Anyone moved to Portugal/Europe post Brexit?

[Tothepoint99]

Just that really. Looking into moving with DH, and primary school aged 2DC for a year.

This is a dream to us atm but something we would like to do in a couple of years.

Is there something like a UK movers job website, or companies that employ English speaking Brits?

What about visas? How do people go about staying longer than the tourist allowance of 90 days?

[Tothepoint99]

@Overseasinvese

Apologies for reactivating this thread. We are in the process of purchasing a property in Algarve with the purpose of moving there in a few years when we retire. We would like to rent it in the meantime and would like to know what things do we need to consider? I understand we need to get an AL licence, is this only for short term rentals or longer term rentals? is this easy to get ? what other things do we need to consider? what are the taxes for property rentals?

Thank you for reactivating! Can't believe it's been over a year since posting it. Time really flies and maybe the Portugal dream is closer than I think! Hope the property purchase is going well.

[sofasofa42]

There is a fantastic fb group- immigrants in east algarve ( formally East algarve expats) that has a wealth of knowledge.

[Oceanus]

@Overseasinvese I'm glad I helped. AirBnB wasn't for me but if you can make it work for you, that's where the money is.

[Overseasinvese]

@Oceanus

I'm up north so my advice's pretty limited when it comes to actual brick and mortar shops in the Algarve! You reeeally need to pick your linen in person so I'd avoid getting any of it online unless it's a repeat purchase. When it comes to sheets don't get something very difficult to iron.
For furniture look at charity shops. Older furniture was handmade and made to last. You can get amazing things if you look around. There are beautiful carved beds and tables but the dark wood makes it look bad, a bit of paint (you can have a look at Leroy Merlin to get an idea for prices) and off you go. Personal tip: if you're doing the painting yourself remember to use a primer. Most furniture here is made of noble wood so you need a primer. Avoid chairs with pillows.
For kitchenware go to IKEA but have a look at your nearest big supermarkets too, avoid cheap clay for plates. For couches (get something to protect the couch, if you can't buy it, have it made, the $$ will be worth it) and matresses have a look at Conforama (do not get these from IKEA) and keep an eye out for promotions which are year round.
Avoid the urge to add knick-knacks to make the decor look better, they take time to clean and they also get pinched/broken... Leroy Merlin has these massive rolls of vinyl you can get cut to measure, they're much better than actual fluffy rugs for keeping clean and they look fab on the floor.

Thank you for all the advice; that’s super helpful

[Oceanus]

I'm up north so my advice's pretty limited when it comes to actual brick and mortar shops in the Algarve! You reeeally need to pick your linen in person so I'd avoid getting any of it online unless it's a repeat purchase. When it comes to sheets don't get something very difficult to iron.
For furniture look at charity shops. Older furniture was handmade and made to last. You can get amazing things if you look around. There are beautiful carved beds and tables but the dark wood makes it look bad, a bit of paint (you can have a look at Leroy Merlin to get an idea for prices) and off you go. Personal tip: if you're doing the painting yourself remember to use a primer. Most furniture here is made of noble wood so you need a primer. Avoid chairs with pillows.
For kitchenware go to IKEA but have a look at your nearest big supermarkets too, avoid cheap clay for plates. For couches (get something to protect the couch, if you can't buy it, have it made, the $$ will be worth it) and matresses have a look at Conforama (do not get these from IKEA) and keep an eye out for promotions which are year round.
Avoid the urge to add knick-knacks to make the decor look better, they take time to clean and they also get pinched/broken... Leroy Merlin has these massive rolls of vinyl you can get cut to measure, they're much better than actual fluffy rugs for keeping clean and they look fab on the floor.

[Overseasinvese]

@Oceanus

I you're renting long-term you don't need an AL license. Otherwise, you need to register with the Portuguese equivalent of the HMRS (finanças) as an individual entrepeneur (empresário a título individual) -this depends on how much you're planning on making tbh, there might be more suitable options and this will be key to deciding how/when taxes are paid (an accountant might be able to advise more)- then you take that paper to the city hall plus I think a couple other papers (to do with ownership and with the house being suitable for living, those you should have if you've bought recently) and then you register for an AL permit at the city hall (this usually takes a few weeks). Then you take that no. and you register with SEF (UKBA equivalent). Then you can officially advertise your house.
Keep in mind the fact that some councils are limiting the "AL permits" they're issuing (this is a relatively new thing). In fact, in some very touristy places you can't get one at all anymore, so long-term renting is your only option or renting rooms to Erasmus students, if your place is in a very central location (that way you can still use the house in the summer) but then parties are a problem, or you can also rent to phd/ research students because they're interested in rentals that only last a few months and those are very hard to find anywhwere, they are usually more mature so likely to take better care of your place. Tip: get a cleaner you can trust to go in a keep an eye on things regularly and befriend the neighbours if possible. The cleaner is a must for you if you're not going to be here to keep an eye on things.
If your place is in the Algarve, be careful with how you price it. Too cheap (per person) and you'll get drunk rowdy teenagers...
Be aware that courts do not work well, so lawyers are hit and miss (it's the one thing I must mention is very very different from the UK). If sh*t hits the fan you're on your own. Suck it up, suck it in, take a deep breathe, cry a little and move on. Forget about taking it to court even if you're right. Get a shrink to help you get over things, it's cheaper than a lawyer and will benefit you more in the long run. Lawyers attached to the estate agents work for them at the end of the day not for you, specially in Portugal, never ever forget that.
Another tip: get all your linen from places that sell to hotels. They will last longer and I've realised they're also surprisingly cheaper than Primark. I know it's going to be your long-term place eventually but while you're renting to tourists avoid IKEA furniture. It's not sturdy enough, get real wood from second-hand places and have it painted/refurbished otherwise it's a money pit because people can be shocking effing wild pigs when on holiday.
Good luck with your new house and welcome to Portugal.

Thank you; great advice; really appreciate it. If you have recommendations of where we can buy the linen and furniture that would be really helpful. We are buying in East Algarve.

[Oceanus]

I you're renting long-term you don't need an AL license. Otherwise, you need to register with the Portuguese equivalent of the HMRS (finanças) as an individual entrepeneur (empresário a título individual) -this depends on how much you're planning on making tbh, there might be more suitable options and this will be key to deciding how/when taxes are paid (an accountant might be able to advise more)- then you take that paper to the city hall plus I think a couple other papers (to do with ownership and with the house being suitable for living, those you should have if you've bought recently) and then you register for an AL permit at the city hall (this usually takes a few weeks). Then you take that no. and you register with SEF (UKBA equivalent). Then you can officially advertise your house.
Keep in mind the fact that some councils are limiting the "AL permits" they're issuing (this is a relatively new thing). In fact, in some very touristy places you can't get one at all anymore, so long-term renting is your only option or renting rooms to Erasmus students, if your place is in a very central location (that way you can still use the house in the summer) but then parties are a problem, or you can also rent to phd/ research students because they're interested in rentals that only last a few months and those are very hard to find anywhwere, they are usually more mature so likely to take better care of your place. Tip: get a cleaner you can trust to go in a keep an eye on things regularly and befriend the neighbours if possible. The cleaner is a must for you if you're not going to be here to keep an eye on things.
If your place is in the Algarve, be careful with how you price it. Too cheap (per person) and you'll get drunk rowdy teenagers...
Be aware that courts do not work well, so lawyers are hit and miss (it's the one thing I must mention is very very different from the UK). If sh*t hits the fan you're on your own. Suck it up, suck it in, take a deep breathe, cry a little and move on. Forget about taking it to court even if you're right. Get a shrink to help you get over things, it's cheaper than a lawyer and will benefit you more in the long run. Lawyers attached to the estate agents work for them at the end of the day not for you, specially in Portugal, never ever forget that.
Another tip: get all your linen from places that sell to hotels. They will last longer and I've realised they're also surprisingly cheaper than Primark. I know it's going to be your long-term place eventually but while you're renting to tourists avoid IKEA furniture. It's not sturdy enough, get real wood from second-hand places and have it painted/refurbished otherwise it's a money pit because people can be shocking effing wild pigs when on holiday.
Good luck with your new house and welcome to Portugal.

[Overseasinvese]

@Oceanus

I lived in the UK but moved back to Portugal a few years ago (I'm Portuguese btw). The thing about Portuguese culture is that we're incredibly biased (in a good way) regarding foreigners. There's this allure of excitment about people being from somewhere else and that should help you to settle here.
Legally, you should get a job before moving here BUT in reality it's actually easier. You can come and visit for 3 months (with the regular holiday VISA, you don't have to apply because there's a treaty between both countries). During those 3 months you can then look for a job and then you take that contract to the "SEF" (that's the Portuguese equivalent to the UKBA) and you'll be given a temporary VISA while you wait for the permanent one. If the boss wants you, they won't be bothered about you not having a permanent VISA because it's not difficult to sponsor a worker (although Portugal is all about red tape it's not for this).
It shouldn't be this easy, but it is. I first started noticing a lot of Brazillians working at the mall even before the pandemic and then finally asked the cable guy and he told me "this is how it's done".
The most important is whether you have a skill, that companies want. Depending on what you want to do, not speaking Portuguese won't be a problem.
Registering with a GP isn't an issue from the legal point of view (you don't need a permanent visa) i.e. it's easy but it depends on them having a vacancy and therein lies the problem that'll likely make you despair at times.
Resgistering with a school won't be an issue either.
Renting will be a problem. For the first 3 months you're better off renting an AirBnB. I'm a landlady and if I were to rent for a short-term I'd up the rent so I'd expect others to do the same.
Good luck!

Apologies for reactivating this thread. We are in the process of purchasing a property in Algarve with the purpose of moving there in a few years when we retire. We would like to rent it in the meantime and would like to know what things do we need to consider? I understand we need to get an AL licence, is this only for short term rentals or longer term rentals? is this easy to get ? what other things do we need to consider? what are the taxes for property rentals?

[Oceanus]

*important thing

[Oceanus]

I lived in the UK but moved back to Portugal a few years ago (I'm Portuguese btw). The thing about Portuguese culture is that we're incredibly biased (in a good way) regarding foreigners. There's this allure of excitment about people being from somewhere else and that should help you to settle here.
Legally, you should get a job before moving here BUT in reality it's actually easier. You can come and visit for 3 months (with the regular holiday VISA, you don't have to apply because there's a treaty between both countries). During those 3 months you can then look for a job and then you take that contract to the "SEF" (that's the Portuguese equivalent to the UKBA) and you'll be given a temporary VISA while you wait for the permanent one. If the boss wants you, they won't be bothered about you not having a permanent VISA because it's not difficult to sponsor a worker (although Portugal is all about red tape it's not for this).
It shouldn't be this easy, but it is. I first started noticing a lot of Brazillians working at the mall even before the pandemic and then finally asked the cable guy and he told me "this is how it's done".
The most important is whether you have a skill, that companies want. Depending on what you want to do, not speaking Portuguese won't be a problem.
Registering with a GP isn't an issue from the legal point of view (you don't need a permanent visa) i.e. it's easy but it depends on them having a vacancy and therein lies the problem that'll likely make you despair at times.
Resgistering with a school won't be an issue either.
Renting will be a problem. For the first 3 months you're better off renting an AirBnB. I'm a landlady and if I were to rent for a short-term I'd up the rent so I'd expect others to do the same.
Good luck!

[livingonpurpose]

I looked into relocating to Portugal with young ds a few years back. In the end I decided against it as it was very hard to find long term rentals - they can charge so much more for the same properties in the high season, that many will only let over the winter. I was worried at the potential of being being made homeless or forced to pay extortionate holiday let prices over the high season.

So my recommendation would be to carefully research housing options.

[Tothepoint99]

Thank you folks.

I quit fb a while back but with look at YT.

[Boosterquery]

I have no idea what the rules for Portugal are, but I would suggest searching for relevant groups on Facebook. (This is based on having come across a FB group that is a very useful source of information for applying for a visa in France.) In the case of France it would generally be difficult to get a visa that would allow you to work as an employee. Broadly you would need to find an employer that was willing to apply for permission to employ a non-EU citizen. The employer would need to show that it had advertised the post and been unable to find an EU national to fill it. However, each EU country will have its own immigration rules dealing with immigration of non-EU nationals. I don't know how Portugal's rules compare to those of France.

[toomuchlaundry]

How old are the DC?

[Wombat98]

Go on YouTube, lots of vlogs on there with expats & people advising. Portugal actually looks relatively straightforward for an extended visa. No personal experience tho.

[Tothepoint99]

@MissAmbrosia

You'd be better off asking this to be moved to the Living Overseas section for better advice. Normally now you need a visa and medical etc to move to the EU. Why would you do it for a year? Especially with primary aged children. The hassle will be immense especially for school etc. As someone who moved abroad, it can take a long time to "settle".

Thanks. Didn't know there was a living overseas section.

Well it's just an idea at the moment. Nothing decided.

[blankittyblank]

Posted too soon! I know he's also having an issue with taking his car there and working for his uk firm (he can only work there for 3 months without paying tax in Spain also). Which of course makes sense if he's using their services, but I know it's been a lot more complicated than it was was pre-brexit.

[blankittyblank]

Do you own a property? My English has Spanish residency, but is struggling to know how to move there long term as he owns a at which he will have to pay tax in Spain if he rents it out in the uk (or something along these lines

[MissAmbrosia]

You'd be better off asking this to be moved to the Living Overseas section for better advice. Normally now you need a visa and medical etc to move to the EU. Why would you do it for a year? Especially with primary aged children. The hassle will be immense especially for school etc. As someone who moved abroad, it can take a long time to "settle".