Portugal Web Directory

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.

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/