Tax

THE SUCCESS OF THE GOLDEN VISA PROGRAMME Golden Visa investments represent more than €4 billion into the Portuguese economy. This influx of capital has a direct correlation to the massive inflation in house prices in areas such as Lisbon and Porto, where the majority of the GV investment is concentrated. The Golden Visa program in Portugal has been a success when measured by total investment,...

As someone who grew up in South Africa, I watched with anticipation and some sense of pride as the Springboks or the “Bokke”, pulled off a great victory to take the trophy home. But the naturally ebullient and optimistic feeling after a victory of such proportions was short-lived. The victory would, knowing the way the South African population react emotively to such events, convince many people that...

TAX-free Retirement in the Heart of Europe   Anyone who is nearing or at retirement age wants to protect his or her hard-earned pension. What better way to do this than via tax-free retirement? Many want to do this in a safe country with a warm climate, friendly people and a great lifestyle. And in a region voted Europe’s best golfing destination by the World Travel Awards. Now one country has...

Planning for the Golden Years: the modern-day “Gold” rush in the California of Europe   Anyone who is nearing or at retirement age wants to protect his or her hard-earned pension. Many want to do this in a safe country with a warm climate, friendly people and a great lifestyle. Equally, many people from outside Europe aspire to have free access to, or live on, the “Old Continent”. As do...

IS YOUR ANNUITY FAILING YOU? CONSIDER INVESTING IN FIXED-INCOME CARE SUITES   It was the day after the referendum of June 23rd 2016 that I realised that my British Pounds would not buy me as much as the day before. In fact, about 20% less, although that has now “recovered” to 15%! Suddenly, travelling to Europe, living my retirement in Europe and even making my hard-earned British pension...

Low-Cost, Universal-Access Healthcare Portugal’s healthcare system is broadly based on a universal franchise, which will not turn anyone away. Most hospitals will put patient before price (one of the reasons that the health system runs a deficit, but also the reason the country is generally known for its personalized and humane treatment of patients). With the tightening of financial controls, expect...

US Presidential Election: Supercharged Brexit or a Rubicon of Difference? Two days after the US presidential election, the world observed how America deals with democracy in a very different way to the British. A long and intense (and very expensive) presidential campaign was followed by dramatic decision. Universal and bipartisan commitment to the transition to a new order followed. Unlike America’s...

PORTUGAL: TAX HEAVEN TO TAX HELL? What a difference a week makes! A month, well that is life-changing. Three months, an eternity for tax. As recently as six months ago, it was unquestionable that Portugal was among Europe’s best investment destinations. For seniors or retirees, it was the uncontested number 1: a growing economy; falling unemployment; a rapidly recovering real estate market; a real...

SKATTEFRI PENSIONERING I HJÄRTAT AV EUROPA   Vem som helst som närmar sig pensionsåldern vill skydda sin välförtjänta pension. Många vill göra detta i ett tryggt land med ett varmt klimat, med vänliga människor och med en fantastisk livsstil. Inget enskilt land har en särskilt underlättad procedur till ovanstående. Portugal, som röstats Europas bästa golf och strand destination av...

The Non Habitual Resident law: a Case Study   I thought that Börje Forsberg looked tanned and relaxed. Although we had never met before, I assumed that this was because he was now retired to the Algarve. He was quick to confirm my first impressions. By his own admission, he now has a very different lifestyle to the one before his retirement four years ago, all due to the Non Habitual Resident law...