The following list contains all of the fantastic websites and also a few selected books, which have helped us before, during and since our move to Portugal. If any readers feel something should be added, please leave a comment!
Essential Books to Buy
Moving to Portugal: How a young couple started a new life in the sun – and how you could do the same OUR book! If you buy nothing else, please buy this! US readers can find it here.
Buying Property in Portugal Full of valuable advice.
Au Revoir Angleterre: Making a Go of Moving Abroad A really useful reality check before making the move.
Live & Work in Portugal Essential reading – banking, healthcare and other red-tape!
Teach Yourself Portuguese (TY Complete Courses) A language course we had some success with.
Language
Lusa Language School (Lisbon): https://www.lusaschool.com/
English Papers
As well as local news, these papers are a valuable source of classified ads where you could find cars, property, including long term rentals, and, if you are very lucky, jobs!
THE PORTUGAL NEWS: http://www.theportugalnews.com/
THE ALGARVE RESIDENT: http://www.algarveresident.com/main.asp
GET REAL WEEKLY: http://www.getrealweekly.com/
INSPIRATIONS ALGARVE (Lifestyle Guide and what’s on listing) http://www.inspirationsalgarve.com
Portuguese Banks
It is worth noting that several of the Portuguese banks have branches in London so people moving from the UK may be able to arrange their bank account before their arrival.
BANCO ESPIRITO SANTO: http://www.bes.pt/
CAIXA GERAL DE DEPOSITOS: http://www.cgd.pt/Pages/default.aspx
MILLENIUM: http://www.millenniumbcp.pt/
BARCLAYS PORTUGAL: http://www.barclays.pt/
SANTANDER TOTTA PORTUGAL: http://www.santandertotta.pt/
Property Purchase
GUIDE TO PROPERTY PURCHASE: Information on the process. http://www.portugal-info.net/info/buyingselling.htm
PURE PORTUGAL: Primarily property in central Portugal, also has offers rental properties. http://www.pureportugal.co.uk/
GEKKO PORTUGAL: Property listings and a lot of information about living in Portugal. http://www.gekkoportugal.com/
CASA SAPO: Huge classifieds site. http://casa.sapo.pt/
Property Rental
EAST ALGARVE: Letting agency based in Tavira, one of few agencies with an online list of long term rentals. http://www.east-algarve-property-rentals.com/eng-long-term-rentals.htm
RENTAL PROPERTY ON EXPATS PORTUGAL: Mostly in Central Portugal. http://rentals.expatsportugal.com/
(also see classified ads in English papers above, all available online and the Sapo classified site, as listed above.)
Portugal Villas – Affair Travel is an ATOL protected villa rental company offering a wide range of short-term villa rental in Portugal.
Cars
MATRICULATION: Good forum thread on successful matriculation of a UK car: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=659653&page=2
SAPO: Huge classifieds site, many second hand cars searchable by area: http://auto.sapo.pt/carros/
DRIVING LICENCES: Important forum thread regarding driving on a UK licence: http://www.expatsportugal.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9399
(also see classified ads in English papers above, all available online.)
Car Hire
ZEST CAR RENTAL – We use this provider more than once a month – prices are good and cars are fully insured.
https://www.zestcarrental.com/click/?adm=389&adt=14
Tax and Finance
FINANCAS: English language area of Financas site including guide to Portuguese tax system. http://info.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/NR/rdonlyres/F2D76036-A62A-4BEF-9AA3-6A7B34F53371/0/Portuguese_Tax_System_CEF.pdf
TAX RATES: New tax rates following 2010 budget. http://info.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/NR/rdonlyres/F2D76036-A62A-4BEF-9AA3-6A7B34F53371/0/Portuguese_Tax_System_CEF.pdf
BLEVIN FRANKS: High end (apparently expensive) company offering international tax advice. http://www.blevinsfranks.com/
HMRC – Moving Abroad section of UK HMRC. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/tax-leave-uk.htm
THIS IS MONEY – A detailed article about pensions, tax and savings when moving abroad. http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/mortgages-and-homes/homes-abroad/article.html?in_article_id=423182&in_page_id=505
Healthcare
AFPOP – The “Association for Foreign Residents and Property Owners in Portugal” has special rates with a number of health insurance providers.http://www.afpop.com/
PPP AXA – Offer several Europe and worldwide health insurance policies .http://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/international-health-insurance
NHS LIVING ABROAD – A very useful guide to what you are entitled to in terms of medical carewhen you move to Portugal from the UK. http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1963.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=159
NHS FORM CA8454 – An essential form to fill in for those resident in Portugal but still working in the UK. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/ca8454.pdf
Residencia
YOUR EU – Interesting site with details of right of residency etc. http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=460
SEF – English language section of SEF website. http://www.sef.pt/portal/V10/EN/aspx/page.aspx
TAVIRA IMMIGRANT PORTAL – An attempt by Tavira Camara to put all info in one place. http://imigrante.cm-tavira.pt/index.php?mlingua=en
Forums
Such a useful source of information!
EXPATS PORTUGAL: www.expatsportugal.com
BRITISH EXPATS: http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=89
EXPAT FORUM.COM: http://www.expatforum.com/expats/portugal-expat-forum-expats-living-portugal/
Blogs
These blogs from people already living in Portugal, provided us with so much information and inspiration while we waited to move.
Emma’s House in Portugal http://www.emmashouseinportugal.com/
Portugal Smallholding http://www.portugalsmallholding.org/
Piglet in Portugal http://pigletinportugal.wordpress.com/
Living the Dream http://livingthedreamportugal.blogspot.com/
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