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...

Making The Right Property Choice Start With A Rental The Algarve is a popular summer rental market. A range of options exist in both municipalities. Long-term rentals represent a small percentage of the total rental market and private apartment and villa rentals, whose owners often only place properties on the market as an afterthought following a poor summer season, compete with long-stay hotel...

The World’s Most Stable Climate World Weather Online states that the “Algarve enjoys one of the most stable climates in the world” with its moderate weather influenced by both the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas and its proximity to North Africa. Portugal has 3,300 hours of sunshine per year, one of the highest in Europe. The Algarve has a temperate climate and although bathed by the Atlantic,...

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...

BUYER BEWARE! THE GOLDEN VISA BEING SOLD AS A SURE-FIRE SOLUTION to EU RIGHTS POST BREXIT   It is perhaps fitting that I found myself writing this article in the air between the UK and the EU. I sit, poised, mid-air, trying to weigh up whether recent changes in the UK or those announced by Portugal will have most impact on our business, our clients and our investments - The Golden Visa Program. From...

BREXIT and Impact on TAX-free Retirement in Europe   Brexit will almost certainly have some effect on UK pensioners living abroad but whether they will continue to have access to the same benefits provided by virtue of being part of the single market, remains to be seen. Anyone who is nearing or at retirement age wants to protect his or her hard-earned pension. Most want to do this in a safe country...

How the Brexit vote affect UK citizens   Anyone who is nearing or at retirement age wants to protect his or her hard-earned pension. Most want to do this in a safe country with a warm climate, friendly people, low cost of living and a great lifestyle. A country with which the United Kingdom has long-standing historical, cultural and tourist ties has made it easy to do all the above. True to the...

The Tortoise and the Hare: Rambling or racing from Lisbon to the Algarve Portugal has just been voted the winner in the best European destination for American tourists, as voted by readers of 10Best Readers’ Choice and USA Today: www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-european-country. As the country’s capital, many intercontinental flights stop over in the Portuguese capital. While this may be an...