SOME REASONS TO
CHOOSE PORTUGAL
Climate
Lisbon has a mediterranean climate, with 260 sunny days per year and average temperatures between 8ºC (winter) and 28ºC (summer).
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Portugal is characterized by a warm temperate, mediterranean climate with a distinct wet season in winter.
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During winter, Portugal experiences a average daytime maxima of about 16°C. On average 5-6 hours of sunshine can be expected per day.
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A gradual warming-up process takes place during the spring months, daytime average maximum temperatures reaching up to 22°C by May. There are 10 hours of sunshine daily, on average.
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During summer months, Portugal receives refreshing sea breezes, making for very pleasant conditions. Daytime maximum temperatures reach 25°C, 11-12 hours of sunshine can be expected, and there are as many as 29 dry days per month, on average.
The northern region benefits from the Atlantic cyclones. Southern and eastern areas are dominated by the subtropical anticyclone that allows temperatures to rise up to 40°C during summer. As in other regions, September and the first part of October form an extension of summer. Daytime average maximum temperatures can still be as high as 26°C, but will have fallen back to about 17°C by November. Daily sunshine hours fall back from about 9 hours in September to about 5-6 hours in November. The end of the autumn has reverted to being a wet period, with about 12-17 dry days on average per month.
Safety & Security
Portugal has been placed on the ‘Peace Podium’ after once again climbing up the latest Global Peace Index, after a rise to fifth in 2016, when it was also the country with the biggest improvement in Europe.
The Global Peace Index 2017 found that Portugal was now the third most peaceful country in the world, after Iceland and New Zealand and better placed than Austria and Denmark.
The index gauges global peace using three broad themes: the level of safety and security in society, the extent of domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarization.
Portugal’s score was boosted by a reduction in political instability following its exit from the EU/IMF economic and financial adjustment programme.
Possibly connected to Portugal’s strong showing in the peace stakes, is news that the tourism industry is once again bracing for unprecedented success this year.
Major tourism indicators should rise in the coming six months, with China leading the growth among international markets. Strong performances are further expected from the French, German and American markets.
The terrorism map shows Portugal as a low risk country – an “oasis” surrounded by European and North Africa.
The overall crime statistics show the lowest rate of Europe. Crime has been steadily decreasing since 2008.
In terms of visitor perception, surveys found an overwhelming number of tourists considering the Algarve as a very safe place to visit. Other surveys classifies as “very safe” all the territory, including the biggest cities (Lisbon and Oporto).
Hospitality
World Travel Awards has considered Portugal the Best European Destination of 2017.
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Portuguese people are recognized by their natural hospitality. Always available to help and opening their arms (and their life) to foreign, new and good people, Portuguese people like to show and offer the best they have.
Informal yet respecful and politeness, its easy to speak in English, Spanish or French with almost everyone.
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The stores and restaurants, in a shopping mall for example,
close around 10 p.m. or even 12 p.m. on certain weekdays.
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No person waits for the tourist to ask for help. If anyone notice you're lost, usually offers proactively some guidance.
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‘’A country where people speak the
language of their guests, always
keen to discover and innovate, who
take action to build a more open
and connected world, always
available to get to know new
people, new things, always seeking
to learn more and to do better‘’
(in villaferia.com).
Infrastructure
Generally, Portuguese infrastructure is modern and working properly.
For the last decades, there was a serious investment in different strategic areas, regarding give the population
the right equipment.
Road network is modern and there are highways to any part of the territory. The state has been desinvesting on the railways fro the last decades, remaining less more than the connections between the main regional and national cities.
There are three airports in continental Portugal (Lisbon, Oporto and Faro). Because of the rising service demand, specially in Lisbon, there is an approved project for the construction of another airport serving the capital.
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Based on the aggregate score for all metrics in the Infrastructure pillar of the Global Competitiveness Index, for 2016-2017 period, infrastructure general quality is rated 5.5 (in a scale of 1-7, best - Source: World Economic Forum; Global Competitiveness Index).
That's t's exactly the same rate of all the group of "developed countries" of the index.
Taxation
Portugal provides an excellent quality of life for the modern investor or executive. The tax regime for individuals is very attractive, surpassing other regimes in many ways.
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Portugal is becoming a top choice for Ultra and High Net Worth Individuals who wish to take up residence in the European Union.
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The low effective tax burden, further enhanced by the regime for non-habitual residents, the free remittance of funds, the friendly residence permit regime and the possibility to apply for Portuguese nationality and, consequently, a EU passport, make Portugal a very attractive location. As a result of its liberalism and multicultural approach, Portugal maintains very close links with the rest of the world, including Africa (Angola, Mozambique and Cape Verde), Asia (China, including Macao) and South America (Brazil).
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Some examples of tax benefits
1. 20% flat rate for certain Portuguese source income and an exemption for almost all foreign source income, available to non-habitual residents.
2. Tax exemption for gifts or inheritances. Inheritance or gifts to other individuals will be either not taxable, or subject to a flat 10% stamp tax rate.
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3. No wealth tax and free remittance of funds either to Portugal or abroad. Nil taxation on dividends with proper planning.
4. Beneficial tax treatment for pensions and other life insurance products.
5. Companies licensed to operate in the Madeira International Business Centre, including branches of non-resident entities, can benefit from a 5% CIT rate until 31 December 2020.
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6. The reduced CIT rate applies on income derived from transactions with non-residents (limited to thresholds of taxable income and depending on the creation of jobs).
7. Portuguese companies may take advantage of EU non discrimination rules and EU Directives on mergers, dividends, interest and royalties, as well of Portuguese double tax treaties.
8. Portugal has signed more than 60 double tax treaties, as well as more than 50 investment protection agreements. It has more than 15 tax information exchange agreements signed (most of which are already in force) and several social security
agreements, offering interesting opportunities in a tax friendly environment.
Quality of life
Portugal has the best quality of life in the world for expats.
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"If you’re thinking of quitting your job where you live and moving abroad for a new life and career, then Portugal is apparently the place to be." [Quartz Media LLC - US]
According to one of the world’s most comprehensive reports - Expat Insider 2017 - on expats, Portugal has the best quality of life in the world.
InterNations, the networking group which conducted the survey, defines expats “in the classical sense of employees on a corporate assignment.” It had 13.000 respondents, representing 166 nationalities.
They were asked to rate and provide information on what it’s like to live and work in 65 countries that are considered key destinations for expats.
Scores were calculated on 43 factors, including quality of life, ease of settling in, cost of living, and healthcare, to get an overall ranking.
Other criteria are made up of safety and security, health and well-being, personal happiness, as well as travel and transport. Portugal got the highest score, making it number one, before countries like Spain, Singapore, Japan, Austria, Switzerland and Germany, among others.
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According to the survey, 93% are satisfied with their life abroad in Portugal and is one of the easiest places in the world to settle in. 89% say they are also are generally happy with their life, and the work-life balance is greatly helped with the “kind people, nice weather and food, as well as the beautiful places to visit,”.
History & Culture
Throughout the country are visible 875 years of history, with all its contrasts, cultural heritage, influences and customs.
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Many different groups have occupied Portugal throughout the centuries, leaving their mark on the unique culture of Europe’s oldest nation-state.
Family is of the utmost importance to most Portuguese, and many people combine their Roman-Catholic religion with ancient superstitions.
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History
Portugal’s oldest documented human settlers lived during the middle of the Ice Age about 30,000 BC. Around 700 BC, the Celts became the first of many groups to invade and conquer the land. During the centuries to come, Portugal would be occupied by the Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths, and Moors, in that order. One of the most lasting souvenirs from the Moorish era is the famous Castelo de São Jorge, towering over the highest of Lisbon’s seven hills.
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A relatively peaceful period lasted from 711 AD to the 11th century, when the Moors were expelled out of most of present-day Portugal. The country was officially declared an independent nation in 1143 in the northern city of Guimarães, with King Afonso Henriques elected the first monarch.
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Lisbon became Portugal’s national capital in 1255 and home to the country’s first university in 1290. After expelling the Castilians from Spain in 1385 and for about two centuries, Portugal not only grew into one of the world’s most powerful maritime nations, but established colonies such as Brazil, Malacca (Indonesia), Goa (India) and Macau (China). This was a golden age.
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Portugal’s period of conquest and discovery ended after King Philip II of Spain declared himself king of Portugal during the late 16th century. Although a 1640 coup, Spain did not formally recognize their reclaimed independence until the 1668 Treaty of Lisbon.
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Although Portugal lost its domination over the lucrative Asian spice trade to the Dutch, the country’s fortune changed following early 18th century gold and diamond discoveries in Brazil.
The huge 1755 earthquake and resulting tsunami completely destroyed much of Lisbon and killed thousands of people. The British, with whom Portugal had a centuries-long alliance, helped keep Napoleon’s forces out during the end of the 18th century so they could begin to rebuild.
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King Manuel II, Portugal’s last reigning monarch, went into exile after a democratic republic replaced the government in 1910. A 1926 military coup placed dictator António de Oliveira Salazar in power where he remained until 1968. Salazar’s successor, Marcello Caetano, was deposed in a bloodless 1974 coup known as the Carnation Revolution, and Portugal has been a modern free nation ever since.
Culture
The Portuguese take great pride in their food, family and fashion. Many Portuguese are conservative and very polite during the day, but let loose after the sun sets in Europe’s liveliest nightclubs. The Portuguese drinking age was only recently raised to 18.
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Fado is the best known musical genre, which is melancholy guitar. Centuries of talented Portuguese artists are displayed not only in the galleries, but also in the elaborately illustrated "azulejos" decorating many walls and buildings, as well as the "calçada" tiles on Portugal’s cobblestone streets. There is even a National Tile Museum in Lisbon to see this unique art form.
Geographic location
Portugal is the western entrance of Europe. Geographically located between Europe, America and Africa, it's economically hard to be better located.
Portuguese historical and political relations, along with its geographic location offers a privileged entrance in Europe, by overseas citizens and businesses.
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In the middle way between Central Europe, Americas (specially South America) and African markets, it has one of the best located maritime ports of the old continent - Sines.
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Regarding its limits, the Atlantic Ocean provides enough "protection" against ilegal activities, as long as it has only one land border (with Spain), which avoid neighborhood conflicts.
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This "little corner planted by the seaside", little in area but huge in heart, is far enough but not too far from Europe and the European Union decision center.
Gastronomy
Inner part of the culture and heritage, Portuguese gastronomy, much more than just food, is a national banner and a mean of national union.
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Food in Portugal is a serious affair. While the world may discuss what historical landmarks deserve to be among the 7 Wonders of the World, some people (not only from Portugal) keeps themself busy highlighting the 7 Wonders of Portuguese Gastronomy.
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Portugal’s cuisine is as rich and varied as its landscape. The most distinctive feature of Portuguese cuisine comes from the sea. As you enjoy a simple grilled fish, always fresh like the seafood that abounds from end to end along the coast, you can be sure that you are in Portugal! Any fish or seafood dish is an excellent choice.
For meat dishes, there is always flavour, although respecting the product itself. There are excellent DOP (Protected Denomination of Origin) meats, from north to south, whether it’s beef, pork, chicken, turkey, rabbit or lamb.
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The variety is so big, that it's virtually impossible to speak about one single dish. There's fish, seafood, meat, vegetables, sausages, cooked in every possible way.
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Vegetables and fruit also preserve the taste of the old times, and some also have the DOP label, especially as many are produced organically.
Portuguese olive oil is of prime quality and is part of every dish, including cod (for which it is said that there are 1001 recipes!), which we excel at preparing and enjoying.
Each dish is matched to the right wine. The whole country produces exceptional wine and, while Port wine is famous, the Douro, Alentejo and many other table wines are no less superior.
The cheeses are of the best. While Queijo da Serra (mountain cheese from Serra da Estrela) tops the bill, all the cheeses from Centro de Portugal, Alentejo and the Azores are delicious.
The sweets, whose roots go back to the many convents where they were originally prepared, even today make us “give thanks to heaven”. Pastel de nata (custard tart) is a must. Delicious with coffee, drank in the form of espresso.
At the end of a meal, why not to make a toast with some Port or Madeira, fortified wines that have been spreading Portugal's name to faraway lands for centuries. Or with an excellent sparkling wine produced in Portugal, to celebrate a memorable meal provided by the country’s talented chefs.
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Its just a matter of tasting and enjoying...