Wish I could help you with that one, but I don't have the answer. Something tells me since they left, their contract would be null and void, but you may need to prove that if you want them not to come back. I would start to put together any documentation you have (emails, sms, letters) and discussing with a lawyer. Here is a list of English-speaking Portuguese lawyers in Lisbon.PS - I would love it if you updated us on the situation. I am sure you will help plenty of other landlords to deal with their tenants in Portugal.Wishing you tons of luck!Blanca

Hi R,Good luck with your upcoming exam! I am thrilled to see that you found the information on taking the Portuguese test for residency helpful.I no longer have the practice exams my teacher had me practice with, but if you go to the CIPLE site, there is a sample of the A2 test on the bottom of the page where it says "Exemplo do Exame".Make sure to check back in and let me know how you do!Blanca

Hi Karen,Glad to hear that you found this article on how to rent an apartment in Lisbon helpful. As a matter of fact, there is an article on the site about what it is like to live in different neighborhoods in Lisbon. All of them have their charm, it just depends on what you are looking for. I opted for a less touristy, quieter neighborhood that's flat. Hope the article helps. If you have any q's on those neighborhoods, just leave a comment.Blanca

Hi Emma,I checked the CTT website and there was absolutely nothing about what to do when you don't know what's in the package. Maybe ask your friend who sent the package what was in there.I know the CTT allows you to forward within Portugal for an extra cost. This depends on the shipping code (if it starts with C, G, L, O, R, U or V) you are able to go through with the forwarding. I'm not sure if this service applies to other countries, but there was nothing on their site that said they would not. Maybe drop them a line and ask. Here is a page on the CTT site with more information.Good luck!Blanca

Si les coûts sont trop élevés (et que vous effectuez le processus via le site Web ctt), vous pouvez renoncer au dédouanement. Cliquez simplement sur "Retourner l'article".

I hear you on this Yvonne. It is a complete pain. I have told all my friends to send me no gifts. It's just not worth the hassle. You may be able to have them ship it to you, but they will charge you more for this "service".Yeah, I found out about that as well. I usually send New Year's presents, when I went to the CTT I found out that you "need" to fill out the form online. However, on the website, I read that they can do it at the CTT, but you get charged I think an extra 5 euros. I think the clerks don't want to bother and don't care if CTT gets the upcharge to take care of it for you. I just wrote out the process on how to send a package from the CTT to the US because it took me about an hour to figure out how to navigate the site and the process. Such a pain.And I have no freaking idea why they are making things harder, maybe to keep the bureaucracy tradition alive? Only reason I can think of 😉

I don't think you can purchase the Portuguese complaints book, It would be awesome if they had it for sale right? You can access it online here, but they don't have business listings and the negative or positive reviews.

No worries Victoria, Portuguese is a challenging language. It isn't just the grammar, but all those sounds that make up the language. In Latin-American Spanish, things sound as they are written, not so in Portuguese. The other issue I still have is hearing the words, in Portuguese, it is common to eat your vowels in informal (aka - every day) conversation, so it is easier to read and write than it is to pronounce. Definitely not your brain. I was lucky to find my tutor, Nuno. He is incredibly patient and we learn one on one. This has helped me incredibly to learn how to hear and speak. You can see a video of him and I going through some basic Portuguese phrases here.

Pleased to meet you,And thank you for the kind words, Craig. Yeah, her situation may be different. While Switzerland is not a part of the EU, but they may have a separate agreement. I'm not so well versed in Swiss-Portugal relations. That could be the reason they want to charge you more.I have a list of English speaking lawyers in Portugal who may be able to help you. I'm going to check with a friend that works with a company that helps people with a lot of these things. If she can help you, I'll make an intro.What kind of visa do you have? You may also be able to ask for an extension at the SEF depending on your circumstances. If you are a US citizen, you could also spend 3 months here, then leave for 3 months to a non-EU country (I would suggest Croatia which is lovely) and then you can come back. Do a little research on the latest laws on the Schengen Area. Last I read, you can't stay in the area for more than 90 days in a 180-day period. So you'll have to do a little math to figure out how long you can remain in the Schengen legally.Keep me updated.Blanca

Hi Jonny,I haven't updated the article in a while...but there is an addition I need to make. Also, check our MediaMrkt. There is a large one by Benfica Stadium.Happy shopping,Blanca

Mrina,You can also contact him on Facebook. This is his page.Blanca

We rented straight from the owner. As soon as we got out NIF, he went to the AT to make sure everything was properly documented. Yes, you can get a NIF before moving here, but as soon as you do, you become liable for taxes in Portugal. If you are a part of the NHR regime, you need to look into this. I would recommend that you speak with a Portuguese tax attorney since each case is a bit different according to the situation. I have a list of English speaking lawyers in Lisbon here.

Hi Vlad,Pleased to meet you. Here's the skinny - If you are granted a residence permit with the D7 visa, you cannot remain outside Portugal for 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months.When you go to your renewal appointments, there are a few items you need to bring. One of them includes a legal lease that is registered at the AT (tax authority - it has to be registered by your landlord-landlady).You can get more info on the first Portuguese D7 visa renewal appointment here.Blanca

Hi Rysiu,So...there are taxes and they are pretty high. Cars are cheaper in other countries, but eventually, you will need to register your car. It is at this point that you get hit by taxes.For example, EU nationals must register their car if they are the holder of the registration certificate, the owner of the vehicle, or a user of a vehicle you do not own. As an EU national moving to Portugal, you can use your vehicle here while it is still registered in your previous home country, BUT you have 20 working days to register your car in Portugal, following the car import into Portugal. This can be done at any customs office by showing the Vehicle Tax (Imposto Sobre Veículos – ISV) and by submitting the vehicle customs declaration (DAV) through the Portal das Finanças.If you register a foreign car in Portugal, you will need to pay both registration taxes (Imposto Sobre Veículos - ISV tax) and the road tax: (Imposto Único de Circulação - IUC). The direct sources are on those two links.The one thing I would recommend to save some money if purchasing a car in Portugal is to buy used. The first person to purchase the car has to pay a tax (I don't remember the name on this), but when you buy used since that tax has already been paid, the second person to purchase will not have to.There are also services where you can "rent " a car long term in Portugal. In those cases, the lease includes your insurance, some repairs, etc.Happy car shopping,Blanca

Hi Alberto,You should contact your local Portuguese Consulate or Embassy to get the info on what you need directly from them. I always recommend this since things change so quickly.Here's info from the SEF website:Two recent, identical photographs, in color with a blank background, and easily identifiable.Passport or any other valid travel documentWhenever the applicant is a minor or legally disabled person, the application should be submitted and signed by his/her legal representativeEvidence of sufficient means of subsistence, as per the provisions of Order number 1563/2007, of 11/12Evidence that the applicant has adequate accommodationPermission for checking criminal records, where the stay is intended to exceed 90 days (except people under 16 years old)Documentary evidence of having submitted an application for a Residence PermitEvidence of permanence in the national territory or, in case of unpostponable need of being in the home country, documentary evidence to that fact.Good luck with the process. I hope this resource (the SEF website) puts you in the right direction.Blanca

Hi Ian,Thanks for checking out my blog about moving to Portugal...prices have risen since I wrote the article. Principe Real, Chiado, and Avenidas Novas remain the most expensive neighborhoods. Rentals for 2 bedroom apartment will cost you between 1300-2000 Euros depending on the flat you choose.I keep this post on the cost of things in Portugal much more updated...and will update the rental one sometime this week. Thanks for the reminder :)Blanca

Hi Brian,Very good notes here. Definitely consult a Tax attorney. Even with the NHR if you are an independent contractor type of worker, you will still have to pay taxes on that type of income here in Portugal, so definitely something to discuss with your tax attorney. The NHR only makes certain types of income tax-free here in Portugal (and only for 10 years). So, if your income comes from a pension, dividends, interest, you do not get double taxed by Portugal. Rental income (example, you own a house in the USA and have it rented out) or capital gains on sale of a property, those are also part of the no double taxation on the NHR. But if you work, either as a freelancer or for someone...you will be taxed on that type of income. I would absolutely advise that you speak to your Portuguese tax lawyer, so that you can look into the particulars for your situation.Keep us updated!Blanca

Hi Jay,Thank you for your kind words. I wanted to make it easier for those looking to become expats in Portugal to make the move. So, as far as I understand it, you only need the letter of Financial Guarantor if you don't have enough funds to maintain you here in Portugal. It's a pretty difficult thing to get because the guarantor puts him or herself at risk. You will end up needing an accountant and lawyer in Portugal, so you can probably get your Portuguese tax attorney to represent you.And thanks for that update on the Portuguese travel insurance requirement for those who are requesting Portuguese residence visas. I think that the most difficult part of the process is that each embassy/consul has different processes.Keep me updated on how things go,Blanca

Hi Maria,You don't actually take the language test at the SEF. You need to sign up for the exam separately and bring your certificate with you to the SEF.I've got a list of places and online European Portuguese teachers here. Nuno is my teacher and I can vouch for him being amazing, so start by contacting him.:)Blanca

Hi Helo,Glad you liked the article. I used Google translate. The good thing was that most of the people who responded were English speakers.You need to get approval from your landlord and get it into the lease. You also will have to share your profits with your landlord if you are charging over your rental amount. I saw the rules for this somewhere, so give me a few days to see where I had seen it.Just in case, if you're looking to do an Airbnb type thing, read this article on how to run an airbnb in Lisbon first.Blanca

Hey Jonathan,So I am not a lawyer, but I probably would not mark single. For example, Antonio and I are not married, have never been married (to each other or anyone else), and we went through hell to prove that we were both in fact single, but in what we call "common law marriage". For this question about marital status when applying for the Portuguese Schengen Residence Visa, I would advise you to contact one of the lawyers on this list of English Speaking Portuguese Lawyers. With something like this, it is better to be safe than sorry, particularly because it may affect your tax-payer status in Portugal.Would love it if you updated here, you may help someone who is on the same boat.Good luck with your move,Blanca

You know. I did this all in 2017, and I have heard things have changed. There is a lot of back up due to Brexit etc...so they may have changed it to 60 days.If your country of citizenship has a special deal...then I guess you don't have to. I'm from the US so double taxation is not fun. You may want to check with a Portuguese tax lawyer to be sure as to how you will be affected by taxes coming from your particular homeland.:)Blanca

Hi Sofia,Looks like they updated the website and redirected the site. I did a search on their site for apostille and this page came up. That will be a good starting point to help you figure out how to get your apostille on your driving abstract. Did you take a driver's test in Portugal of TX?The article outlines the process...so just take a few minutes to read it through again. You have to request the transfer once you move to Portugal. You can't do it from the states, but there are documents from the states that you need to bring with you in order to be able to change your US license to a Portuguese one.Good luck on the move. You're going to love living in Portugal.:)Blanca

Hi Steve,Thanks for checking out the post. I actually have a whole blog post dedicated to how to get the Portuguese D7 visa. Mind you I went through the process in 2017, but check the comments. People have been adding their experience on this Portuguese residency visa since things change so fast. Hope it helps,Blanca

Thanks for the kind words, Alex!Just to be clear, I am not a tax expert or professional, so I am sharing what I have learned during my time here, but I definitely recommend that you speak to an English speaking tax attorney here in Portugal about your particular situation.First thing you need to look into is applying for the NHR status. If you are eligible, you will be taxed on fewer types of outside income. This is a biggie and I would suggest if you don't already have this done, that you look into it.If you get the NHR, you will still have to pay US taxes (we all do), but you won't be double taxed here on certain kinds of income such as rental income or retirement money.The tax scale varies here according to your income.The tax year runs from Jan 1 to Dec.This year (2018 taxes) had to be filed before July 1, 2019.If you live in Portugal for 183 days or more during the year you have to file taxes in Portugal on both local and international income.The taxes for you will vary if you are married, if you have investments, if you're an independent contractor...there are many many factors...so this is why I definitely recommend that you speak with a tax attorney.Hope this at least gets you on the right path.Blanca 🙂

Hi Rodney,Thanks for checking out the article. Glad it helped. So...the idea behind the D7 is that you are an individual with means to take care of yourself. You are not prohibited from having employment activities (say be a contracted worker or working as a freelancer), but...the jobs here in PT pay very little and are heavily taxed. If you apply for Portuguese NHR tax status, some forms of income are tax-free here in Portugal (example, if you own a property in the US and have a renter in there). Others are not. I am not a lawyer, and this article is a guide to get you started...so in this case, I would recommend that you contact an English-Speaking tax lawyer in Lisbon so that you can plan ahead and be ready for the potential tax liabilities. You want to be sure that you do everything right when it comes to taxes here and that you have no nasty surprises. Personal income tax here is progressive, meaning that it can reach up to 48% depending on your income. So be sure to ask about that. Hope this put you in the right path.Blanca

Hi Lucky,I think that should be enough for the Visa. That being said, every country has different requirements so it would be good to check with your local Portuguese consulate before applying. Depending on where in India you are from, you may also have an easier time getting the visa. Portugal has special agreements with former Portuguese territories - for example - Goa. Before you think of starting a business here (which is definitely doable), you should speak with a Portuguese tax attorney so that they can better explain the NHR status as well as the tax liabilities of running a business here. That way you can plan properly before making your move.Hope this sets you on the right path.:)Blanca

Hi Beth,So nice to meet you. It's not the easiest language, I've had a challenging time with it...but practice pays off. You can absolutely contact Nuno (he's awesome). This is his Facebook page. I think he will get you exactly where you need to be :)Blanca

Hi!I would start by changing my driver's license. I had to go 3 times to the IMTT to get it done and there is a small window between the time you get your first residency card before you are no longer allowed to exchange your foreign license for a Portuguese license. I hear the Portuguese driving license test is brutal, so I advise everyone to get this done asap.Blanca

The process is not difficult at all. I outlined the process on how to get health insurance in Portugal. I've also outlined some of the prices of healthcare in Portugal as well 🙂

Hi,I am here on a Portuguese D7 Visa, the way it is structured, I need to spend a good number of years while renewing that visa before I am eligible to apply for permanent residency...and then I'd have to apply for citizenship.:)

Hi Philippe,Had the same thing this entire weekend over by El Corte Ingles. There is an app called Na Minha Rua, this goes directly to the camara municipal of Lisbon. You can give this type of complaint and add pictures. They will update the ticket as they are working on it.Perhaps give that a try, or tweet the Camara.Let me know how it goes.Blanca

Hi Spencer,Sounds like you haven't gotten your D7 yet. This article on how to get your Portuguese D7 visa will put you on the right path. This article is from when I applied 2 years ago, but plenty of other people have commented with updates, so definitely take a few minutes to read through those.I am not a lawyer...so take this with a grain of salt, but each year the SEF is getting more strict.That being said, in PT, it all depends on who takes care of you. For example, I know someone who gets a pension. They get it on a monthly basis. At her appointment she explained this, showed them proof of pension, and the person at the SEF processed her extension.If you haven't yet gotten your first D7, the process will be easier. When you are approved, you come to PT and have to request an appointment for an extention since the first Visa is only valid for 4 months. The appointment may be many months later. This is not an issue.If you are just applying for your first visa, and not going to your first SEF appointment to extend it after you arrive, I think (but can't guarantee) that the Portuguese consulate will be lenient. When applying for the first visa, you probably won't have a Portuguese bank account, so there would be no way for you to transfer funds. At this part of your journey to moving to Portugal, the government wants to be sure that you are a law abiding citizen and that you have enough funds to take care of yourself.Check out the other article, and if you have questions on the process, just ask.:)Blanca

Hi Lucky,Thanks, Antonio and I figured that it would be good to share our experience. Our friends did the same and it helped us tremendously. Just as an FYI, I wrote up the experience for the process for applying for and getting the Portuguese D7 visa here. Just keep in mind I applied in 2017, so some things may have changed, but if you check out the comments, plenty of people have shared their experiences. I think this will answer most of your questions, but to get you started:1)How much pension ,funds (approximate good enough) needed for D7 visa,should it be pension or can it be balance in bank account also ok--the amount may have changed, but pension works just fine.2)D7 visa need to apply within portugal or from within my country--You need to apply at your local Consulate.3)how much time approximate it can take from start of processes to end--took me 10 months in total for the entire process, but most of that was gathering documents that were needed. The actual visa took us 30 days. Someone recently told me the wait now is 90 days because there are many applicants from the UK who wanted to get in before Brexit.Hope this and the other article help 🙂

Hi Bharat,You have to apply directly in your country at your regional Portuguese Consulate. This article on how to get the Portuguese D7 visa will get you started, but keep in mind that I applied 3 years ago. I suggest you read the comments from those who have commented on the post with their experiences.Would love it if you updated us once you go through the process.Blanca

Hi David,I'm so glad you like the blog. Antonio and I made so many mistakes when moving to Portugal that we figured we would share our experiences to help those looking to become expats in Lisbon. Are you in Lisbon or another city?Usually, government agencies are good here about getting things mailed out on time. If you haven't received information in a week, I would stop by the IMTT and ask about it. I find here the info you get depends on who you talk to at the particular authority you are at.So....the bad news. The test is given in Portuguese...the good news, you can have an Embassy accredited translator there. AFAIK - this is what goes into the driving test:3 part test:Theory – 30 questions in 35 minutesTechnical– 50 minutesDriving exam – 40-50 minutes with instructor and examiner present.You will be required to take 32 hours of lessons at a government-licensed driving school.Once you take those lessons, you can take the theoretical. Once you pass that (you need to get 27 out of 30 right) you can take the Portuguese driving test.You can find the list of Portuguese driving exam testing locations here.I hope this helps you out a bit.

Hi Tony,Not sure if you saw my response, but I may have someone who I trust that can help you with the health insurance. Let me see what they say. And sure. I actually just wrote an article on English-speaking lawyers in Lisbon, and plan on expanding the list. Are they here or in another city?Blanca

Hi Bharat,Thanks for dropping by the blog. Not sure about the lawyer fee, but I will ask around. We did all our paperwork ourselves...it is doable, but super time-consuming.Once you are approved for your visa (you do the application in your home country), as soon as you arrive, make the appointment with the SEF. I wrote about the process at our first visa renewal appointment at the sef.It really did not change much, but they want you to have moneys in a Portuguese bank now. That being said, you may need additional documents for other issues (for example filing taxes with the AT), so make sure to bring updated notarized copies of any documents you may need from your home country, for example: birth certificate, divorce certificate (if applicable), etc.You're not going to believe it, but I haven't gone that far north. I hear great things, but I hate cold weather, so I decided to stick with Lisbon. It will be less expensive in a city like Braga when compared to Lisbon.:)Blanca

Hi Volga,This was our process for applying for and being approved for the Portuguese D7 Visa. We've been here for two years and a few things have changed...but plenty of others who have followed our steps and updated in the comments. The process varies depending on where you are applying (country and state), but this blog should be a good starting point.If you want a company that can handle the entire thing for you, I can suggest someone as well.Blanca

You can try one of these schools. Nuno (who is on the video) is my teacher and he prepared me for the A2 exam. He was patient and runs classes online too. Here's the list of Portuguese classes for you.

There is a vibrant art community here in Lisbon and there are some nice classes out there. I'm sure someone would be interested. This Facebook group may give you more of an idea as to whether your business idea would fly. I would advertise on Facebook, Instagram, and the Facebook groups for expats that are out there (you can also advertise here...dm me if you want me to send you a rate sheet ;).

Hi Elizabeth,I put a list of the best Portuguese classes here. But I will tell you that I loved taking classes with Nuno. He is my private tutor, very fairly priced and he is creative and patient. He had me go through practice exams, we really focused on my weak points and I felt confident when I took my test. This is the link to his Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Portuguese-Lessons-In-Lisbon-239287946684149/;)Blanca

Hey Filipp,Absolutely, the cats were amazing. Charlotte's listing is below, she's super sweet too. When are you headed to Paris? If you haven't yet used AirBnB, don't hesitate to use my discount code. It gets you and me both credits towards our travels :)https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/43027?guests=1&adults=1Blanca

You'd love it here. I know I do. I just wrote up a post on the things you will hate about living in Lisbon (not Portugal). It may be good for you to check that out before moving. While I adore my life here, there are a few things that will enervate you, so it is always good to have a nice idea before moving. Before making a permanent move, I would also suggest testing out the country for at least 3 months. I slow traveled for years before making my decision to move here (and I had been to Lisbon at least 5 times). That being said, when you do come - message me. I'm always happy to meet more people.

Nice to meet you, Ed.Thank you for the kind words. Yours is challenging.1. how long do we have to wait to get residency permits to stay in Portugal?Depends on the type of residence visa you are requesting and your situation. For us, since we did a D7 Residence visa from the US, it took us 2 months to wait for the appointment, and then an extra 30 days for the approval. This is on top of the time it took us to gather all the paperwork we needed.My mom did the same visa but coming in from Colombia and her process was much easier and faster than it was with us. So there are differences with the process from one country to another.2. and then subsequent then how long before we can begin the process to exchange the licencesI would execute this as soon as you move to Portugal with your residence visa. The process will vary from state to state because of how the paperwork will be processed in the US...so if I were you, I would start to gather the paperwork as soon as you are approved for your visa. It will be much easier for you to get the necessary paperwork if you're in the US.Wishing you much luck in your move to Portugal. Keep us updated on your process...also, we have started a private area for those who want more personal advice and help with moving to Portugal.

Don't know much about the Algarve since I live in Lisbon (although I have been there and it is lovely). I did a search, and it looks like the bus companies in the Algarve are EVA Transportes, Rede Nacional de Expressos and Renex. You may want to contact them directly so you can get the most accurate info.

If I remember correctly, last time we went to Setubal, it cost €7 each way. This is the via verde site (it's like EZ pass) you can get direct info there

Hi Peter. Currently, Portuguese residents must renew their licenses when they become 50, 60, 65 and 70 (every two years after they turn 70 this includes a medical exam). She may be able to have her license transferred, but I'm not 100% sure on that. Before she arrives, make sure that she has her proof of validity apostilled. We got our exam from our private doctor. This may suffice for the IMT, but I'm not 100% on that. I could not find much info on the IMT website on your particular situation, but there was some on the European Commission website. Just make this a priority when you arrive so you have ample time in case they want more documentation or in case they want her to re-test.

Hi Kate, So nice to meet you. There is a nice (small group) on Facebook for artists in Lisbon. Not sure where you are located, but it is a very nice group.I'm not aware of welding courses, but I'll ask around and update here via reply. That should notify you 🙂

You're absolutely right about eating healthy. I love to eat and that means sometimes I eat things like that hot dog with mac n cheese that I found at Charlie in Lisbon...but that's why no matter where I travel I always join a gym...and Lisbon has a great set of gym options.