Living in Portugal – Page 2

A dispensary storefront in Vancouver, Canada

Can I Get Marijuana for Medical Purposes in Portugal?

P, a Portugalist reader, contacted Portugalist to ask whether there was any leeway for those that have a prescription for it from outside of Portugal and are using it for serious medical reasons. In this case, cancer treatment. She’s not the first person to ask. Many people visiting Portugal or considering moving here, particularly from the US and Canada, have similar questions. And given the number of people that approach you on the streets of

Question Mark concept with hand on blue background

Can I Get a Mortgage for Portugal’s Golden Visa?

Portugal’s golden visa is an extremely tempting way to obtain residency in Portugal. In return for purchasing a property in Portugal (qualifying prices start at €280,000 but are typically €500,000 or more) those from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can obtain residency in Portugal. But one question many people have is whether or not you can get a mortgage to buy that golden visa property. According to Camille Ramiere from Bloom Spaces, “golden visa

Mortgage advisor speaking to a couple in his office

All You Need to Know About Mortgage Interest Rates in Portugal

Having a home in Portugal can be an excellent investment, both financially and in terms of quality of life, but interest rates make a difference. When interest rates are low, your monthly payments are likely to be lower and you may be able to borrow more. But when interest rates are high, your monthly payments go up while your affordability goes down. For most banks, interest rates for variable mortgages are calculated by taking the

Man in white t-shirt trying to calculate his mortgage costs with a calculator

Portugal Mortgage Calculator: Check How Much You Could Borrow

Are you thinking about purchasing a property in Portugal but are confused about how much you’re able to borrow? Buying a property in Portugal can be confusing, but don’t worry: Portugalist is here to help. Use our mortgage calculator below to estimate: *This part of the process requires more information. A mortgage broker will get in touch to discuss your income and expenses in order to calculate how much you’re able to borrow. Why We

Woman sitting on floor and unboxing Amazon boxes delivered with Amazon Prime

Is Amazon Prime Available in Portugal?

Yes, Amazon Prime is available in Portugal. However, there are a few important points to note. Firstly, there is no Amazon Portugal. You would be getting a Prime membership with Amazon Spain, which offers free-two day delivery to Portugal on many items. Two-day delivery might not sound particularly fast if you’re used to next day or even same day delivery, but it’s the fastest option currently available to shoppers in Portugal. Read more about Prime

Are there Costco Stores in Portugal?

Costco doesn’t have a store in Portugal, at least currently. There are, however, Costco stores in neighbouring Spain. Although Costco has stores in a handful of locations in Spain, the most popular store for people living in Portugal is the Seville store. If you live in Faro, the drive time to Costco in Seville is just a little over 2 hours. If you live in Lisbon, the drive time is around 4.5 hours, depending on

5 Reasons to Use A Mortgage Broker in Portugal

You don’t have to use a mortgage broker to get a mortgage in Portugal – you could apply in any bank in Portugal – but it often makes more sense for people, particularly foreigners, to use a mortgage broker. Here’s why. It Saves a Lot of Time Applying for mortgages can be a time-consuming process. And that’s particularly true if you’re a foreigner as most comparison websites are only available in Portuguese. Going from bank

Reviews: NIFPortugal.pt – A Cheap but Slower NIF Service

NIFPortugal.pt is a new website that promises to get your Portuguese NIF (Numero de Identificacao Fiscal) in as little as 14 days (previously 7 days). Most NIF services charge anywhere between €150 and €500 for this service so, given that NIFPortugal.pt only charges €80, it has attracted the attention of those thinking about moving to Portugal. It’s even cheaper than Bordr.io and E-Residence.com. However, the problem with NIF Portugal (to date, at least) is that

How Much Do Groceries Cost in Portugal?

Groceries are one of the biggest day-to-day costs that most people have and so you may be wondering how much it’ll cost you to do your weekly shopping in Portugal. Most people assume it’ll be cheaper – after all, wages are lower in Portugal – but that often depends on where you’re coming from and where you shop. Groceries are cheaper when compared to the US and Canada, but that’s not necessarily the case when

spraying black mould in the corner of a room with bleach

How to Deal with Black Mould in Portuguese Homes

One of the downsides of living in Portugal during winter is that properties can be cold and damp and these conditions often lead to mould, particularly black mould. This usually forms on the walls and ceilings, but it can also form in and behind bookcases or the bed, which is why you need to regularly do a deep clean to keep on top of it. Due to a lack of ventilation, bathrooms are particularly prone