Last week I ended the blog with: “More on that the coming week.” That “more” is about the family that has been staying with us for a while now, and is looking for their own place with more foreigners with small children around.
Is Portugal being flooded with foreigners?
Most foreigners come from Brazil. Not so strange of course, life there is not that easy, and the language is. They already speak it, although they pronounce it a little differently. In second place come the British, for whom more or less the same applies, after Brexit. (A bit of a self-inflicted story, actually.)
There are now 10,000 registered Dutch people living in Portugal, and 16,000 Germans.
Why would I want to know that? – you ask? Well, because last week’s promise is about the man with the cap, who was in the last photo. That man is called Marc-with-a-C, and has a German wife, Annemarie. Together they created a Viking child – don’t ask me how they did it, but that could have something to do with Marc’s passion: history and especially the history of the Vikings.
They’re experienced emigrants; they have already emigrated to Ireland. Independently of each other, by the way, because they met each other there. It was to the Irish part that is still part of Europe, so that saves some paperwork.
Annemarie is a master at that., being a marketing specialist and Pinterest coach. So, used to computer work. “I’m not going to start transferring us until January,” she says, undoubtedly used to the German efficiency in the bureaucratic processes that you have to go through if you want to transfer yourself, your spouse, your child, your entire life and your company to another (European) country.
Foreigners within Europe can move freely
Nevertheless, you will still have to register here and there. Starting with the municipality, then the sub-municipality (or the other way around, it doesn’t really matter), and if you have 5 years of patience (patiência, learn that word by heart if you emigrate to Portugal) you can register as a European citizen who is a resident of Portugal.
Ugh. Then the tax office. Without a “número de contribuinte” abbreviated as NIF, you won’t get anywhere. Annemarie noticed that too, when she wanted an internet subscription. “Apparently we need a NIF and a Portuguese telephone number” she sighs, but I almost fall off my feet from what she has achieved in a few weeks.
In the meantime, father and son Viking are having a great time in the sandbox, with the mud puddles here and there, and with freeing a number of buildings from excessive ivy growth. Three guesses as to who does what. They even manage to burn the ivy in the wet winter conditions! Respect.
They are not in a hurry, they say, to find another spot. “It’s fine here,” says Marc, “but for the little one we would rather go to a place with more children. We are looking near Caldas da Rainha. Also not that far from the coast.”
I think: I have to make a bridge between the visitors from last week and my Viking family. Those visitors rent in Caldas da Rainha, maybe they have tips or contacts.
That way I connect different foreigners together. Hopefully with a good result!
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We moved here in 2000 from Rotterdam, Holland to the Termas-da-Azenha, Portugal.
A big step, especially with two small children.
We are busy to rebuild one of portugals cultural heirlooms: Termas-da-Azenha, an old spa which has been turned into several holiday houses, rooms and a campsite.
You’ll find mosaics and paintings everywhere.
Since 2018 we call ourselves the first B&B&B in the world – Bed & Breakfast & Bathrobes. You can buy a home-made unique bathrobe/housecoat with us.
Each week a little blog about what is happening around us. An easy read. A few minutes in another world. A little about what it going on in Portugal. If you plan your holiday to Portugal, it might be a nice preparation
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