal and your country,
Take the time to visit several times the house you want to buy,
Take the time to read and reread all the documents related to the purchase,
Be well accompanied,
Enjoy your new life in Portugal.

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Real estate in Portugal in 2021 : how prices evolved post Covid ?

Dominique Rodrigues — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 17:17:10 +0000

2,697

These last weeks I have seen many questions related to real estate in Portugal and the pandemic. This is why I wrote this blog post. Have real estate prices in Portugal decreased due to COVID-19 ? What are the effects of this pandemic on the real estate market in Portugal ? We talk about it today in this article.

Real estate prices in Portugal in 2020 (1st year Covid)

Despite the pandemic, the surge in home prices in Portugal seen since 2011 has not been stopped by the health crisis. The increase in real estate prices in Portugal has continued to grow with +9.90% between 2020 and 2019. Below are the price increases observed over the last 4 years (source : ine.pt):

2017 : +7.62%
2018 : + 6.87%
2019 : + 8.53%
2020 : +9.90%

Real estate prices in Portugal in 2021 (2nd year Covid)

Real estate in Portugal in 2021, like in 2020, is not currently subject to a price drop. Currently, the price increase continues although it is slightly lower than in the previous period with + 8.3% if we take the sliding year from June 2020 to June 2021 (source: idealista.pt)

Portugal remains a very popular real estate destination for investors in 2021.

A new demand

The covid-19 has reminded everyone of the importance of the home, the famous “home sweat home”. The essential place of the latter in our lives and the requirements to make this home a place we feel good. As a result, real estate transactions have increased for homes and regions offering a better “quality of life” and Portugal attracts a large number of people for these reasons.

Homes with spacious outdoors spaces : terraces or gardens, a pleasant office room, a spacious living room … have actually not seen their prices collapse and even the opposite due to a very high demand.

Furthermore, the location of the property remains unsurprisingly essential. In these covid times, there are new concerns in terms of location :

Being outside the big cities but on the outskirts. Thus, the outlying areas of Lisbon and Porto have seen their demand increase since the covid,
Being on the seaside,
The distance between work and home has become a secondary consideration. It is no longer so important for the majority of people. Why is this? With a massive development of teleworking, it has broken the distance barriers and people, not ready to move to Portugal due to their work, have finally realized that it was possible ! With remote working, mobility has increased and it is easier to move abroad and keep his work.

This is why, the Portugal’s regions offering a nice living environment with nature, beach, sun… have been even more popular since the pandemic. Logically, this increase in demand has resulted in an increase in the price of real estate in Portugal.

Continued demand despite the confinements

Due to covid-19, the first quarter of 2021 has been very complicated for Portugal with a second strict confinement limiting a lot the moving with the other countries. Although the desire to find a property in Portugal was real, the transactions could not really be realized because the trips, visits were not possible. This situation put foreigner’s investment projects on hold. But this didn’t stop their intention to buy.

Also, the real estate market in Portugal continued to be supported by a strong demand from nationals for properties with more exteriors, which we were talking about just before.

Conclusion

Although it is impossible to predict the future with this unprecedented crisis, real estate in Portugal has shown that it was strong despite this crisis.

In less than ten years, thanks to tourism and real estate, Portugal has emerged from its economic crisis. It has become an essential destination for real estate investment.

Even if almost half of the real estate transactions in Portugal are made by foreigners, mainly : English, French, Brazilians, Chinese. During the crisis, we could see the return of Portuguese buyers and the real estate market in Portugal did not collapse as it could have happened.

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International schools in Portugal, what are the options for your children ?

Dominique Rodrigues — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 12:26:29 +0000

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Parents who decide to move for a new country have many questions about the education and overall integration of their children. Which schools in Portugal to choose ? Often you think directly of English schools : “My child is an English speaker so let’s put him in an English school”. This is a good option, but it is not the only one even if your children only speak English at the moment.

The goal of this blog post is to inform and reassure you about your children’s schooling options in Portugal. But also, to present you with the possibilities that you have as english-speaking parents for the schooling of your little ones.

The organisation of the Portuguese education system

Schooling in Portugal has different cycles. From birth to 5 years old, school is not mandatory. During this period, you can choose between:

“Berçários” for babies from 3 to 11 months.
“Creches” also called “infantarios“, for children between 11 months and 3 years. There are public and private ones. It is best to book well in advance to be sure of getting a place. As for costs, in the public sector, the amount is calculated according to the income and expenses of the household, and should be between 150 and 300 euros per month. Private creches, on the other hand, charge between 300 and 450 euros per month.
“Jardins da infância” are kindergartens for children between 3 and 5 years old. To find “creches” and “jardins da infância”, this easy-to-use Portuguese website will list establishments near your home.

From 6 years old, school becomes mandatory in Portugal with :

1st ciclo ensino básico for children from 6 to 9 years old.
2nd and 3rd ciclo ensino básico, with one teacher per subject and a main teacher. At the end of these 5 years, students take a certificate of studies.
High school, this cycle lasts 3 years and at the end, students take the “Diploma de Ensino Secundário”. During the last year : “decimo ano », the student must choose between a general stream (scientific, economic or literary), a professional stream (which can be followed in apprenticeship) and an artistic stream (available only in some high schools).
Universities : there are two distinct systems of higher education in Portugal : the university system and the polytechnic system.

The different types of schools for your children in Portugal : 2 options

Once you are ready to move with your family to Portugal, you will need to choose a school for your children. There are 2 main options: Portuguese schools, public or private and International schools (private). Your choice will take into account different factors such as :

where you live in Portugal,
your budget,
the length of your expatriation,
whether or not you wish to integrate the international dimension into your child’s education,
your appreciation of the infrastructure,
your first contacts with the school,
and many other subjective criteria.

Option 1 : Portuguese schools

Portuguese schools are obviously the ones you will find the most. There are portuguese private and public schools. In the case of public schools, priority is given to pupils who live in the neighborhood. However, especially in the 2nd and 3rd cycle schools, it is possible to be accepted even if you do not live in the neighborhood. For private schools, you choose the one you want.

In both public and private Portuguese schools, classes are taught in Portuguese. In addition to that, you should know that for foreigners, Portuguese schools offer hours of Portuguese language lessons “Português Língua Não Materna” so that the “foreign” child assimilates the language more quickly. English-speaking children will take a different Portuguese test from their Portuguese peers in the 9º ano and 12º ano.

The school rhythm in Portuguese schools

From kindergarten to high school, school starts in September and finishes in June. The university years starting in October and ending in May. It is between 23 and 27 hours per week depending on the age of the students.

There are no no winter holidays like many countries, but summer holidays are longer and in February there are 4 days (including weekend) for the Carnival (very popular celebration in Portugal). Below is the holiday calendar for the 2017-2018 school year to give you an idea. It should also be noted that schools in Portugal often offer extra-curricular activities at the end of the day and during the school holidays.

Cost of Portuguese schools

In public schools, there are few expenses to be expected, but you should be aware that books have to be purchased from the “cinco ano” onwards, so you should expect to pay around 250 euros for books per year and the canteen is around 1.50 euros per day. In private schools in Portugal, the costs depend on the school you selected, you should expect to pay between 350 and 550 euros per month all inclusive and the registration fee (between 150 and 350 euros).

As parents, you may be reluctant to send your children to a foreign school where they are taught in a language they do not speak at all. However, children learn foreign languages much more easily than adults. Moreover, integration into the culture is much quicker and easier when they are directly immersed in the country’s school.

Option 2 : International schools in Portugal

If you prefer an international environment, there are also international schools throughout the country, attended by both Portuguese and foreign students. In these schools, students can follow international programmes such as the International Baccalaureate (I.B.), the British GCSE and GCE examination systems and Cambridge University exam preparation. Courses are usually taught in English and in some schools even in Portuguese for the younger students. These schools are often more expensive than others but provide a “high quality” service:

small classes,
well-maintained facilities,
numerous extra-curricular activities,
and a strong international environment.

Cost of international schools

The costs of these schools vary from one school to another, but you should expect to pay between 500 and 1,500 euros per month and registration fees of between 300 and 1,000 euros depending on the school you choose. Below is a non-exhaustive list of international schools in Portugal by region:

In the North : The Oporto British School, CLIP – Colégio Luso Internacional do Porto, Colégio Luso-Francês
In the Centre : Colégio Luso-Internacional do Centro
Lisbon and surroundings :St. Julian’s School,St. Peter’s School,Carlucci American International School of Lisbon
In the South : Vilamoura International School,Vale Verde International School, Colégio Santiago Internacional

Recognition of Portuguese diplomas

If you choose to send your children to a Portuguese school, you will undoubtedly ask yourself the question of the recognition of Portuguese diplomas.

Regarding the recognition of Portuguese diplomas, it is important to note that there is no legal principle of equivalence between diplomas obtained abroad and diplomas in your country.

In addition, in 1998 the Bologna Process was signed by several countries, including Portugal. This process allows for the recognition of European higher education qualifications throughout Europe. Equivalence is achieved through ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits obtained during the student’s course. These credits make it easier to read and compare programmes in different European countries. These credits validate the work done by the student (mid-term exams, internships, dissertations, etc.). Once obtained, they are definitively acquired and transferable to all European higher education institutions.

Conclusion

As you may have noticed, there are different options for your choice of schools in Portugal for your children. We often think directly of English schools in Portugal, but it is not the only one. The fact that your child does not speak Portuguese should not be a barrier in your choice. The various parents I spoke to had great fears about their children’s social and linguistic adaptation. At the end these fears quickly dissipated. Their children integrated very quickly and quickly mastered the language.

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NIF in Portugal : the first step to live in Portugal and begin your new life

Dominique Rodrigues — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 19:59:06 +0000

Ready to move to Portugal ? Before doing anything, you will need to get the precious NIF, without this NIF you cannot do anything in Portugal. The NIF in Portugal is a really important. What is this famous NIF ? Why do you need NIF in Portugal ? How do I get a NIF in Portugal ? How can I make money with the NIF ? You have been asking me these questions many times and today I am replying to you in this article.

What is the NIF in Portugal ?

The NIF : Número de Identificação Fiscal also called “número de contribuinte” is the Portuguese tax identification number.

It is based on 9 digits and all people living in Portugal, local and foreign, must have it.

It will probably be the first thing you need to do when you move to Portugal and without it you will be blocked for all administrative procedures in Portugal.

NIF in Portugal

Why do I need a NIF in Portugal ?

It is impossible to make an exhaustive list, but as previously mentioned, this number is really a key :

> For administrative procedures:

To rent a property,
To buy a property,
To sell a property,
To open a bank account,
To create a company,
To pay your taxes,
To make your employment contract,
To buy a car,
To take various subscriptions,
…

> To obtain tax reductions according to your expenses : I will tell you more about this later in the article.

Loja do cidadão

How to get the NIF in Portugal ?

To get a NIF you need to have an address in Portugal, but to have an address, you need a home, and to have a home, you need a NIF. As you can see, it is finally not very easy. There are two solutions available to you:

Option 1: be represented by someone

Ask a person who is a fiscal resident in Portugal. This tax “representative” will go to the Finanças (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira) in the aim you can obtain a provisional NIF that will allow you to sign the purchase or rental of your property in Portugal. In this case, you will need to provide the following documents to obtain your NIF : a valid passport, proof of residence from your country of origin (invoices…) and the deed of appointment of your Tax Representative in Portugal.

Then, you can proceed and buy or rent your property in Portugal with this provisional NIF.

Finally, once you have your address in Portugal. Go to the Loja do Cidadão closest to your address (the one you will depend on) in order to obtain your definitive Portuguese NIF.

Option 2 : the European residence certificate

Go to a Loja do Cidadão to obtain a European residence certificate.

Once this certificate is obtained, go to the Finanças to obtain a provisional NIF.

With this provisional NIF, buy or rent your home in Portugal.

Once you have obtained your accommodation and address in Portugal, you must return to the Loja do Cidadão closest to your accommodation to obtain a certificate of residence in Portugal.

Finally, return to the Finanças to apply for your definitive NIF with your certificate of residence.

In the context of the pandemic, the “Lojas do Cidadão” are now re-opened but only by appointment. So please make an appointment before going there. The list of Lojas do Cidadão and Finanças here.

Option 3 : to pay a lawyer in Portugal who can create your NIF for you

How to make money with NIF in Portugal ?

“Quer contribuinte na fatura?” – everywhere you will pay in Portugal, the cashier will ask you this question : at the restaurant, at the grocery store, in the shops… It’s to know if you want your tax number to be mentioned on your ticket. But why put the NIF on your invoice / receipt ?

In Portugal, you can get tax reductions depending on your expenses. You can get back up to €250 per category of spendings. Among the categories we find for example : catering, transport, shopping … This sum to be recovered can be important after one year and will be deducted from your taxes. Knowing that the taxes in Portugal are deducted at source, it is therefore possible that the Portuguese State will give you money back as a result of the expenses you have made throughout the year.

On the other hand, to encourage people to ask for a bill and to fight against the black market, the Portuguese government created a lottery with the bill numbers, they call it “fatura da sorte” (the bill of luck). So the bills are drawn and the winners get money or cars.

Fatura da Sorte

Conclusion

As you can see, getting your NIF if you move to Portugal is really really important. Obviously this is not the only administrative step you will have to do but it is probably the first one to do and the most important. For more information about NIF, here is the official Portuguese website: https://eportugal.gov.pt

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Gastronomy in Portugal : 6 traditional Portuguese dishes you will love

Dominique Rodrigues — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 19:55:34 +0000

Portugal offers many assets: beautiful cities, long coastline, beautiful beaches, beautiful monuments, traditions… and also many delicious Portuguese dishes.

This is what I’m going to talk about today by sharing with you 6 traditional Portuguese dishes not to be missed during your stay or your life in Portugal.

This list is not exhaustive. Today I have chosen to make you discover new Portuguese dishes because believe me, in terms of gastronomy there is plenty to do in Portugal.

1- Arroz de Cabidela

Arroz de cabidela is a dish from the Minho region (north of Portugal). You will find it in the district of Braga and in the city of Vila Verde.

I want to say that this dish can be a bit divisive. You either like it or you don’t because this dish is made with animal blood.

Although it is a traditional Portuguese dish, because of the Portuguese presence in the world during the centuries of discoveries, this recipe can be found in several countries. You can find it in Cape Verde, Angola, Macao, India and Brazil.

In Portugal, the recipe of the arroz de cabidela is registered since the 16th century. It is traditionally made with rice, vinegar, blood and chicken but can also be prepared with duck, turkey, pork, goat or game.

This dish has also become popular because it is easy and inexpensive.

2 : Cozido à Portuguesa

Meat, sausage, cabbage and boiled vegetables, does this sound familiar ? Cozido à Portuguesa looks a little bit like Olla podrida from Spain, Pot-au-feu from France and Bollito Misto from Italy.

The origin of cozido is not certain. In the 17th century, Domingos Rodrigues, cook of the Royal House of Portugal was the first to write a culinary treatise in Portuguese: “Arte de Cozinha”. In it, the cozido à portuguesa is called with the Spanish name: olla podrida.

There are dozens of variations of this dish in Portugal. Depending on the region and family, some add chicken, some don’t, some add beans, sausages, chouriço, cabbage… some don’t.

In Minho, fatty chicken, smoked ham, salpicão and pork snout are added. The cabbage is removed and the rice is baked.

In Trás-os-Montes, alheira and farinheira sausages are added.

In Alentejo, it is called cozido à alentejana, does not include chicken, but may include lamb and chickpeas.

In the Algarve, some people add sweet potatoes and a sprig of mint to cozido.

In the Azores, it is cozido das Furnas that is cooked underground with the volcanic heat of Furnas.

Despite these variations, everyone agrees on one thing: it is one of the most popular Portuguese dishes among families. It is claimed by the Portuguese as the monument of the national gastronomy, and you will easily find it on the menu of typical restaurants, especially on Sundays.

3 : Tripas à moda do Porto

Tripas à moda do Porto is also one of the traditional Portuguese dishes and you will understand it especially in Porto. It contains different types of meat, tripe, sausage and white beans.

According to legend, the dish dates back to the time of the Great Portuguese Discoveries. At that time, both banks of the Douro River were occupied with the construction of ships. King Infante D. Henrique, son of D. João I, is said to have asked the people of Porto to provide all the food possible to the ships for their military expedition. All the meat available in the city was salted and supplied to the ships. The population that had sacrificed to provide all this food, ended up with only offal. This is where the tripas in moda do Porto would be born. And it is also this dish that gave the nickname of the inhabitants of Porto: the tripeiros (tripe eaters).

4 : Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato

The clams at Bulhão Pato are a typical dish of Portuguese cuisine, originating from the region of Estremadura. It is said that the name of this delicacy is a tribute to the Portuguese poet Raimundo António de Bulhão Pato author of recipes.

The dish is composed of clams, olive oil, garlic, coriander, salt, pepper and lemon. Some recipes may add a little white wine.

There are two books that refer to the origin of this dish in the city of Lisbon, more precisely in the old restaurant Estrela de Ouro, in Graça.

5 : Migas

This culinary specialty consists in frying very thin slices of dry bread rubbed with garlic in mutton or pork fat or in olive oil. It’s light … ? … but so good!

Migas à alentejana are the most famous ones, it is one of the most famous Portuguese dishes from Alentejo. Like the açordas and other dishes from this region of Portugal, the basic ingredient is bread.

In the region of Leiria (Portugal), Migas are also found in the form of corn bread crumbs with spinach, garlic and olive oil.

6 : Cataplana

The word “cataplana” refers to the dish used to cook the typical foods of the Algarve, but this name is also used for all the dishes made with this copper container formed by two concave parts that can be closed with all the ingredients inside.

This dish cataplana would be related to the Arab influence of North Africa in the Algarve region. In fact, in North Africa there is also an ancient utensil, whose cooking process is similar to that of the Cataplana. Do you have an idea? It is the famous Tajine. Although made of clay, it uses the same type of hermetic steam cooking as the cataplana, and the dishes are cooked slowly and at a low temperature preventing the loss of flavors.

The cataplana in Portugal began to be produced several decades ago in the Algarve region by old boilermakers. Traditionally made of copper or zinc, today they are often found in steel.

The cataplana is mainly used for clam and seafood recipes and is one of the Portuguese dishes that symbolize the gastronomic heritage in Portugal.

Conclusion

Portuguese dishes are very good and I advice you to discover these dishes during your stay or life in Portugal. If you prefer to eat sweet flavours, I wrote an article about 15 famous traditional portuguese desserts which I invite you to read next.

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The post Gastronomy in Portugal : 6 traditional Portuguese dishes you will love appeared first on Villa Feria.

Dominique Rodrigues, Author at Villa Feria

How to earn money and cars with your expenses in Portugal?

1 – Why give your NIF when you spend in Portugal?

2 – How do I know if my expenses in Portugal are properly recorded and qualify for a tax credit?

In conclusion

Beaches in Portugal : my 10 favorite beaches

1 – Praia de São Jacinto – Aveiro District

2 – Praia da Nazaré – District of Leiria

3 – Praia São Martinho do Porto – District of Leiria

4 – Praia da Ursa – Lisbon District (Serra da Sintra)

5 – Praia Ribeira do Cavalo in Sesimbra – Setubal District

6 – Praia dos Galapinhos – District of Setubal (Serra da Arrábida)

7 – Praia da Comporta – Setubal District

8 – Praia da Samoqueira – Porto Covo – District of Setubal (Alentejo)

8 – Praia do Camilo – Lagos – District of Faro (Algarve)

9 – Praia da Marinha – Lagoa – Faro District (Algarve)

10 – Benagil Cave – Carvoeiro – District of Faro (Algarve)

Conclusion

2 bedroom apartment with sea view, 10km from Lisbon and 2km from the beaches

Duplex apartment with sea view 15 minutes from Lisbon

Single-storey house with swimming pool

Condominium apartments facing the sea

Villa already finished and ready to move in: 4-suite bungalow on 750m2 plot in a quiet area of Azeitão

Magnificent house with basement, indoor and outdoor pool in Verdizela/Aroeira

House T3 1 10 min from Lisbon and 5 min from the beaches

4 bedroom villa with pool and jacuzzi in Aroeira

House with pool ready to move into

Villa already finished and ready to move in: 4-suite bungalow on 750m2 plot in a quiet area of Azeitão

8 Portuguese villages and towns to visit during your vacation in Portugal

1 – Ferreira do Zêzere

2 – Monsanto

3 – Comporta

4 – Evora

5 – Sagres

6 – Barcelos

7 – Tomar

8 – Aveiro

Conclusion

2 bedroom apartment with sea view, 10km from Lisbon and 2km from the beaches

Duplex apartment with sea view 15 minutes from Lisbon

Single-storey house with swimming pool

Condominium apartments facing the sea

Villa already finished and ready to move in: 4-suite bungalow on 750m2 plot in a quiet area of Azeitão

Magnificent house with basement, indoor and outdoor pool in Verdizela/Aroeira

House T3 1 10 min from Lisbon and 5 min from the beaches

4 bedroom villa with pool and jacuzzi in Aroeira

House with pool ready to move into

Villa already finished and ready to move in: 4-suite bungalow on 750m2 plot in a quiet area of Azeitão

Unusual holidays in Portugal : 12 place to go

1 : Sleeping in a barrel in the middle of the Douro vineyards

2 : Sleeping in a bus between Leiria and Fátima

3 : Sleeping in a “box” in the middle of nature near Porto

4 : Sleeping under a dome in Madeira

5 : Sleeping under a dome in Alentejo

6 : Sleeping on the beach

7 : Sleeping in a yurt in the Azores

8 : Lodging with your feet in the sand even indoors

9 : Sleeping in a windmill

10 : Glamping in the Algarve

11 : Sleeping in a train station

12 : Sleep in a tepee

Conclusion

2 bedroom apartment with sea view, 10km from Lisbon and 2km from the beaches

Duplex apartment with sea view 15 minutes from Lisbon

Single-storey house with swimming pool

Condominium apartments facing the sea

Villa already finished and ready to move in: 4-suite bungalow on 750m2 plot in a quiet area of Azeitão

Magnificent house with basement, indoor and outdoor pool in Verdizela/Aroeira

House T3 1 10 min from Lisbon and 5 min from the beaches

4 bedroom villa with pool and jacuzzi in Aroeira

House with pool ready to move into

Villa already finished and ready to move in: 4-suite bungalow on 750m2 plot in a quiet area of Azeitão

8 advantages and disadvantages of living in Portugal

DISADVANTAGES of living in Portugal

1- Renting

2 : Health

3 : Work

4 : Cost of living

ADVANTAGES of living in Portugal

1 : Security