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The latest figures from the SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) indicate that the number of foreign residents in Portugal has increased for the 7th consecutive year. For the year 2022, the SEF counts 757,252 foreigners registered as residents in Portugal. This is about 8% more than in 2021. Main foreign populations residing in Portugal in 2022: Brazilians (233 138), +13% compared to 2021. British (36 639) Cape Verdeans (35 744) Indians (34 232), +13 % compared to 2021. Italians (33 707) Angolans (30 417) French (27 614) Ukrainians (26 898), in 2022, Portugal granted temporary protection status to 56,382 citizens who fled the war in Ukraine. Romanians (23 967) Nepalese (23 441) On the SEF online portal, the SEFSTAT section https://sefstat.sef.pt/forms/home.aspx provides statistical information on the foreign population in Portugal, highlighting reports on immigration, borders and asylum as well as the evolution of the population since 1980. Below: SEF graph on the evolution of the foreign population in Portugal. 🇵🇹💡As a reminder, Portugal has 10.34 million inhabitants (figure from the latest national census in 2021).

𝟙What is IMI? The municipal property tax, known in Portugal as IMI - Imposto Municipal sobre Imóveis - is calculated on the basis of the Tributary Property Value (VPT for Valor Patrimonial Tributário, indicated on the caderneta predial) of urban and rural buildings located on Portuguese territory. IMI percentages vary according to the nature of the property acquired and the municipality in which it is located. The applicable IMI rate: varies between 0.3% and 0.45% of the VPT for urban buildings, is 0.8% for goods belonging to the "prédios rústicos" category. IMI must be paid by the owners whose names appear in the caderneta predial (land register) on the 31st of December of the year to which the tax relates. Thus, for a purchase made on 27 December 2021, in 2022, the person responsible for paying the IMI for the year 2021 is the person who purchased the property on 27 December. 📅 IMI is an annual tax that must be paid according to the following schedule: Up to €100: 1 payment, made in May; More than €100 and less than or equal to €500: 2 payments, in May and November; More than 500 €: 3 payments, to be paid in May, August and November. The request for payment of IMI is sent to the taxpayer by post. You can also access it via your personal area on the Portal das Finanças website. 𝟚 What is IMT ? The IMT - Imposto Municipal sobre as Transmissões onerosas de imóveis - is a municipal tax related to the transfer of properties located on Portuguese territory. The IMT rate varies according to the nature of the property purchased and its purpose of acquisition. The tax varies from 0% to 8% depending on the tranches. https://info.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/pt/informacao_fiscal/codigos_tributarios/cimt/Pages/cimt17.aspx The IMT is calculated from the value indicated in the deed of purchase (value of the property) or from the VPT (Valor Patrimonial Tributário, which reflects the real value of a property in a given year). The basis of calculation refers to the higher value. The payment of the IMT must be made by the buyer at the time of the acquisition of the property. Unlike the IMI, which is an annual tax, the IMT is only payable once, at the time of the purchase (Escritura) of a property. Before signing the deed of acquisition of the property, the purchaser must ask the Portuguese Tax Authority (Autoridade Tributária, AT) for the payment forms (guias) of the IMT and the Imposto do Selo (stamp duty: fixed tax of 0.8%). 💡 Note that in Portugal you will also find the acronym IMT to refer not to a tax on property transactions but to the Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (http://www.imtonline.pt/), the body responsible for issuing driving licences in Portugal.

Since 30 October 2022, non-European digital nomads wishing to work remotely from Portugal have the possibility, under specific conditions, to apply for a visa. Legal text: Law 18/2022 of 25 August 2022, amendment to the Law on Foreigners in Portugal https://dre.tretas.org/dre/5038031/lei-18-2022-de-25-de-agosto Please note that this visa does not apply to citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, who, if they settle in Portugal for a period of more than 3 months, must have their C.R.U.E. (Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia) issued within 30 days of the 90th day of their stay in Portugal. The "digital nomads" temporary residence visa can be applied for by non-European foreign workers if they meet the following conditions: be an employee or self-employed professional working remotely, work for a foreign company with its domicile or registered office outside Portugal, the employment relationship or the services relationship, as the case may be, must be demonstrated, live and work in Portugal for a maximum of 12 months (after 1 year, you will have to apply for a resident permit), provide proof of monthly income for the past 3 months - must be at least 4 times the Portuguese minimum wage, i.e.: for the year 2022: 2820€ net/month (mini PT salary = 705€) for the year 2023: 3400€ net/month (mini PT salary = 760€) Holders of this "digital nomads" visa can thus live and work legally in Portugal and are exempt from visa requirements in the Schengen Area*. The creation of this new type of visa in Portugal has already given birth to 2 dedicated Associations: “Digital Nomads Association Portugal” (DNA Portugal) “Lagos Digital Nomads” (in the Algarve region) respectively directed by Gonçalo Hall and Joana Glória. By establishing a specific residence permit for digital nomads, Portugal joins some twenty countries including Estonia (a pioneer in this field), Georgia, Greece, Malta and the Netherlands. Learn more about the term "digital nomads": Digital nomads are people who are not dependent on location and who use technology to do their work, leading a nomadic lifestyle. Digital nomads work remotely, telecommuting, rather than being physically present at a company's headquarters or office. The average age of this category of workers is 35. The term "Digital Nomad" was coined in 1997 in a book called The Digital Nomad, written by Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners. Their book prophesied the invention of a single, all-powerful communication device that would allow employees to work from anywhere. *Signed in 1985 and implemented in 1995, the Schengen Agreement allows for the free movement of people and harmonises controls on travellers within the area formed by these states. 26 countries are members, of which 22 are also members of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland (non-EU), Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein (non-EU), Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway (non-EU), Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland (non-EU). The 5 EU Member States that are not part of the Schengen area are Croatia, Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus. Source: Toute l’europe.eu https://www.touteleurope.eu/

Don't miss the European Heritage Days that will be held in Portugal on 23, 24 and 25 September 2022. The theme for this edition is : Sustainable Heritage. A great opportunity to participate in visits, conferences, exhibitions, workshops and street activities throughout the country. Note that some of the activities will require prior registration. To find out about the programme, a tool with a geographical filter has been set up: http://w3.patrimoniocultural.pt/jep2022/digital/ Click on the "PROCURA" (search) tab in the middle of the page to select the city and the type of activity you are looking for. A taste of the guided tours available: Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, Lisbon Aqueduct das Águas Livres, Lisbon Santos Palace, French Ambassy, Lisbon Guided walk from Farol de Alfanzina to Lapa Tower, Carvoeiro Parque das Águas, Porto Casa do Infante, Porto Fountains of Coimbra, Parque Verde, Coimbra … More than 360 activities are listed. 🇪🇺 The European Heritage Days are a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Enjoy discovering new places!

“My driving licence” = 🇵🇹 “A minha carta de condução”. In Portugal, the competent Authority for issuing driving licences is the Institute of Mobility and Transport (IMT). 🗓 From 1 August 2022, if you hold a driving licence issued by an OECD* country or by a member of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP)** : You can drive in Portugal with your driving licence until the end of validity indicated on your official document. You no longer need to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Portuguese one. However, you must register your residence in Portugal with the IMT. This registration must be completed within 60 days of your move to Portugal. ⚠️ATTENTION: the Decree-Law nº46/2022 (https://dre.pt/dre/detalhe/decreto-lei/46-2022-185971761) stipulates that the non-obligation to exchange a foreign driving licence for a Portuguese one does not apply if your driving licence was issued or renewed more than 15 years ago and if you are over 60 years old! - - - If you live in Portugal and have already exchanged your driving licence for a Portuguese one, don't forget to check the expiry date on your Portuguese driving licence: You can apply for the revalidation of your Portuguese driving licence within 6 months before the licence expires. You will be required to revalidate your Portuguese driving licence on the following dates: at age 50 (without presentation of a medical certificate), at age 60 (with presentation of a medical certificate), at age 65 (with presentation of a medical certificate), at age 70 (with presentation of a medical certificate) and every 2 years thereafter. If you miss the deadline and drive with an expired licence, you are committing a traffic infraction! 💶 Cost charged by IMT to obtain a new Portuguese driving licence: €15 for drivers aged 70+; €30 for other drivers. 💡 Don't hesitate to ask me to help you with these matters at the IMT! 🛣 "Have a good trip" = 🇵🇹 "Boa viagem"! *OECD countries: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK. **CPLP countries: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique.

At the beginning of July, I had the opportunity to go on a boat trip to rediscover, with as much pleasure as ever, a part of the magnificent coast of the Algarve. I recommend departing from the lovely Carvoeiro beach ⛱ - easier in terms of access and parking 🚘 - than leaving from Benagil. For a truly top-notch excursion, nothing beats scheduling this trip during low tide and in the morning so you can access as many of the caves along the way as possible. The ocean is often more agitated 🌊 in the afternoon. The boats that will take you there generally have a capacity of 9 passengers. This is an ideal size of boat to be able to get into the different caves. As an indication, in high season, count on: 20€/adult for the trip from Carvoeiro Beach to Benagil Cave → 1 hour excursion ⏱ → visit of about 10 caves. Passing by the beaches of Centeanes, Carvalho and Benagil. 25€/adult for the trip from Carvoeiro Beach to Marinha Beach → 1h15 tour ⏱ → visit of about 15 caves. Passing by the beaches of Centeanes, Carvalho, Benagil (cave included) and Marinha. 👀 Considered one of the most beautiful sea caves in the world, the "Algar de Benagil", with its large open dome, is indeed worth a visit 🤩. Several companies 🚤 ⚓️ are active on the spot, I opted for "Carvoeiro Tours" whose official website is 💻 : https://carvoeirotours.com/ Little bonus 😁 🍦 when you return from your excursion: Fancy an artisanal ice cream? Then don't miss the little shop "Palacio do Cône" just a few steps from the entrance of Carvoeiro beach. The whipped cream and the waffle of the ice cream cones are home made! 📍The address: R. do Paraíso 4 8400, Carvoeiro. Boa descoberta!

I am sharing with you 2 addresses of restaurants that I have been frequenting for several years now. No stay in the Algarve is complete without a pleasant meal with family or friends at Refúgio Do Vicente or at O Barco. In these 2 restaurants - which have a large terrace ⛱ - you can enjoy Algarve specialities in a friendly atmosphere, surrounded by locals and regulars. 👉🏽 At the Refúgio Do Vicente, less than 5 minutes by car from Albufeira-Ferreiras Station🚊, among the varied a la carte proposals, I particularly recommend: o “arroz de tamboril” = monkfish rice, a “espetada de lulas/tamboril com camarões” = squid/ monkfish brochette with prawns, a “sopa de peixe” = fish soup served with its small pasta, a “picanha com abacaxi” = picanha meat with pineapple, o “tornedó com legumes e batatas fritas” = excellent beef tournedos with vegetables and chips. 👉🏽 At the O Barco restaurant, 5 min. 🚗 from the very vast beach of Galé, you can enjoy your choice of: delicious grilled fish: dourada, robalo, sardinhas, atum (sea bream, sea bass, sardines, tuna), the succulent "cataplana de peixe e mariscos" (fish and shellfish) served in a sauce simmered with onions, tomatoes, peppers and coriander, tasty brochettes of squid or chicken in piri-piri sauce, the traditional "bacalhau" accompanied by its "batatas a murro" (small potatoes browned in the oven). 🍮 🍰 For those with a sweet tooth, you should know that at these two addresses, they also bake "in-house". Among the sweets that will make you take notice: “bolo delicias do algarve com figos, alfarroba e amêndoa” = traditional Algarve cake with figs, carob and almonds, “bolo de bolacha” = cake made from "Maria" biscuits soaked in coffee, mango mousse, “pudim” = the unmissable egg flan, red fruit cheesecake, ... and many other temptations that you can choose from in the shop window of these two typical restaurants. 🤤 Your mouth is already watering? Then it's over here 🗺👇🏽 : 📍Refúgio Do Vicente Estr. da Nora s/n, 8200-559 Albufeira Tel : 289 034 527 ⚠️ Closed on Mondays. 📍O Barco Right next to the Coviran supermarket. EM 526, 8200-373 Albufeira Tel : 289 591 086 ⚠️ Closed on Sundays.

The App "Na Minha Rua Lx" (= "In My Street Lisbon "), available on Apple Store and Google Play, enables residents to report everyday problems in their neighbourhood to the Lisbon municipal services. You can thus directly identify a situation in the public space relating to : Urban hygiene: bulky items, rubbish, graffiti, cutting weeds on the pavements, cleaning up dog mess, requesting containers for buildings, changing the collection frequency of waste separation containers, ... Public lighting: intermittent or faulty lighting,... Public roads and accessibility: obstacles for people with reduced mobility, cycle track, damaged roadway,... Public safety and noise: potentially dangerous animals, abusive parking, illegal occupation of the public highway, noise from neighbours and on the public highway, abandoned cars,... Trees and green spaces: handling and installation of street furniture... Sewerage: leaking drinking water in the public space, damaged gutter, damaged sewer cover, ... Handling/repair of municipal equipment: sport, culture, education. It is possible, but not obligatory, to attach a photo to your description of the problem. In order to be able to report a problem, you will first have to register online, in a few seconds via "Crie um novo utilizador" ("create a new user"). Information to be provided: Email/Name/Password/Telephone contact. Once your request has been encoded in the application, you will receive an e-mail confirming that your request has been registered and forwarded to the department responsible for analysing it. Once the problem has been solved by the Town Hall or the Junta de Freguesia, you will receive an e-mail notification. 📞 👨🏻‍💼 Alternatives to the App for reporting a problem in your neighbourhood: By phone on 808 203 232 or 218 170 552 from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 8pm. By going to one of the municipal offices ("lojas de atendimento municipal" by appointment only using this platform https://informacoeseservicos.lisboa.pt/contactos/agendamento-de-atendimento) or directly to the relevant Junta de Freguesia (search via the "Delimitação das Freguesias" tool on https://www.lisboa.pt/municipio/freguesias). ✋🏻🇵🇹 The application is only available in Portuguese. 📍🚧👷🏻‍♀️ The interactive map allows you to see the problems already reported by other residents, and their status (being analysed, being executed, solved). Make sure you use it! 🤳🏽

ℹ️ Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) includes : Acupuncture. Dietetics/phytotherapy. Moxibustion: a method of applying heat to specific areas of the skin to stimulate acupuncture points. Tui Na energy massage: Tui means "to push" and Na, "to grasp"; these are the two most common types of manipulation used in this massage. Tai Chi/ChiKung. Depending on your pathology, Manuel João Pinheiro, Specialist in Traditional Chinese Medicine, can provide you with an acupuncture session and/or very targeted massages. In my case, the feeling of well-being, relief and muscle relaxation is always immediate after the treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture can be used in the following situations: fatigue, stress, allergies, chronic pain, cardiovascular, rheumatological and gastrointestinal diseases... If necessary, this therapist can also advise you to take natural food supplements. 🥼ℹ About the doctor - Manuel João Pinheiro : Teaches in Lisbon at the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ESMTC), near Estefânia. Has over 20 years of clinical practice experience. Holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (China). Is a calming person, a very attentive listener and always takes great care of his patients. Signs of the quality and satisfaction of the care provided: his schedule is always very busy and his patients of all ages are very loyal. Speaks Portuguese and English and has a good understanding of French. 🗓 📞 To make an appointment: Contact the practice directly on + 351 919 986 634. If the therapist is not able to answer, because he is busy with a consultation, do not hesitate to leave a message or send a text message with your contact details and he will get back to you as soon as possible. 👉🏼📍Adress : Rua das Nespereiras, 17 Bicesse - 2645-548 Alcabideche. 🚘 ⏱ Directions : Plan on about 15 minutes by car from the historic centre of Cascais. Count on a short half hour drive from the centre of Lisbon.

Suffering from cervical pain, when I go to the Algarve, I always take the opportunity to make an appointment with my chiropractor: Dr. Sandra Genest-Boudreau 👩🏼‍⚕️ The technique The doctor in chiropractic is specialised in the detection and correction of subluxations. The chiropractor corrects the subluxation in order to restore the body to its optimal functionality. Corrections are made by means of adjustments. The adjustment is a precise, gentle and modulated manoeuvre that is applied with light force to the areas where the subluxations need to be corrected. I can confirm that the manipulation is gentle, painless, quick and effective. It is important to "get readjusted" regularly. Prevention is always better than cure. The patient profile is very diverse 🤰🏻🏄🏽‍♂️🏌🏼‍♀️🤸🏼👶🏼 🧗🏼‍♂️🚴🏼‍♂️ 👨‍👧‍👦 In this very cosy practice, where Portuguese, French and English are spoken fluently, it is not uncommon to come across very young patients (including newborns), accomplished sportsmen and women (golfers, surfers, mountain bikers, gymnasts, etc.) or even mothers-to-be. The Team For the past 5 years, my spine and I have been regularly treated by Dr. Genest-Boudreau. Sandra is a very gentle person and a good listener. Native of Canada, she moved to Portugal several years ago. At the cabinet, you can also be treated by her associate, Dr. Christophe Olivier Alves. 🗓 📞 To make an appointment You can contact the very sympathetic Vanessa Guia who will answer you in 🇵🇹, 🇫🇷 or 🇬🇧. Phone number : + 351 969 397 375 Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/algarve.quiropratica 📍The address "Algarve Quiroprática" - E.N. 125, Prédios Areias, Loja B, Pêra. 💻 For a 3D virtual tour of the beautiful cabinet and consulting rooms, click here👇🏼https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=FprewGEXWGX&fbclid=IwAR0fmZgMc22tRrQqvoZxZEowdgPay7HGKuT4EpHjqiTfORy6Gi3RcYBAYSU

In Portugal, the term IRS ("Imposto sobre o Rendimento das Pessoas Singulares") is used to refer to personal income tax. This tax applies to the income of citizens residing in Portugal and to non-residents who obtain income in Portugal. As of 1 April each year, the taxpayer, identified as a "sujeto passivo", is invited to fill in his "Declaração de IRS" (modelo 3) for the income of the previous year. The taxpayer has until 30 June of the year in question to submit, in Portuguese and online only, his IRS declaration on the Portal das Finanças https://www.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/ . Beware, by submitting the IRS after this date, the taxpayer is liable to a fine of between €150 and €3,750. Once the IRS declaration is completed, the taxpayer confirms its submission by clicking on "Entregar". It is possible to check the status of the declaration, in the "Consultar Declaração" option, as soon as you receive an e-mail from Finanças informing you that the declaration is validated. Indicative schedule : July: the Tax Authority (AT for Autoridade Tributária) validates the declaration. Refund: about 20 days after submission. Tax must be paid before 31 August of the year in which you file your tax return. Before 15 February, declare any change in the number of people in your tax household (agregado familiar). Before 25 February each year, in order to be eligible for refunds, the taxpayer must check online that his invoices and receipts have been correctly encoded in the appropriate expenditure sector (health, catering, transport, ...) on the Portal das Finanças. Before 15 March, you can choose the entity to which you will deposit 0.5% of your IRS, and, if you wish, your VAT refunds. Monitoring the process : On the Portal das Finanças, once you have submitted your declaration, you can follow the successive stages of its progress online through the "Movimentos Financeiros" section: declaration validated (within about 5-10 days) declaration processed (refund amount to be received or paid is identified) refund issued (tax authority has made the transfer) payment confirmed (actual payment into your bank account). Income categories in Portugal : Category A = dependent work income (for employees, automatic IRS) Category B = labour income for self-employed persons (no automatic IRS) Category E = capital income Category F = property income Category G = capital gains Category H = pensions NHR (Non Habitual Residents) status : The taxpayer has to file a tax return and declare all income, even exempt income: declare foreign pensions, rents, capital gains, sales of shares, life insurance redemptions, etc. The system will take care of exemptions. NHR: Annex L. If the taxpayer has no income : It is still necessary to complete the IRS declaration to report foreign bank accounts (with Annex J, box 11.). If no income and no foreign bank account, then no obligation to file an IRS declaration. If you are an employee or pensioner with an annual income of less than €8,500 without withholding tax, then you do not need to fill in the IRS declaration. ⚠️ Obligation to declare foreign bank accounts : The taxpayer must declare not only the bank accounts of which he/she is the holder but also those for which he/she has power of attorney to make transactions. Financial transactions between EU countries and other countries are monitored by the respective tax authorities, in particular with a view to combating tax fraud and money laundering. It is not illegal to hold a bank account or life insurance policy in another country, but there are penalties for not reporting it to the tax authorities when filing a tax declaration. All bank accounts or life insurance policies used abroad are covered by this reporting obligation. This obligation applies even if the account has been closed during the year. If you are a tax resident in Portugal, you must therefore enter this information on Annex J. If you have omitted it, you should make an amending declaration. Income from abroad : To be reported in Annex J. 4 years : This is the period to which the Portuguese tax authorities can go back to verify the elements of the declaration. In Portugal, each child has a NIF and personal access codes to the online Public Finance system: This is particularly important in order to be able to deduct the school's expenses in the tax household. Any questions? Visit the "E-balcão" : In case of specific questions, the taxpayer can ask them directly online on the dedicated space of the Portal des Finanças. Follow these indications: on https://www.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/, once you have logged in to your space via "Iniciar Sessão" with your NIF and your access code, fill in the search field where it says "Indique o que pretende efetuar" (next to the loupe) and type "e-balcao"; then in front of "Atendimento e-balcão" click on "Aceder". To ask a new question click on "registar nova questão".

A few months before I moved to Portugal in 2019, I started looking for the best way to learn to speak Portuguese. Before I decided to leave Belgium, during my various stays in Portugal, to facilitate communication with the locals, I had used the DuoLingo application. It certainly allowed me to familiarise myself with the basics and common vocabulary, but the application offers an introduction to Brazilian Portuguese, with pronunciation and terms that are sometimes quite different from Portuguese spoken in Portugal. After benchmarking the various existing solutions, I opted for ISTA - Instituto de Artes e Letras de Albufeira, in the Algarve. This language school also offers tutoring for schoolchildren in various subjects and music courses for all ages. ISTA's assets : Choice between group courses (in small numbers) or "one to one" formula. Dynamic teachers who are very attentive to the needs of learners; many thanks to Maria, my teacher who became a friend, for her patience, her good humour and her teaching which enabled me to learn the language at great speed. Quality of teaching: ISTA is an extracurricular educational institution recognised by the Ministry of Education of the Portuguese Republic. At the end of the course, it is possible to obtain an official certificate attesting to the number of hours completed and the level reached. The school is managed by the very sympathetic Sérgio Felício. The prices are very competitive with the existing offers on the market in the Algarve. Almost 3 years after taking my last course at ISTA, I am now fluent in Portuguese, but I have not forgotten that it was the solid foundations I acquired at this school that allowed me to quickly adapt to the country. Whether you are a complete beginner or already have some basic knowledge, do not hesitate to contact ISTA ⤵️ : 📍The address : Av. do Ténis 13, 8200-011 Albufeira (near the dolphin roundabout for those who know the area). 💻 Their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/istalinguas/