News
by Namrata Majithia 30th March 2021
UK residents from England, Scotland and Wales can now claim a VAT refund on retail purchases (over €50+VAT)they make in Portugal, effective from 1st January 2021.
by Namrata Majithia 17th March 2021
Providing international schooling for children from 2 to 6 years old, L’École Trilingue opens in Lisbon in September this year and will provide immersion learning in three languages: English, French and Portuguese.
Portugal will be removed from the "red list" of countries from where travel to England is banned after 04:00 GMT on Friday 19th March, the British Department for Transport has announced.
by Namrata Majithia 11th March 2021
In February 2021, investment into Portugal resulting from the Residence Permit for Investment (ARI) or ‘golden visa’ programme totalled 52,318,353 euros.
Contrary to a controversial law passed at the end of last year (click here), restrictions to Portugal’s money-spinning ‘golden visa’ regime will not now come into effect on July 1.
The Chamber and its Corporate members Vilamoura World, Martinhal, Edge International and Ombria are all quoted in The Times today in a lengthy story about Where to Buy Property in Portugal to Get a Golden Visa by Zoe Dare-Hall. See the full story below
Portuguese Government Confirms Changes in its Golden Visa Programme: Not Necessarily Bad News, Say Stakeholders
by Namrata Majithia 30th December 2020
The British Parliament today (Wednesday 30th December 2020) voted to approve legislation that will pass the EU-UK post-Brexit deal into UK law.
The DIT’s Keep Business Moving webinar answered a wide range of questions on the new UK Portugal trading rules from 1 January 2021.
As the UK and the EU approach the final days of Brexit negotiations, the UK government has published the second edition of the DIT Portugal Newsflash, covering all aspects of the Brexit changes.
by Namrata Majithia 12th November 2020
Ascendi is a leading player in the road infrastructure market in Portugal, where they manage six concessions over 600 kilometres of motorway,
by Namrata Majithia 28th October 2020
Portugal remains vital to UK interests – the British government (DIT) wants to deliver a smooth EU Exit, build on their good existing bilateral relationships and grow trade and investment between the UK and Portugal.
by Namrata Majithia 10th October 2020
On the 8th October 2020, the UK government’s Department of International Trade published an updated version of its Border Operating Model. This new guidance provides further detail on how the GB-EU border will work and the actions that traders, hauliers and passengers need to take.
On October 5, 2020, the UK tax authority added considerably to its Brexit guidance for businesses on the value-added tax rules that will apply to goods entering Great Britain from outside the UK.
Our latest Corporate members, Durham Agrellos, are a boutique law firm specializing in sensitive and complex issues of tax law for HNWI international private clients.
In January 2021, Portugal assumes the rotating Presidency of the European Union, while facing the twin pressures of dealing with the pandemic and implementing the Brexit agreement.
The Web Summit says that an offline version of its global tech conference may yet go ahead in Lisbon in December, despite similar events being postponed due to the pandemic.
by Namrata Majithia 25th September 2020
The UK has left the EU. On 31 December 2020 the UK will leave the EU single market and customs union.
From 1 January 2021 the rules for trading with the UK will change.
From 1 January 2021 the rules for trading with the UK will change.
by Namrata Majithia 21st September 2020
Portugal's prime minister has just defined three major blocks for overcoming the crisis caused by the new coronavirus pandemic.
In the Recovery and Resilience Programme, which António Costa will present to Brussels, the State defines three
In the Recovery and Resilience Programme, which António Costa will present to Brussels, the State defines three
Even if a deal is agreed, huge changes are coming from 1st January 2021
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The Chamber team is back in the office after a few precious days on the ground in Portugal...
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by Namrata Majithia 13th August 2020
London, 13 August 2020
As the UK endures an unprecedented 10-day heatwave, with temperatures over 34 degrees in much of the country, the holiday season is well under way here.
We will be closing the Chamber for a few days holiday, and we return on 2nd September.
On our return we will be releasing our autumn schedule of webinars and other online events, which are an increasingly important part of our services to members.
As the UK endures an unprecedented 10-day heatwave, with temperatures over 34 degrees in much of the country, the holiday season is well under way here.
We will be closing the Chamber for a few days holiday, and we return on 2nd September.
On our return we will be releasing our autumn schedule of webinars and other online events, which are an increasingly important part of our services to members.
by Namrata Majithia 28th July 2020
Prime Minister Antonio Costa’s government has launched a plan aimed at boosting its export sector to alleviate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with a goal of increasing Portugal’s exports to 53% of gross domestic product by 2030, up from 44% in 2019.
As the Brexit negotiations reach an impasse, Chamber members Blevins Franks have produced an excellent 30 minute video explaining the main areas of disagreement and how they might be resolved, with special emphasis on residency, tax and pensions moving between borders.
by Namrata Majithia 21st July 2020
As reported by Natasha Donn in the Portugal Resident newspaper, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa returned from the marathon negotiations in Brussels this week waving the promise of €45.1 billion in much-needed post-coronavirus recovery funding for the country.
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17 July 2020
Our General Manager, Christina Hippisley, recently joined Dylan Herholdt of Chamber members Portugal Realty as a guest on his popular podcast called Portugal: The Simple Life.
Our General Manager, Christina Hippisley, recently joined Dylan Herholdt of Chamber members Portugal Realty as a guest on his popular podcast called Portugal: The Simple Life.
by Namrata Majithia 10th July 2020
London, 10th July
London’s Daily Telegraph newspaper carries an interesting article from Manuel Lobo Antunes, the Ambassador of Portugal in the UK, on the science behind Portugal’s current handling of the pandemic.
London’s Daily Telegraph newspaper carries an interesting article from Manuel Lobo Antunes, the Ambassador of Portugal in the UK, on the science behind Portugal’s current handling of the pandemic.
by Namrata Majithia 9th July 2020
We are a day later than usual, since yesterday saw some big announcements here in London which took some time to analyse.
In addition, the recent exclusion of the Portuguese mainland from the UK’s newly issued travel list of ‘green’ and ‘amber’ countries has caused consternation in both the UK and Portugal. The Chamber, which is also the secretariat of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Portugal in the British Parliament, is working closely with the MPs in the group
In addition, the recent exclusion of the Portuguese mainland from the UK’s newly issued travel list of ‘green’ and ‘amber’ countries has caused consternation in both the UK and Portugal. The Chamber, which is also the secretariat of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Portugal in the British Parliament, is working closely with the MPs in the group
by Namrata Majithia 9th July 2020
The recent exclusion of the Portuguese mainland from the UK’s newly issued travel list of ‘green’ and ‘amber’ countries has caused consternation in the Portuguese government.
by Namrata Majithia 25th June 2020
Germany, Portugal, and Slovenia are to hold the presidency of the European Council in succession starting from July 1, 2020, through to December 31, 2021. The three countries will have a joint programme.
by Namrata Majithia 25th June 2020
While the Covid-19 crisis has raged in the UK, there has been little time to focus on Britain's future relationship with the European Union.
However, the issue is now becoming overwhelmingly urgent in London and Brussells once again. This week, we bring you a special newsletter summarizing the view of Brexit from this side of the Channel and what will happen in negotiations over the summer.
However, the issue is now becoming overwhelmingly urgent in London and Brussells once again. This week, we bring you a special newsletter summarizing the view of Brexit from this side of the Channel and what will happen in negotiations over the summer.
by Namrata Majithia 10th June 2020
As the easing of lockdown continues and the pace of work picks up here in the UK, we will be changing the frequency of this newsletter from once a week to every two weeks from now on.
by Namrata Majithia 3rd June 2020
As the easing of lockdown continues, friends and families are meeting again and picnics outside are becoming the norm. The corona virus continues to dominate the news here, but Brexit, the Chinese threat in Hong Kong and the ongoing racial violence in the USA are also at the top of the news agenda now.
by Namrata Majithia 27th May 2020
It’s a short week here in the UK this week, with a public holiday on Monday and many people booking days off for the rest of the week. Plus (for a change) the weather is hot and sunny, and the lockdown is easing. Our spirits are slowly lifting as the British summer arrives in earnest. Here is our weekly update about the current situation here in the UK, in political economic and social terms.
by Namrata Majithia 20th May 2020
As the slow relaxation of the lockdown - which has been in place since March 23rd- continues,, here is our weekly update about the current corona virus situation here in the UK, in political economic and social terms.
by Namrata Majithia 13th May 2020
As we embrace the early stages of the relaxation of the lockdown, which has been in place since March 23rd, here is our weekly update about the current corona virus situation here in the UK, in political economic and social terms.
by Namrata Majithia 5th May 2020
Many of our Chamber members and potential members are businesses in Portugal which export goods or services to the UK market. To help them and anyone else interested in the UK market, our newsletters will now contain regular updates about the current corona virus situation here in the UK, in political, economic and social terms, plus a round up of other relevant data.
Chamber members EDGE International Lawyers have now created a dedicated website giving pragmatic updates about Portugal’s Covid-19 response and how legal and practical matters can continue in the meantime.
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Due to the corona crisis, we have suspended our usual programme of live networking and business events in the UK and Portugal until further notice. We are now working remotely and are here to help at any time – please email info@portuguese-chamber.org.uk
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Due to the corona crisis, on March 18th 2020, the Portuguese government introduced a State of Emergency which has impacted many aspects of legal contracts in Portugal.
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British Tourists, visitors and residents can continue to enjoy freedom of movement, travel, access to healthcare and recognising driving licenses in Portugal, as normal, until the end of the transition period, foreseen to be the 31st of December 2020
In tune with the new decade, our institutional partners AICEP Portugal Global, Portugal’s investment agency, have just released a new video on the best of Portugal, with an emphasis on the talent available in the country.
by Namrata Majithia 4th November 2019
Portugal IN is a task force created by the Portuguese Government, in the wake of the Brexit referendum, to further attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to the country, responding directly to the Prime Minister. Portugal In is specialised in supporting the expansion process to Portugal of companies operating in the UK and its main inward FDI markets (USA, China, India and Japan).
The majority of Portuguese SMEs expect and plan to up their revenues by increasing their international activity in 2019.
After 6 successful events, the demand is still high!
by Namrata Majithia 1st May 2019
Everything you need to know to prepare for a new life in the tranquility, beauty and warmth of Europe’s most westerly country.
All that’s left is to pack your suitcase.
All that’s left is to pack your suitcase.
The Portuguese are coming! In response to popular demand from Irish property buyers, the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce is bringing its Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars to Dublin on 15th May 2019.
“To reach a port, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it—but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.” We need to steer the boat, not drift! - Christine Lagarde
by Namrata Majithia 22nd February 2019
As the subject of the meeting was ‘Brexit’, the main points made by Augusto Santos Silva were:
by Namrata Majithia 30th January 2019
Invest Africa is the leading pan-African business platform that promotes trade and investment in Africa. Invest Africa will be taking a high-level investor delegation to Angola from 19th-21st February 2019.
Tasting session of Esporão olive oil at London’s top gourmet food store Fortnum and Mason!
Is your company GDPR ready?
Are you selling products or services to a Portuguese company and they are asking you to fill out the Mod 21-RFI before they can pay you the full amount they owe you?