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A growing number of elderly homeowners in Portugal are selling their properties while retaining the right to live in them for the rest of their lives. The model was introduced in late 2024 by Empathia, a company founded by Pedro Almeida Cruz. It allows seniors to access substantial funds without leaving their homes. In its… Continue reading Portugal Sees Growing Demand for Home Sales With Lifetime Residency Rights
Category: News
Lisbon’s Belém Tower Reopens After Restoration
Finally, the scaffolding has been removed from one of Lisbon’s most iconic landmarks. Lisbon’s Belém Tower has reopened to visitors after nearly a year of restoration work costing more than €1 million. The official reopening ceremony took place on Tuesday, while the monument opens to the public today. During the restoration, conservators carried out the… Continue reading Lisbon’s Belém Tower Reopens After Restoration
Portugal has seen an unexpected side effect from abolishing the manifestação de interesse system — a mechanism that for years had been the main way for many foreigners to legalize their status.
The idea was fairly simple: a person would arrive in Portugal, find a job, start paying taxes, and then apply for a residence permit while already living in the country. Not through a consulate or complicated visa schemes, but based on the fact that they were already living and working there. For thousands of migrants,… Continue reading Portugal has seen an unexpected side effect from abolishing the manifestação de interesse system — a mechanism that for years had been the main way for many foreigners to legalize their status.
Portugal Issues Yellow Heat Warning as Temperatures Surge Across the Country
Portugal’s weather agency IPMA has issued a yellow heat warning due to persistently high temperatures. Forecasts for central and southern parts of the country exceed 30°C, while temperatures in the Tagus Valley could reach 40°C. Despite the extreme conditions, the event does not yet meet IPMA’s scientific definition of a heatwave, which requires at least… Continue reading Portugal Issues Yellow Heat Warning as Temperatures Surge Across the Country
Holders of Portuguese residence permits can now go through passport control together with EU citizens
Russian-speaking immigrant chats in Portugal are discussing a possible change in airport passport control procedures. According to travelers, holders of Portuguese residence permits can now use the lanes for EU citizens instead of waiting in the general queue for passengers from third countries. Several people have already confirmed that they used this option both on… Continue reading Holders of Portuguese residence permits can now go through passport control together with EU citizens
Sistema Volta Deposit Return Scheme Collects 400,000 Containers in First Month
The new Sistema Volta deposit return scheme collected 400,000 plastic bottles and aluminum cans during its first month of operation, far exceeding organizers’ expectations and outperforming similar European programs. Launched on April 10, the initiative allows consumers to return containers of up to three liters through 2,500 automated machines, 8,000 manual collection points, and 48… Continue reading Sistema Volta Deposit Return Scheme Collects 400,000 Containers in First Month
SNS 24 Launches Access to Five Years of Public Healthcare Spending Data for Patients
Patients using Portugal’s public healthcare system can now see how much the government has spent on their medical treatment over the past five years through the SNS 24 mobile app and online portal. The database includes all registered healthcare services, such as visits to family doctors and specialists, laboratory tests, medication, hospitalizations, hemodialysis procedures, dental… Continue reading SNS 24 Launches Access to Five Years of Public Healthcare Spending Data for Patients
Banks in Portugal to Respond Faster to Customer Complaints
Portugal’s financial regulator, Banco de Portugal, has introduced unified rules requiring banks to respond to all customer complaints within a maximum of 15 working days. Previously, deadlines varied depending on how complaints were submitted: claims filed through a bank’s complaint book had a 15-day limit, while cases sent directly to the regulator could take up… Continue reading Banks in Portugal to Respond Faster to Customer Complaints
Government to Raise Student Scholarships and Change Calculation Rules
A new higher education support model will take effect in the 2026/2027 academic year, with government funding rising to €220 million, up 53% from the current budget. The average annual scholarship will increase to €2,660. Financial aid will be calculated based on tuition, housing, food and transport costs in each municipality, minus the amount a… Continue reading Government to Raise Student Scholarships and Change Calculation Rules
Portuguese Law Firms Form Consortium to Challenge Immigration and Nationality Law Changes
Four Portuguese law firms — Paxlegal, Liberty Legal, RME Legal and Fieldfisher Portugal — have formed a consortium to defend immigrants affected by recent amendments to Portugal’s Foreigners Law and Nationality Law. Lawyer André Miranda said the firms united because clients across different offices face similar legal problems. The consortium is preparing at least four… Continue reading Portuguese Law Firms Form Consortium to Challenge Immigration and Nationality Law Changes
