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gailatlarge

Gail Aguiar

@gailatlarge

Active member

Canadian expat in Portugal

Forum

51 posts

About me

Canadian

Lives in Porto

Speaks English

Registration: 13 January 2014

Activity

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
4 years ago
MarkWR

Opening a bank account by MarkWR

Greetings. I am currently living in the United Kingdom but am wishing to live in Portugal either for part of the year (3-6 months per year) or to relocate completely. Is it possible to open a Portuguese bank account while still living in the UK? I ...

Gail Aguiar

As far as I'm aware, this is the only bank I know of in Portugal which lets you open the account overseas by video call: https://www.atlantico.eu/ I have no affiliation with this bank, my accounts are in other Portuguese banks, and I ... Read More

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
4 years ago
dennislg

Documents Required for D-7 Visa to Bring for Consulate Interview by dennislg

As I understand, there are several documents that one must bring to the interview which are listed in VFS Global's site https://www.vfsglobal.com/Portugal/USA/residency-permit.html. Two of them are somewhat confusing. These are, - Transport ...

Gail Aguiar

1. You don't need a fiador to a) rent a place, or b) register it with Finanças. Almost no foreigner is able to get a fiador, they rent an apartment by offering more months upfront (real estate agents will ask for 6 rents, either 5 upfront ... Read More

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
4 years ago
dennislg

Documents Required for D-7 Visa to Bring for Consulate Interview by dennislg

As I understand, there are several documents that one must bring to the interview which are listed in VFS Global's site https://www.vfsglobal.com/Portugal/USA/residency-permit.html. Two of them are somewhat confusing. These are, - Transport ...

Gail Aguiar

This is for me or for the landlord to worry about. I am reading it as being applicable to my own tax return should I be a tax resident in Portugal.As soon as you convert your NIF from foreign to resident with a Portuguese address, you are ... Read More

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
4 years ago
dennislg

Documents Required for D-7 Visa to Bring for Consulate Interview by dennislg

As I understand, there are several documents that one must bring to the interview which are listed in VFS Global's site https://www.vfsglobal.com/Portugal/USA/residency-permit.html. Two of them are somewhat confusing. These are, - Transport ...

Gail Aguiar

Thank you once again for your answers. 1. As I understand, in order to rent a long term place - such as one registered with AT, I would need to provide pay stubs or last year tax return or a fiador/gurantor. How do D7 applicants find long term ... Read More

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
4 years ago
dennislg

Documents Required for D-7 Visa to Bring for Consulate Interview by dennislg

As I understand, there are several documents that one must bring to the interview which are listed in VFS Global's site https://www.vfsglobal.com/Portugal/USA/residency-permit.html. Two of them are somewhat confusing. These are, - Transport ...

Gail Aguiar

Thanks Johnny and Gail for the information you provided. This is most helpful. I found 1 company called Visa Reservations (i'm sure there are many others), and they do provide a way to reserve flights (instead of purchasing them immediately) ... Read More

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
4 years ago
dennislg

Documents Required for D-7 Visa to Bring for Consulate Interview by dennislg

As I understand, there are several documents that one must bring to the interview which are listed in VFS Global's site https://www.vfsglobal.com/Portugal/USA/residency-permit.html. Two of them are somewhat confusing. These are, - Transport ...

Gail Aguiar

Note that VFS Global is merely a document collector, they are not authorized to indicate whether you qualify or not. Most of their dealings are with Schengen visa applicants (who DO use tourist accommodation for their visa applications), while ... Read More

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
4 years ago
dennislg

Documents Required for D-7 Visa to Bring for Consulate Interview by dennislg

As I understand, there are several documents that one must bring to the interview which are listed in VFS Global's site https://www.vfsglobal.com/Portugal/USA/residency-permit.html. Two of them are somewhat confusing. These are, - Transport ...

Gail Aguiar

1. SEF sends the card only to the address that you provide proof of residence for, OR you may pick it up in person at the SEF office but this is less of an option due to COVID. What we're seeing is that if the registered mail is not signed for ... Read More

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
4 years ago
dennislg

Documents Required for D-7 Visa to Bring for Consulate Interview by dennislg

As I understand, there are several documents that one must bring to the interview which are listed in VFS Global's site https://www.vfsglobal.com/Portugal/USA/residency-permit.html. Two of them are somewhat confusing. These are, - Transport ...

Gail Aguiar

The D7 is a residence visa that is valid for 120 days. It is not a guarantee that it will convert to a residence permit. A visa is to enter, a permit is to stay. The visa application is scanned and sent to SEF in Portugal, which means SEF relies on ... Read More

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
4 years ago
AuMargaret

Unfair Taxes in Portugal by AuMargaret

Hello to all on Expat.Com Why doesn't anybody complain here in Portugal? It seems that everyone just takes what is dished up by the Government without making comments or asking questions. For example, only the very large cities in Portugal ...

Gail Aguiar

If someone doesn't understand what they're protesting, it doesn't matter where they're from. But to discourage anyone from political participation just because they're not a citizen doesn't make any sense if you're truly ... Read More

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
4 years ago
AuMargaret

Unfair Taxes in Portugal by AuMargaret

Hello to all on Expat.Com Why doesn't anybody complain here in Portugal? It seems that everyone just takes what is dished up by the Government without making comments or asking questions. For example, only the very large cities in Portugal ...

Gail Aguiar

This was the outcome of the protest about IVA on utilities: https://www.deco.proteste.pt/campanhas/bastam6/fechado My suggestion to expats about these issues (of which I am one) is to join a protest and become a citizen so you can actually vote on ... Read More

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
4 years ago
AuMargaret

Unfair Taxes in Portugal by AuMargaret

Hello to all on Expat.Com Why doesn't anybody complain here in Portugal? It seems that everyone just takes what is dished up by the Government without making comments or asking questions. For example, only the very large cities in Portugal ...

Gail Aguiar

Do you read Portuguese newspapers or watch Portuguese TV? There are protests all the time in Portuguese media, including by the various Portuguese political parties, on all social media channels as well as TV, podcasts, YouTube, and every social ... Read More

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
5 years ago
pleasuredome

Need Help, US citizen moving to Portugal by pleasuredome

How do I start? What do I need to stay in the country past 90 days?? Do I apply for this while I am in US or wait until I arrive. New to forum, please help me.

Gail Aguiar

I know someone who can help you. I'll send you a private message. Read More

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
5 years ago
Nency1033

information about Porto by Nency1033

Could anyone help me w/ more information about Porto? (Reasonable rental costs and close to transportation) Looking to go to Portugal in the fall for a month to check out Portugal for possible retirement. Could anyone give suggestions about a place ...

Gail Aguiar

Hi, are you still looking for information about Porto? I moved here from Canada in 2013 and can give tips on neighbourhoods, finding accommodation, getting a fiscal number, setting up a bank account, et cetera. You can send me questions by private ... Read More

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
5 years ago
Annejames

IMI payments by Annejames

After successfully paying our IMI through our bank for two years, the finance department has stopped sending us bills with a payment code. We have signed up to the portaldasfinances , but under outstanding payments, it says nothing is owed, despite ...

Gail Aguiar

I don't understand your second sentence: "despite not having paid anything for two years" which contradicts the first sentence which said you've been paying your IMI for two years? If you have not paid IMI on your home in Portugal ... Read More

Gail Aguiar
gailatlarge replied to a thread
5 years ago
Ngreen24

Timing for obtaining a residency permit by Ngreen24

We are arriving in Porto in June with our residency visa. Wondering how long the process takes to get a residency permit once in country? Do you recommend getting an local advocate to help? Thanks for any suggestions. Nancy

Gail Aguiar

You need to make an appointment RIGHT AWAY with SEF through their phone centre, as the appointments can be backed up in the major cities. If your appointment date is past the expiry of your visa, not to worry as you will still be legal in Portugal ... Read More