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With our registered company’s removals services, you can move anything from a single box of possessions to an entire family home to Portugal with a uniquely tailored package to meet and exceed your expectations. Let one of our removal companies ensure that your life changing move is carried out as smoothly, efficiently and hassle free as possible, allowing you to enjoy your new home or holiday home. Services provided include:
Areas covered include:
Our partners services cover all regions within Portugal. Give us a call today to discuss your Portuguese removals needs. Let us find the cheapest removals company for you today! Your Move to Portugal We've included some useful information and websites to help you plan your move and new life in Portugal. There are lots of differences between Portugal and the UK; language, culture, government and driving are all different in Portugal than in the UK. Its good to be prepared for this change in culture; this guide will help with the differences. If you're buying a holiday home in Portugal, check your home insurance details for your house in the UK. Many policies are only valid if your home is not unoccupied for 90 days - if you're thinking about spending the winter in your house in Portugal, contact your UK insurance company. Driving in Portugal Driving in Portugal is notorious for being less safe than the UK. The driving attitude, as with much of the continent, is more risky than in the UK; drivers will often take more risks when overtaking, tailgate more often and generally speed more. Some of the road surfaces do not live up to UK standards either; in rural areas especially, poor road maintenance in common. Some roads in the country are so thin that they are impassable for two cars, meaning a lengthy reverse for one of them. Drink-driving is a criminal offence in Portugal as in the UK, so don't be tempted to drive home after a few beers at the local bar. The legal limit for driving in Portugal is lower than the UK (only 20mg per 100ml of blood, as compared to 80mg for the UK), so be careful - even a sherry trifle for lunch might send you over the limit! Seat belts must be worn by front seat occupants, and rear seats if provided. Speed limits are as follows: built up areas: 50 kph (31mph); out of town: 90 kph (56 mph); trunk roads: 100 kph (62 mph); motorways: 120 kph (75mph). However beware, for these limits are not kept to very regularly by Portuguese drivers. The Portuguese Language Portuguese is the 6th most spoken language in the world; it's spoken by over 210 million people worldwide, mainly in Brazil and Portugal, as well as the old Portuguese colonies. Learning the basics of Portuguese before you move over there will give you a leg up with dealing with the locals, as well as the mountain of bureaucracy you will have to deal with once you have moved over. Why not give it a try? There are plenty of internet courses available. Moving With Your Pets The European Pet Passport and Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) now makes it easier to move to Portugal or any other European country, with your pet. The PETS scheme enables you to travel to Portugal without the need for your pet to enter quarantine. The EU Pet Passport enables your pets to freely cross borders. To get a Pet Passport, your pet needs to have a micro chip or tattoo in the ear, a vaccine against rabies and a blood test to confirm the vaccine is in the system. Contact your local vet for more details. Education in Portugal Compulsory education in Portugal lasts 9 years, keeping kids in school from age 6 to 15. In State run schools this basic education is free. School meals, transport and textbooks may be paid for with financial assistance. The school year runs from September to June. Pupils must attend an educational establishment either where they live or where their parents work, though special cases can be accepted. The following documents are necessary for registration in a new school: registration papers, health certificate, three passport photos, proof of identity and a certificate proving you have passed the previous year. Pupils are assessed at the end of each academic year; those deemed competent enough will go through to the next year. Pupils considered not to have reached the required standard, are required to go through the same school year again. The higher education system consists of universities, polytechnics and other private institutions of Higher Education. Students may study for a three years bachelor degree, or a licentiate degree needing four to six years of study. There are a number of international schools in Portugal, with students studying toward either the International Baccalaureate or the British GCSE. Registration of EU Residents If you are a EU resident you have the right to live and work in any European country without a permit or visa. This applies for Brits moving to Portugal as well as any other county. However, if you start work in Portugal you need to be registered for National Insurance (Caixa), plus you need to have a formal work contract like other Portuguese. Getting a Mortgage in Portugal Getting a mortgage in Portugal is much the same process as in the UK - you find a bank willing to lend you the money, they assess your financial history, then give you a loan accordingly, while reserving the right to repossess your property if you don't keep up repayments on the loan. A loan is usually for a maximum of 15 years, and Portuguese lenders will normally only lend 75% of the property's value meaning you have to find a sizeable deposit if you are buying the average house. It can be quite tricky negotiating with a Portuguese bank yourself, so it's often good to go through a British broker who knows the system better. It is usually better to have the mortgage in Euros; with Portugal being in the Euro zone., having your mortgage and property value linked to it makes it less vulnerable to Sterling/Euro currency fluctuations. Internet and Telephone in Portugal There is a government scheme in Portugal called "Espaco Internet" which gives free internet access to everyone is the country. These are internet cafes that provide free access to the internet for everyone. Broadband is widely available is towns and cities, but is less available in rural areas. Check with providers before signing up to a contract. Portugal has a vast network of Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the country in a variety of locations including hotels, train stations, football stadiums and shopping centres meaning you can log on without going home. Portugal has a better mobile phone signal coverage than landline, so think twice about getting a landline. Healthcare in Portugal The Healthcare system in Portugal has been brought up to date in the past few years, after suffering from under investment for years. The current system has three layers - the National Health Service (rather like the UK service), a social health insurance scheme and a private system. Visitors to Portugal are afforded free basic healthcare, as long as you have a E111 form (available from the Post Office). If you live in Portugal you will be entitled to free healthcare under their National Health Service. Portugal spends a higher percentage of its national budget on healthcare than the U.K. (7.8% in 2000) Portugal is one of the healthiest countries in Europe and has a high life expectancy. Also - heart disease rates are one of the lowest in the world; this is put down to the healthy diet of the Portuguese, which often includes red wine, garlic and olive oil. Portugal has a better mobile phone signal coverage than landline, so think twice about getting a landline. Useful Living in Portugal Websites Shelter Offshore - Some useful articles about living in Portugal, including the pros and cons of living in the country. How To Books - Has some info on driving in Portugal Transitions Abroad - Contains a great list of contacts and resources to make your move to Portugal easier. Portugal Facts
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