September brings a bunch of special things to do and fun events in Porto. If you’re going there this week and wondering what’s happening, we’ve got your back. Let’s check out the cool stuff you can do from September 4 to 10. From concerts to games, get ready for a unique time in Porto!
Experience an authentic evening of Fado, the soulful essence of Portugal, on Monday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Fado na Baixa, this event invites you to savor Pedro’s family-owned Tawny Port while our musicians demonstrate traditional Portuguese Guitar techniques. Live male and female Fado singers will serenade you with Lisbon’s intense Fado and the touching Coimbra Fado, a tradition upheld by university students.
Fado museum. Photo by Vitor Oliveira (Flickr)
Basilar Festival
From Thursday to Sunday, Basilar Festival takes place in Porto close to a beautiful lake. Basilar is a cozy event in Northern Portugal for music lovers. It’s all about techno music and bringing people together. With one stage, artists can focus on their music and create a close-knit vibe. The event has longer DJ sets and a small community, to promote a bonding environment.
Cocktail making class
Cocktails. Photo by Kobby Mendez (Unsplash)
For a unique experience, head to this cocktail-making class on Thursday at Maison Cocorico. You will be able to create your very own cocktail and acquire the skills of incredible barmen. Cocorico is a luxurious guesthouse, situated a 5-minute walk from the Cathedral of Porto.
Outdoor orchestra concert at Avenida dos Aliados
Porto is known for its iconic avenue, Avenida dos Aliados. This Saturday, you will get to enjoy an outdoor concert at this prestigious avenue performed by the Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música. An event to bid farewell to summer, this concert includes music from incredible films such as James Bond and Schindler’s List. It’s also free to attend!
As September begins, Lisbon offers many exciting events. If you’re visiting the city this week, we’re here to help you discover the top things to do. Join us as we explore the best activities and events happening from September 4 to 10 in Lisbon.
Operafest Lisboa 2023
Operafest Lisbon 2023, with the Belém Cultural Center, is showcasing “Great Singers for Today’s Opera” on Wednesday. It’s part of the Marathon Opera XXI contest promoting modern Portuguese opera. Young singers perform excerpts from recent Portuguese operas, aiming to strengthen the tradition of singing in Portuguese and support new generations of performers. Winners receive the Carlos de Pontes Leça Prize.
Rodrigo Amado & Chris Corsano
Zé dos Bois in Lisbon is hosting performers Rodrigo Amado and Chris Corsano on Wednesday. After six years, they come together again following a successful show and a shared album. Amado remains a key European saxophonist, while Corsano ventures across diverse musical landscapes.
Brunch Electronik #7
Another Brunch Electronik event is happening this week, an electronic music event that runs from 2 pm to 10 pm on Sunday. Along with incredible music and a vibrant environment, you can enjoy a variety of food at the trucks available. This week’s line up includes:
Almost 50,000 students got into university in Portugal. However, there are 38 degrees available that no one wants to apply to at the moment.
This year’s first phase of the National Contest to Access Higher Education (Concurso Nacional de Acesso ao Ensino Superior – CNAES) had almost fifty thousand placements. The number is slightly lower than last year’s, but it represents 84% of the total number of applications. The remaining 16% will have to wait for the second phase.
Most of the 1,109 degrees available are completely full. There are only 305 degrees with spots available, of which 38 are completely empty.
Interestingly, one of the most wanted areas is also the one that no one wants. Most of the degrees without any application are connected to engineering. However, the ones that everyone wants are also connected to the field. The degree with the highest average entry GPA is Aerospatial Engineering.
Apart from the above mentioned, Medicine, Law, Architecture, and International Relations degrees are very popular. The average entry GPA for these degrees in the best Universities is above 18/20.
The spots that are still available will be disputed by the remaining 16% of the applicants. If there are any spots available after the second phase, there will be a third. The goal is that every degree is full, and every student is placed.
The Portuguese President of the Republic will enact the new version of the drug law after it has been validated by the Portuguese Constitutional Court.
After the decree was approved by the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic more than one month ago, the President decided to send it to the Constitutional Court.
According to him, the autonomous regions (in this case, Madeira) were not properly taken into account, and that could cause the proposal to be unconstitutional.
According to the court’s decision, the decree is not unconstitutional. The validation by the Constitutional Court means that the law will have to be enacted by the President, and come into effect.
What’s the new Portuguese drug law 2023?
This new version of the drug law introduces two big changes. First, it extends decriminalization to synthetic drugs. Second, it removes the possession limit that was acceptable for consumption.
These changes are supposed to guarantee the effectiveness of the drug law within the new drug paradigm, and at providing a better basis for distinguishing between users and traffickers.
However, some experts argue that this version will create a ‘gray area’ that will be difficult for the authorities. They believe that this new law creates a precedent that will contribute to the worsening of the current state of the country when it comes to drugs. Instead of better defining the line that helps distinguish users from traffickers, the new version of the law blurs it. According to them, both the police force, and the Portuguese courts will have a hard time.
If you’ve recently landed in Lisbon and are wondering how to make the most of your week, fret not – we’re here to help. Get ready to explore unforgettable events and experiences in this captivating city. Let’s take a look at the top events and activities in Lisbon between August 28 and September 3.
MEO Kalorama
Meo Kalorama, scheduled from August 31 to September 2 at Parque da Bela Vista, is a distinctive summer festival. It strives to blend together music, artistic expression, and ecological consciousness, bringing together artists who are enthusiastic about pushing boundaries and contributing to society.
The festival’s current roster features prominent acts such as Florence + The Machine, The Blaze, Arcade Fire, Dino d’Santiago, and others. Attendees have the option of buying individual daily tickets priced at 65 euros each, or they can opt for a comprehensive three-day pass at 160 euros.
Mariza at Festas do Mar
The second week of Festas do Mar is taking place this week from August 31 to September 3. A 30-minute train ride from Cais do Sodré, Festas do Mar is a long-standing Cascais tradition from the 1970s.
You’ll have the opportunity to listen to amazing musicians performing right by Baia Beach. This event is put together by the local government and is free to attend. In addition to the musical performances, you’ll also find a variety of local food trucks and even stalls selling handmade crafts.
This week’s lineup includes one of the most famous fadistas in Portugal, Mariza, who will be performing on Friday.
BaIa de Cascais where Festas do Mar takes place. Photo by Vitor Oliveira (Unsplash)
Brunch Eletronik
Brunch Eletronik hosts a few events throughout the summer, including one this Saturday in Lagoa Branca, Tapada da Ajuda from 2 pm to 10 pm. This week’s line up includes Honey Dijon, I. Jordan, Gusta-vo and Luisa.
The electronic music festival is hosted outdoors, featuring plenty of food trucks with all kinds of cuisine options. We recommend buying tickets in advance as these sell out. There’s also a backstage access ticket with an exclusive bar, bathrooms, and stage access.
Culture shock comedy
This comedy stand-up show called “Are You an Alien in Europe?” is designed for expats in Portugal, starting on Monday at Lasharada. Delight in hilarious stories from comedians about unexpected cultural shocks, and add your own by sharing anonymously on paper for them to improvise on.
If you’ve just arrived in Porto and aren’t quite sure how to fill your week, worry not – we’ve got your back. We’re diving into the top things to do and events to check out, ensuring you have an amazing and unforgettable time in this vibrant city. Let’s take a look at the top events and activities in Porto between August 28 and September 3.
The World Battle
For those who love sports and dance, The World Battle 2023 is a global street sports and culture festival in Porto from August 30 to September 3. Athletes from 60+ countries will compete to earn points and a chance to represent their country in the 2024 Olympic Games. The event includes a big Breaking and Topstyle competition, as well as displays, a market, and dance workshops this week.
Anavitória concert at Casa da Musica
Performing in the iconic Casa da Musica on Friday, Anavitória is a duo known for their Brazilian music. Since releasing their first album in 2016, the duo has been accumulating achievements: sold-out concerts from north to south of Brazil, two Latin Grammys, tours in the USA and Europe, hits like “Trevo,” “Fica,” and “Pupila” among the most played songs on Brazilian radios.
Casa da Musica, Porto (Unsplash)
Jazz, Bossanova, and Tribute concerts
This event, called Café Concerto no Ateneu starts this week and has concerts on Thursdays (Jazz), Fridays (Bossa Nova), and Saturdays (Tributes). Located in the beautiful Nobel Hall of the Ateneu Comercial do Porto, you will get a unique experience in one of the most beautiful rooms in the city. A bar service is available during the show.
Photo by Chris Bair (Unsplash)
Make your own chocolate workshop
This Make Your Own Bar workshop is a fun event on Saturday where you can create your own chocolate bars. You’ll learn about making chocolate from scratch and make three personalized chocolate bars with your favorite toppings to take home. You’ll also get to taste seven different GLAD chocolate bars. This workshop will also teach you about where chocolate comes from, how it’s made, and how to tell good chocolate apart.
The Portuguese President of the Republic visited Ukraine this week to show Portugal’s support, and to be part of Ukraine’s Independence Day celebrations. Once there, he spoke Ukrainian and was the first Head of State to step foot on an actual trench.
According to what the President said in his speech during the celebrations, which was made entirely in the host nation’s language, without Ukraine´s legitimate protection, there will not be peace and security in Europe. Portugal’s position and support mirror that belief.
During the visit, the President visited a region on the outskirts of Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. The region was completely devastated by the war. And even though it was reconquered by Ukrainian forces, it is yet to recover from all the devastation.
There is a recovery plan. However, the trench is set to remain as a reminder of the fight against Russian occupation, and the sorrow that came with it. When he was there, the Portuguese President did what no other foreign Head of State, or Minister, did. He went inside the trench.
According to Lesya Arkadievna, Deputy Governor for the Kyiv Region, the Portuguese President was the first visitor to step foot on the soil where the military and the civil population were actually fighting the occupants months before.
The visit had multiple objectives, but the main reason was to solidify the continuity of Portugal’s support. Speaking the national language and being inside the trench were unusual gestures that contributed to that purpose.
The Portuguese President of the Republic vetoed the program “Mais Habitação” (More Habitation), which was created to tackle the ongoing housing crisis.
According to a letter sent by the Portuguese Head of State to the President of the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic, the program is not enough to tackle a problem that has become dramatic, crucial, and very urgent.
Among the main reasons, the Portuguese President stated that the program is not credible enough when it comes to its short-term execution.
According to his words, the Portuguese State would not take direct responsibility when it comes to building viable housing solutions, and the program would not provide immediate solutions to those in need.
This presidential veto brings good news for those hoping to benefit from opportunities presented by the Golden Visa program. The current failure of the “Mais Habitação” program means that property investment from as low as 280,000 euros is still among the criteria to qualify for the Golden Visa for the time being.
According to Portuguese law, after the veto, the decree is supposed to be sent back to the Parliament for amendments. This bureaucratic procedure allows approximately 45 days before the President reassesses his decision.
Note, however, that after the 45-day period, the Government will be able to force its hand. If the law comes into effect, the criteria to qualify for the Golden Visa will be reduced, remaining open mainly for investment funds with a minimum investment of 500,000 euros.
Considering Portugal’s Golden Visa Program?
If you’re interested in finding out the latest details about the Golden Visa program and want to take advantage of the new opportunities. Signup for a live Q&A webinar with an expert from Holborn Assets that will answer all your questions. The event is scheduled for May 23 at 6 PM Lisbon Time (2 PM EST). The live webinar will cover the following:
The latest news of the Golden Visa program with an overview on the new rules
With a thriving international community, Portugal is considered one of the best countries to move to in Europe for expats. Navigating the transition to life as an expat in Portugal can be an exciting journey, but it’s not without its challenges, especially when it comes to finance and taxes. It’s not uncommon for expats to make mistakes when moving to Portugal which could be easily avoided through expert advice. Let’s take a look at 9 mistakes expats make when moving to Portugal.
1. Not exploring before choosing a city
From the cosmopolitan city of Lisbon to a more calm and affordable life in the countryside of Alentejo, Portugal is a diverse country. Each location offers its own lifestyle, cuisine, climate, and even cost of living. A common mistake expats make when moving to Portugal is not visiting different cities beforehand and moving to a main city blindly.
While a holiday will never truly represent the real thing, exploring a wide variety of places in Portugal will help you better understand what life could look like and make the right choice.
This is what’s known as a “scouting trip”, a sneak peek into your future life in Portugal. This trip will help you choose the best city to live in Portugal for you, discover the everyday routine, and maybe even visit schools and houses. We recommend visiting as many cities as possible, and not neglecting areas such as the interior.
Lisbon. Photo by João Reguengos (Unsplash)
2. Lack of professional financial planning
A lack of financial planning often comes hand in hand with not getting professional financial advice. A move to a new country entails a significant financial burden, regardless of your income and lifestyle.
Expats often assume financial planning is unnecessary as they have always felt confident back home, but this is one of the largest mistakes made, often leading to larger issues down the road.
When moving to Portugal, it’s crucial that you carefully consider your finances, including income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Most importantly, expats need to understand their tax obligations in Portugal which to the average person, can be quite complex.
Many expats opt out of professional financial advice due to the cost, but it ends up costing them more in the long run as they miss out on substantial tax cuts and investment opportunities.
Want to become part of the large community of US expats in Portugal? Sign up for Holborn Assets’ live webinar on the challenges facing US connected clients moving or living in Portugal. Find out all about the financial perks of moving to Portugal and have all your burning questions answered. The event is scheduled for May 16 at 5 pm (Lisbon Time) / 12 pm EST. If you would like to schedule a one-on-one call instead, you can book one here.
The Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) program can save you a large amount of money on taxes as an expat. This tax regime offers reduced tax rates and even full tax exemptions on foreign-sourced income for the first 10 years of residence.
Introduced in 2009 to attract talent to Portugal, the NHR tax regime is available to all new tax residents in Portugal that were not Portuguese tax residents for the 5 years prior. To apply, you also need to stay in Portugal for at least 183 days a year and you need to obtain residency.
Expats working in Portugal under the NHR tax regime only pay a 20% flat rate on personal income tax, if their work is considered “high value”. Keep in mind that if the general rate was applied, someone making around over 50.500 euros a year would pay 45% in income tax.
Other benefits of the NHR program include exemptions for dividends, capital gains, and rental income.
The best way to navigate an NHR program application is to have experts do it for you, including the process of acquiring a residency visa, obtaining a NIF, and more.
4. Not researching fees and charges
When moving to Portugal, it helps to research different options on costs and fees related to services such as banking, insurance, and investments. There is a large range of prices out there, so you want to make sure you get the fairest deal.
You don’t need any surprises when it comes to unexpected fees and charges, so finding a financial expert that can guide you will make sure you avoid this.
5. Not considering the cost of living
Portugal is often hailed as an affordable country with a low cost of living. Those coming from abroad, in particular, will find their purchasing power goes a long way in Portugal. The cost of living in Portugal is around 40% lower than in the United States.
However, its affordability is highly dependent on where in Portugal you are planning to move to. Cities like Lisbon and Porto are becoming increasingly more expensive, particularly when it comes to property prices.
Photo by Ibrahim Boran (Unsplash)
6. Forgetting to get a Portuguese bank account
Many expats put off opening a Portuguese bank account or think it’s unnecessary to open one at all. If you want a smooth move, opening your bank account should be one of the first things you do after you’ve obtained your fiscal number (NIF).
From paying bills to getting a sim card, having a Portuguese bank account will make your life much easier.
A lot of banks also allow you to open your bank account remotely through a firm that will also request your NIF for you. This way, you have your bank account ready to go even before you move.
There are multiple national and international banks operating in Portugal, including private national banks, regional cooperative banks, and public retail banks. Here are the most popular banks in Portugal:
Caixa Geral de Depósitos
Novo Banco
Banco BPI
Barclays
BNP Paribas
Activo Bank
Banco N26
ATM. Photo by Eduardo Soares (Unsplash)
7. Not learning about the Portuguese tax system
The Portuguese tax system is incredibly complex, especially for newcomers. It’s important that you learn about the tax system to make sure that this move is right for you financially. Not only income tax, but it’s also important to consider property tax, inheritance tax, social security payments, and more.
We have a comprehensive guide on the Portuguese tax system, but the best way to ensure tax efficiency relating to your specific case is to talk to a professional.
8. Underestimating Portuguese bureaucracy
Portugal’s bureaucracy is oftentimes hard to navigate, especially if you are applying for residency or a specific tax regime. It is a common trait of Portuguese society, as well as in other European countries like Spain.
The relaxed pace of life in Portugal can result in long waiting times, especially in public services like healthcare and obtaining important documents. Even simple tasks can involve filling out unnecessary forms and making numerous calls to different entities.
When planning your move, don’t underestimate the way in which bureaucracy might affect it. Whether you’re buying a house and waiting on documents or trying to apply for a visa, processes can take their time. This is particularly true if you are doing everything on your own, especially in another language.
Photo by Scott Graham (Unsplash)
9. Not getting private health insurance
As a resident, you will be able to access the Portuguese public health care system. Because of this, many expats make the mistake of not getting private health insurance. It’s important to note that the public system is overloaded and you might wait weeks for certain appointments.
Therefore, having private healthcare insurance will make your life easier and ensure you get the care you need. Without insurance, appointments in the private sector can cost over 100 euros and you could spend hundreds of euros on basic blood work, for example.
You can opt for national or international private health insurance and the cost will depend on the amount of coverage, as well as your age. The average price for health insurance is around €50, but again this can increase depending on various factors.
The first State of the Nation debate in Portugal took place 30 years ago and the concept was, to a large extent, inspired by the United States’ “State of the Union” address.
This political debate takes place every legislative session, at the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic. This year’s State of the Nation was the second debate of the current legislature. Note that each legislature has four legislative sessions, corresponding to the four-year electoral cycle.
The form of the debate is the following: the Prime Minister opens the debate with an intervention about the current state of the nation; the parliamentary groups, or political parties, ask some questions; a generalized debate takes place; the Government (Prime Minister and Ministers) closes the debate.
According to this year’s balance, things seem to be improving.
Immigration has been increasing since 2015. The economy is currently one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe. The poverty rate dropped, and inflation is dropping. There is more employment, more qualified people, and bigger pensions. Banks are generating more profit. The state is reviewing part of the education portfolio and is allocating more money to culture.
However, not everything is as good as it seems.
The standard of living of the average Portuguese citizen is among the lowest in the EU. Around 1.7 million people live with less than 551 euros per month, and 16,4% are at-risk of poverty. Even though salaries increased, real income has decreased. This is the amount of money an individual, or an entity makes after adjusting for inflation.
Because of inflation, Portuguese citizens have 3.5% less purchasing power. In the meantime, the price of food products surged.
Moreover, the housing market grew 94% in seven years and houses are now among the most expensive in Europe (i.e. Lisbon’s price per square meter is currently above 5000 euros, more expensive than in Milan, Barcelona, and Madrid).
Meanwhile, the average net monthly salary in Portugal is one of the lowest in the EU (1,025 euros), and the tax rate is one of the highest (i.e. 54% for the top personal income tax rate). To add to that, interest rates for most mortgages increased because of Euribor.
Education and culture are key. Ongoing education strikes suggest that education workers are unhappy. There are fewer and fewer people wanting to work in education. The public perception of that kind of work is distorted. That is reflected in the minimum GPA required (2.5/5) to get into higher studies in education. Younger generations are being affected by this. They have less classes and less qualified teachers.
Employment has been increasing because of non-qualified workers. Qualified people leave. The number of Portuguese emigrants in 2023 is above two million. People are not particularly happy (world happiness report, score of 6/10). There are more individuals, less quality of life, less money, expensive houses, expensive food, high credits, and high taxes.
Both banks and the state are improving the accounts at the expense of Portuguese citizens. They are the ones that pay the interest rates, the high taxes, and the fines with their already low income.
Those looking for a better life, emigrate. Data shows that in 2022, around 7% of the Portuguese population did that. There are more people wanting to leave the country, than those wanting to come back. Why? Because of the current state of the nation.
