How does your perfect day in retirement look? What about a morning spent exploring the local market, a lazy afternoon in the sun at the beach – just a short walk from home – and then sitting out in the balmy evening temperatures with good food and wine? For Brits who retire to Portugal, every...

Having a baby is one of the most life-changing experiences a person can go through. It’s an exciting but nerve-wracking time, and when you’re living somewhere new, there can be many unknowns which need navigating before the big day – from maternity leave timescales to hospital stays. Written exclusively for Expat Network by Andy Edwards,...

Retiring abroad is increasingly popular with estimates ranging from 10% of people in the UK considering retiring abroad to over 30%. Moving to a warmer climate with a lower cost of living enabling you to enjoy a more active retirement can be a very attractive proposition. It is, however, a major life decision and should...

Over half a million people receive some kind of Social Security benefit abroad, including retired and disabled workers, as well as spouses, widows, widowers, and children. If you retire abroad you can receive your Social Security payments outside the United States as long as you are eligible and live in a country where payment is...

Any decision to take a role abroad is relatively easy if you do not have a partner or family, but as soon as a partner is involved decisions become more complicated. Although partners and family can provide emotional support and enrich the experience, studies have repeatedly shown that the most common cause of problems with...

A guide to the International Baccalaureate for parents whose children want to create social change… Is the IB the right fit for your child? Helping your child choose the next step in their education can be a particularly stressful time for parents. There are so many options available but the most important piece of advice...

Expats generally have the right to transfer their pension abroad into a qualifying scheme. For some, the benefits of doing so are manifold. However, there are risks, and it’s fair to say that you need to tread very carefully when considering all your options, as a significant tax charge can apply in certain circumstances. Written...

While there is no denying that expatriate children have certain invaluable opportunities by being exposed to different (and often multiple) cultures, there can also be a big price to pay: these children may find themselves feeling sad and alone a great deal of the time while being challenged to make new friends and integrate into...

There are many financial issues that face those who are looking to move to Portugal. Many of these issues can be dealt with easily, provided you take advice from an expert in both Portuguese tax and tax law in your home country. Something that can save you tax in at home can have the opposite...

Monsanto. A small, fortified village previously named the ‘most Portuguese village in Portugal’. Houses and streets in Monsanto are packed tightly and carved from the cliffs and boulders that surround the town. The castle overlooking Monsanto provides an excellent panorama of the plains and nearby mountains of the Serra de Estrela. Monsaraz. This village still...

Given the close proximity of northern Africa to the Portuguese mainland, approximately 200km across the eastern Atlantic, it is not surprising that Portugal has one of the warmest climates in Europe, with summer temperatures in the south of the country averaging around 28C (18C annually) and 20C in the north (15C annually). Portugal has a...

What are today’s options for expats with UK pensions moving to Portugal? When it comes to pensions, your long-term financial security is at stake, so you should take extreme care to do what is right for you and your family. Expats also need to consider the tax rules and implications in Portugal or your country...