06
Nov 2017

Newsletter 6 PORTUGAL The Choice for a quality life

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PORTUGAL The Choice for a quality life

Lisbon, 7th November 2017

What Expats Think About Portugal

Today, there are an estimated 56 or 57 million expatriates worldwide, and the term “expat” is no longer limited to corporate assignees relocating from a company’s HQ.

And yes, it’s a fact , Portugal became appealing and trendy, but this time it is not the opinion of a few reporters who only enjoy sun and good food.

The findings emerge in the Expat Insider 2017 Survey, one of the largest surveys worldwide. With a ranking of 65 destinations is based on how these countries were rated by their expat residents. Its based in more than 12,500 respondents representing 166 nationalities and living in 188 countries or territories answered questions, providing unique insights into what it means to be an expat in 2017.

This year the Quality of Life Index features another breakout star: Portugal is one of the “biggest winners”, having managed to improve its overall position by 23 places and taking the top spot in this index.

In this survey Portugal as achived premium scores in some of the most important categories, such as peacefulness (1th); Leisure Options ( 1th), Personal Hapiness (1th); Feeling Welcome; Friendliness (1th);

Feeling Welcome Abroad chapter, with topicis such: I’m feeling at home in the local culture, It’s easy to settle down here, Its easy to get used to the local culture, Portugal get the 1th place between the 65 countries included in the  Expat Insider 2017 Survey.

Living the Good Life in Portugal

Portugal ranks 5th out of 65 countries in 2017, climbing an impressive 23 places. The Mediterranean nation mostly improved in the Quality of Life Index, where it makes it to first place, as well as the Ease of Settling In Index (4th place). Generally speaking, 93% are satisfied with their life abroad in Portugal and 29% even say that they are very happy with this aspect.

Portugal has improved across the board in the Quality of Life Index. Personal happiness had dropped in 2016 but shows significant improvements in 2017, landing the country in third place for this subcategory. In fact, 89% are generally happy with their life, while only 77% gave this factor a positive rating in 2016. When it comes to romance, expats in Portugal also have very little to complain about: 95% are generally satisfied with their relationship, compared to 76% in 2016.

According to survey respondents, the political stability in Portugal has vastly improved, contributing to the strong ranking in the Safety & Security subcategory: one third (33%) rate this factor as very good, compared to only 11% in 2016 — a positive perception that seems to be shared by the local population. While the results for personal safety were already well above the global average in 2016, 95% rate this factor positively in 2017 — an improvement of six percentage points..

Portugal is also number one when it comes to friendliness and feeling welcome. In fact, 88% generally agree that it’s easy to settle down in this country, while only 75% gave this factor a positive rating in 2016. One Brazilian expat appreciates the “kind people, nice weather and food, as well as the beautiful places to visit” in Portugal.

In addition, 89% find it easy to get used to the local culture in Portugal, compared to 74% in 2016. The general friendliness of the population (92%) and the welcoming attitude toward foreign residents (94%) are other factors which have significantly improved (87% and 82% positive ratings respectively in 2016).

EUROPE Portugal Spain Italy France Ireland Switzerland Germany Austria Denmark Sweden Russia
Quality of Life 1 3 34 21 50 8 10 7 12 14 45
Ease of Settling 4 14 41 53 20 61 56 64 65 49 54
Working Abroad 53 52 64 40 26 13 7 19 9 10 57
Family Life 8 38 15 33 27 22 11 4 2 25
Personal Life 28 41 63 52 60 26 33 44 56 50 22
Cost of Living 4 7 34 32 52 64 27 32 55 0 33
Overall Rank 5 10 60 38 45 27 23 28 30 22 50

A Gem of a Country: Portugal

Having gained 13 places since the last year Expat Insider 2016 survey, Portugal is not only the second-biggest winner in the Quality of Life Index, but has also made the most significant gains in the overall ranking.

Its popularity among expats — at least when it comes to quality of life — is largely due to its temperate climate and widely available leisure activities. Portugal ranks 2nd out of 65 countries in the Leisure Options subcategory.

Not a single respondent has something negative to say about its climate and weather, which nearly two-thirds (65%) consider excellent, compared to 26% globally. In fact, nine out of ten expats perceived this as a potential benefit before relocating.

Portugal’s good result in the Health & Well-Being subcategory — ninth worldwide — is to some extent thanks to the benefits of nature. Though the country boasts above-average results regarding the affordability and quality of healthcare, its true strength lies in the quality of its environment. Well over nine in ten respondents (94%) rate this positively (worldwide average: 64%).

Lastly, 94% of expats in Portugal are happy with their travel opportunities. However, not quite as many survey respondents are happy with the transport infrastructure: one in eleven (9%) rates this factor very negatively.

In general, plenty of sun and relaxation might contribute to respondents’ general happiness: just 4% voice any dissatisfaction with their new life in Portugal. One respondent summed it up by saying: “This is a gem of a country hiding in plain sight.”

Peacefulness

Portugal doesn’t make it into the top 10 in the Safety & Security subcategory, ranking 11th out of 65. This isn’t a reason to worry: peacefulness is actually the best-rated factor in this category, with an impressive 77% of respondents considering Portugal a very peaceful country — only Finland has slightly better results (78%). Not a single respondent is worried about their personal safety either — it’s lingering concerns about political stability that keep the ranking down.

For a peaceful expat experience, Finland is the number one place to go. An incredible 99% of expats rate the peacefulness positively, causing Finland to jump from 5th place in 2016 to the top spot. Portugal, Norway, Switzerland, and Japan make up the rest of the top 5, with Portugal gaining twelve places compared to 2016, taking second place in 2017. The sunny escape also ranks in the top 5 of the Global Peace Index.

 

AMERICAS + ASIA + OCEANIA Brazil USA Canada UAE Bahrain Taiwan Singapore India China Australia New Zealand
Quality of Life 62 47 13 18 32 2 4 61 52 23 15
Ease of Settling 33 28 23 21 1 19 24 29 62 31 0
Working Abroad 63 28 16 38 3 12 23 49 21 32 2
Family Life 43 36 23 29 10 13 7 39 40 24 14
Personal Life 54 37 47 46 13 14 35 9 6 62 49
Cost of Living 54 41 37 47 28 10 57 17 30 56 48
Overall Rank 62 43 16 26 1 4 9 57 55 34 6

However the study also indicates some areas in which Portugal is not in such good classifications, as is the case of the Labor Area (53th), Career (59th) or Job Security (54th). Also the views on family life did not even put  the country in the first 45 ranked.

Moving house and changing jobs are probably high on most people’s lists two of the most stressful things you can do and trying to do both at the same time can be even more traumatic! But you might have to switch cities or even Countries to keep a job or earn a promotion. So, relocating for work is something you may need to deal with.

Specialized skills and experience are required to manage any kind of relocation effectively. There are a host of different issues, which must be handled professionally.

So, if you want to have a successful relocation in Portugal, here’s what you’ll need to do:

It’s wise to get some advise from local experts and that is exactly what GETiN Relocation Services offer: expert advice! Helping with essentials like Home Search, whether you are buying or renting, School Search, practical financial advice and generally help you Settling in Assistance to your new home.

Specialized skills and experience are required to manage any kind of relocation effectively. There are a host of different issues, which must be handled professionally.

If you want to know more, please contact us!

 

Duarte Jardine                                           António Vaz Guedes

duartejardine@getin.pt                            antoniovazguedes@getin.pt

Copyright © 2016 GETiNPORTUGAL®, All rights reserved.
This Newsletter concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and
 electronic communications) according with DIRECTIVE 2002/58/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 12 July 2002Contacts :
GETiN- Relocation Services, Av. Sidónio Pais, 26-R/C Esq. 1050-215 Lisboa Portugal

26
Sep 2017

FINANCIAL TIMES – Why all the world is going to Lisbon

FINANCIAL TIMES - Why all the world is going to Lisbon

FINANCIAL TIMES – Why all the world is going to Lisbon

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“Where other countries spend a fortune trying to attract “influencers” (shocking term, I know) on press trips to tout their best features and wares, Portugal has had the good fortune that it’s happened organically… “

SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 by Tyler Brûlé

“What’s going on in Lisbon?” asked the Thai gentleman. We were sitting in his boardroom high above Bangkok, a thunderstorm was cracking and blustering beyond the plate glass and other colleagues were settling in. A chic young woman chimed in.

“Yes, Lisbon, we need to go,” she said to everyone and no one in particular. The gentleman’s gaze swung back to me, he raised his eyebrows and smiled. “You’d like to know what’s going on in Lisbon?” I asked. “In what way?”

“In every way,” he said. “Why’s it so hot all of a sudden. I don’t think I particularly like their food. So why are people going?”

“How much time have we got?” I asked, explaining I could spend a lot of time on this as the transformation is not entirely straightforward.

“Go ahead, tell us. And I want to know why the Chinese are going there? Have they decided to colonise it like the Portuguese did with Macau?” he joked.

Lisbon came up a few days later in Melbourne and in Hong Kong last Friday and in Tokyo over drinks on Saturday. “Isn’t it funny how some countries throw a ton of money at CNN to market themselves but never get the cut through,” a colleague said. “And then there’s Portugal and I don’t think I’ve seen one ad promoting the place.”

On Monday evening I was standing atop the curvaceous MAAT museum looking out across Lisbon, considering these questions. The sun was dropping over the Atlantic, aircraft were lining up for approach from the south and as I watched them fall into a line and make their turn for their descent over the city I imagined them all coming from exotic locales from former colonies — Luanda, Maputo and small airfields in Cabo Verde. Along the harbour below, a Maersk container ship was pushing out to sea. What was it carrying? Hundreds of tons of cork for insulating a sound stage in New York? Thousands of pairs of sandals and loafers to line Nordstrom stores across the US?

While many will cite tax-free pensions, the low cost of living and a hotel boom as part of a revolution that has seen thousands of French arrive in search of apartments and many more for easy long weekends, there’s much more to the turnround. As I explained to my Thai associates, much of it has to do with manufacturing and the fact that the Portuguese still make things many of us need. As costs have climbed in Asia, and more European companies have decided to weave sweaters and stitch denim in the EU, Portugal has benefited from high staff turnover and creeping expenses in Vietnam and China. Legions of designers, pattern-cutters, production managers and brand owners who once spent weeks in factories across Asia have now been flying into Porto and Lisbon on day trips and have had a lot to do with creating a buzz about the place.

Where other countries spend a fortune trying to attract “influencers” (shocking term, I know) on press trips to tout their best features and wares, Portugal has had the good fortune that it’s happened organically — Italian designer enjoys a nice lunch in Lisbon after a day in the factory in the countryside, he tells his partner, the partner tells his magazine editor mate, and soon after there’s a glowing story about an interesting new street to sample in Lisbon or hotel to book into in Lagos (Algarve, not Nigeria).

The boom in tourism has come as a huge bonus. A wave of entrepreneurs, chefs and baristas has helped shake off the reputation for stodgy cuisine. And a tradition of craftsmanship has translated into hotels that show off good design and ceramic work.

Being on the edge of Europe has also helped. Lisbon and Porto’s status as “edge” cities has meant they’ve had to fight that little bit harder to be noticed while also having the luxury to look in on Europe and spot the opportunities, rather than being at the centre and feeling complacent. Africa and the Americas feel that little bit closer (because they are) and this has also helped draw investors and visitors.

Perhaps the biggest sign of a turnround is that national carrier TAP has shed the “take another plane” moniker. On Tuesday, I flew to Milan on a new Airbus with considerably more legroom than on my BA flight the day before, USB chargers at every seat and a crew beaming with pride. The same can’t be said for Ryanair and its disgruntled pilots.

Tyler Brûlé is editor-in-chief of Monocle magazine. tyler.brule@ft.com
Photograph: Dreamstime

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08
Aug 2017

CNN – new Berlin? How austerity helped Lisbon’s creatives to succeed

How austerity helped Lisbon's creatives to succeed, by CNN

CNN – new Berlin? How austerity helped Lisbon’s creatives to succeed

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“If anything, Lisbon is an unlikely new cultural hotspot. The city is still recovering from the brutal financial crisis that struck Portugal in 2010.

But austerity has also created many of the same conditions that attracted artists and creatives to Berlin in the late noughties, such as cheap rent, food and empty buildings, combined with a population that speaks good English and a strong local art scene.”

Watch the full article
26
Apr 2017

Newsletter 5 – GETiN Corporate

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Corporate & Relocation Services in Portugal

HOW DO WE CHANGE TODAY
TO CHANGE THE FUTURE?

When we opened up our firm, we opened our lives to improvement and growth. As we grow our potential, so we enable everyone else to do so too. This is why we work with the most innovative Technologies, we seek out new service applications, we help to incubate cutting-edge startups and we establish new partnerships. This is how we became more dynamic, more flexible and faster in adopting an increasingly eficient relocation strategy.

Because only by not settling can we remain in the rapidly changing world. And only by placing people at the centre of our change, can we really shape the future.

Clients

Employee relocation or workforce mobility include a range of internal business processes to transfer employees, their families, or entire departments of a business to a new location.

Team

With our extensive network of experienced consultants, analysts and project managers from every industry, we can assist with both short and long-term relocation projects. We can work with corporations and their employees or with private individuals.

Service

Our Corporate and Relocation Service enables both large and small companies alike to cost effectively outsource this specialist work on a tenancy by tenancy basis. Our team of professionals knows and understand the requirements and concerns faced by corporate clients and their employees.

About Us

Clients

We are committed to providing our customers with a personalized service recognised for its integrity, transparency and independence. We offer solutions you can trust.

Employees
Teamwork
Our Brand
The way we conduct our business
Work Environment

The Process

Specialized skills and experience are required to manage any kind of relocation effectively. There are a host of different issues, which must be handled professionally.

Area Orientation

The relocation settling-in period is where you and family members are finding their way. It should be a positive experience and not a distraction to their new role. 

Home Search

Renting a home in Portugal? Our friendly in-house agents and home search specialists are experts on their local real estate markets. 

Assignee Management

Whether looking to expand into new territories or to leverage your human capital in core markets, GETiN has the global assignment management expertise to support the needs of your business and your employees on assignment. 

Settling in Assistance

The relocation settling-in period is where you and family members are finding their way. It should be a positive experience and not a distraction to their new role. 

Global Real Estate

Finding the right home, in the right location, is critical to ensuring your relocating employee’s satisfaction and them being happy and successful settled in their new location. 

Office Relocation & Removals

Moving office is one of the most complex projects in the moving business. Every contingency must be considered to mitigate any risks of disruption or delay. At GETiN, our office moving procedures incorporate our years of experience and extensive resources to ensure that your relocation goes smoothly. 

Partnerships

To provide the best service to our clients, we have a wider partnerships which includes:

Legal Services

Our legal partners have the know-how and the experience to deal with all legal issues regarding our clients needs

Financial Services
Real Estate
Insurance Brokerage
Healthcare
Education
Fitness

Tenacy Management

Regardless of whether your employee needs their new home on their own, using our complimentary Home Search service or via a nationwide relocation specialist, our bespoke Tenancy Management service protects their interests and yours from start to finish.

Tenancy Management service protects their interests and yours from start to finish.

Available irrespective where the property is located, a monthly fee is charged on a property by property basis enabling us to deal with everything from a single employee to many hundreds with equal ease.

A typical service package would include:
  • Negotiation on terms with the landlord.
  • Preparation of a tenancy agreement / check third party agreement.
  • Ensuring safety certification is up to date.
  • Arrangement of transfer of utilities.
  • Arrangement of an inventory clerk to represent you.
  • Arrangement of payment of initial monies and ongoing rent.
  • Ongoing help and advice throughout the tenancy.
  • Negotiation of tenancy extensions.
  • Handling end of tenancy arrangements.
  • Negotiating the release of the deposit.

A Senior Executive service is tailored to meet the requirements of high profile executives. From meeting at an airport with keys, arranging for a technician to explain how the central heating works, to organizing a weekly clean – all can be arranged to help the Senior Executive settle in with the minimum of inconvenience.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact:

Duarte Jardine                                         António Vaz Guedes

duartejardine@getin.pt                            antoniovazguedes@getin.pt

Copyright © 2016 GETiNPORTUGAL®, All rights reserved.
This Newsletter concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications) according with DIRECTIVE 2002/58/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 12 July 2002Contacts :
GETiN- Relocation Services, Praça da Armada, 35-1º 1350-027 Lisboa Portugal

10
Apr 2017

FINANTIAL TIMES – Portugal’s eastern Algarve offers buyers less glitz, more value

A major factor in Portugal’s recovery is its “golden visa” scheme, introduced in 2012 to allow non-EU nationals

FINANTIAL TIMES – Portugal’s eastern Algarve offers buyers less glitz, more value

News getinpt

A major factor in Portugal’s recovery is its “golden visa” scheme, introduced in 2012 to allow non-EU nationals to obtain residency in return for making a €500,000 property investment, sparked interest among Chinese, Middle East and South African investors, as has the non-habitual residency programme, which offers significant tax benefits to residents drawing income from outside Portugal.

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07
Feb 2017

Forbes Magazine – Portugal is the # 19 Best Country for Business Worldwide

Forbes Magazine Best Countries for Business List puts Portugal as a better location to do business than Countries

Forbes Magazine – Portugal is the # 19 Best Country for Business Worldwide

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Forbes Magazine Best Countries for Business List puts Portugal as a better location to do business than Countries such as Germany (#21), the United States (#23), France (#26) and Spain (#29).

Watch the full List

31
Oct 2016

The Guardian: Sun, surf and low rents: why Lisbon could be the next tech capital

Cheap rents, a thriving cultural scene, ludicrous levels of sunshine and a high quality of life may have

The Guardian: Sun, surf and low rents: why Lisbon could be the next tech capital

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Cheap rents, a thriving cultural scene, ludicrous levels of sunshine and a high quality of life may have drawn young talent from all over the world over the past few years

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10
Oct 2016

Newsletter 4 – PLAN B (B for Brexit)

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PLAN B (B for Brexit)

Lisboa, 14 de Março de 2016

Introduction

 Sephardic Jews are the descendants of the ancient Jewish communities of the Iberian Peninsula. Worldwide there are about 3.5 million Sephardic descendants of Portuguese and Spanish origin. The Portuguese State recently recognised that the persecution and expulsion of Jews, during the 15th and 16th centuries, was an injustice and an historical error. Now, new legislation has been ratified, offering Portuguese nationality to all descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews.

Background History

Thousands of Spanish Jews settled in Portugal and joined the Sephardic communities after the expulsion ordered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492.

Persecuted by the Spanish Inquisition, they took refuge in Portugal, but were later driven out during the reign of King Manuel in 1496, due to his marriage to Isabella of Aragon, the Spanish heir. There are historical records of persecutions, executions and expulsions of Jews who did not choose to convert to Christianity and become new Christians. Those that escaped settled in Turkey, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and several countries in North Africa. Portuguese surnames can still be found in these areas.

The law

In February 2015 the Portuguese government finally ratified a new piece of legislation amending the country’s Nationality Law, which states that “the Government may grant citizenship by naturalization (…) to the descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews, who are able to objectively demonstrate a traditional connection to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin, through  for example a Portuguese surname, language, or a proven direct or collateral descent”.

 The possibility of granting Portuguese citizenship to Sephardic Jews, who can prove they are of Portuguese descent, has been planned since 2013, based on a proposed amendment to the 1981 Nationality Law. However, only in the last year has this become a reality, with the final ratification, in February 2015, of the new legislation regulating this aspect of the Nationality Law. The Spanish government is also granting Spanish nationality to Sephardic Jews of Spanish descent, but unlike in Spain, the Portuguese law does not impose any time constraints for applications.

Furthermore, it is of interest to note that applicants are not required to have lived in Portugal for any period of time, nor do they need to have any previous knowledge of the Portuguese language.

The Opportunity

According to the latest Global Peace Index report, the world has become slightly less peaceful in 2016. Portugal was considered the fifth most peaceful country in the world, having risen nine positions in the table when compared with the previous report.

 Compared with the previous year, Europe was the region that suffered the most acts of terrorism, with Turkey, France and Belgium among the most affected, but nevertheless, Europe continues to have six of the seven safest countries in the global rankings.

Security is undoubtedly a major factor for any family who is choosing a new country to live in, but in Europe there are other advantages including the economy, education and health, among others. Acquiring the nationality of a member country of the European Union is undoubtedly an intelligent move.

 Citizens from a variety of countries, mostly from outside the EU (Turkey, Israel, Brazil or the United States of America) are ceasing the opportunity to become citizens of the European Union, and in 2015 Portugal saw an enormous increase in nationality requests.

legenda

Brexit

Some Sephardic families settled in London during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and others immigrated to Britain in the twentieth century after passing through North Africa and the Middle East.

 Since the results of Brexit were announced, following the referendum in the UK on the 23rd of June, approximately 400 British citizens, descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews, have requested Portuguese nationality under this recent legislation, compared to only five requests in 2015. The number of applicants is expected to rise, as Britain prepares to exit the European Union.

The advantages are obvious: as with any citizen from a EU member country, Portuguese citizens have the right to travel, work and live freely in the EU country of their choice, without the need for any complicated visa applications, which are mandatory for non-EU citizens. British citizens are likely to lose this right.

Required documents

The application must be accompanied by the following documents:

  1. Birth Certificate.
  2. Authenticated certificate of criminal record issued by the competent authorities of the country of birth and nationality, as well as from any countries where the person may have lived in the past.
  3. Certificate issued by an official Portuguese based Jewish community attesting the applicant’s connection to a Sephardic Jewish community of Portuguese origin.

 

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact:

Duarte Jardine                                         António Vaz Guedes

duartejardine@getin.pt                            antoniovazguedes@getin.pt

Copyright © 2016 GETiNPORTUGAL®, All rights reserved.
This Newsletter concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications) according with DIRECTIVE 2002/58/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 12 July 2002Contacts :
GETiN- Relocation Services, Praça da Armada, 35-1º 1350-027 Lisboa Portugal

01
Oct 2016

THE TIMES – How Lisbon is undergoing a renaissance

Very good climate, low cost of living together with some of the most beautiful settings in Europe, growing art

THE TIMES – How Lisbon is undergoing a renaissance

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Very good climate, low cost of living together with some of the most beautiful settings in Europe, growing art & culture scene and at the same time a very vibrant and booming star-up scenery are reasons why the whole world have their eyes on Lisbon.

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04
Aug 2016

CNN Travel – Liquid gold: Portugal’s stunning Douro river region

CNN Travel - Liquid gold: Portugal's stunning Douro river region

CNN Travel – Liquid gold: Portugal’s stunning Douro river region

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It may be the world’s most beautiful wine region. It’s also got spectacular landscapes and a scattering of World Heritage sites. Douro cuts across northern Portugal, snaking 200 miles from rugged wilderness
Grapes grown on its steeply rising banks have been sending forth legendary port wines for centuries.

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