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Porto’s decision to make public transport free for its residents has attracted far more interest than expected. Just days after the program launched, municipal service offices were flooded with people applying for the resident card required to access the benefit. Since last Friday, free travel has been available to everyone registered as a taxpayer in… Continue reading Free Public Transport in Porto Proves So Popular That Residents Are Lining Up for It
Category: News
Braga Becomes the First City in Portugal to Remove Shared E-Scooters. Why It Went Against the National Trend
While most Portuguese cities are trying to adapt to shared e-scooters, Braga has decided to take a step in the opposite direction. The municipality has terminated its contracts with scooter operators and given them 60 days to remove around 500 scooters from the streets. However, this is not a permanent ban but a temporary suspension… Continue reading Braga Becomes the First City in Portugal to Remove Shared E-Scooters. Why It Went Against the National Trend
One Less Queue: NISS Is Now Issued Directly at AIMA
Since the end of July 2026, immigrants no longer need to make a separate visit to Segurança Social to obtain a NISS (Social Security Identification Number) — the number required to work legally in Portugal and access social benefits. The systems of AIMA and Segurança Social are now directly connected. If you attend an appointment… Continue reading One Less Queue: NISS Is Now Issued Directly at AIMA
Free Heated Seawater Pool Reopens on Gaia Beach
Great news for Porto residents. You can now enjoy a swim in Atlantic seawater without freezing. The heated seawater pool on Canide Norte Beach in Vila Nova de Gaia has reopened for the season. The pool is built directly on the sand and filled with seawater heated to 28–29°C using solar energy. A full beach-resort… Continue reading Free Heated Seawater Pool Reopens on Gaia Beach
Portugal Becomes Home to the World’s Fourth Certified Therapeutic Forest
On Friday, July 17, the Mata Nacional do Bussaco located in the municipality of Mealhada, will officially become the first certified therapeutic forest on the Iberian Peninsula and only the fourth in the world. Until now, this status had been awarded to just three forests: Benediktinerstift in Austria, and Lahnstein and Bad Nauheim in Germany.… Continue reading Portugal Becomes Home to the World’s Fourth Certified Therapeutic Forest
Rules for Airbnb and Booking Hosts in Portugal Have Changed
Attention to anyone renting out or subletting property in Portugal. Until recently, Airbnb and Booking primarily served as sources of information for the tax authorities. Now, they have also become part of the government’s enforcement system. Since May 2026, online rental platforms have been required not only to report hosts’ income to the authorities but… Continue reading Rules for Airbnb and Booking Hosts in Portugal Have Changed
Lisbon Named One of the World’s Three Best Cities to Live In
It is a nice feeling to know you live in one of the world’s best cities. Lisbon has ranked third in Monocle magazine’s annual list of the world’s most liveable cities. Only Copenhagen and Tokyo (which took first place) finished ahead. The authors of the ranking do not ignore Lisbon’s biggest challenge: the cost of… Continue reading Lisbon Named One of the World’s Three Best Cities to Live In
Expats’ driving licences are no longer valid until 2040. The rules have quietly changed
What happened without any press releases or official announcements affects every resident permit holder who drives in Portugal. Since 8 June, Decree-Law 114/2026 has been in force, and it contains a little-noticed provision that changes the rules: the validity of Portuguese driving licences issued to non-EU citizens is now tied to the validity of their… Continue reading Expats’ driving licences are no longer valid until 2040. The rules have quietly changed
Do you have to pay tax on Bitcoin in Portugal? The tax authority has now clarified the rules
Portugal’s Tax and Customs Authority (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira, AT) has published detailed explanations on the taxation of cryptoassets. The document does not introduce new taxes: it organizes the current rules for private investors, miners, companies, and holders of digital assets. Here is what the guidance explains. Key points from the published guidance … Continue reading Do you have to pay tax on Bitcoin in Portugal? The tax authority has now clarified the rules
Portugal Named Europe’s Best Retirement Destination Again
The Retirement Abroad Index 2026, an annual ranking of the world’s top countries for retirement, has been released. Portugal ranked fourth globally and first in Europe. Only the Philippines, Thailand, and Colombia placed higher. What gives Portugal the edge? ● One of the world’s safest countries (according to the Global Peace Index) ● High-quality, affordable… Continue reading Portugal Named Europe’s Best Retirement Destination Again
