Pavalijo
Member
Hi Pavaligo,
Believe you are in Portugal - how is it all working out?
Hi Nortada,
Yes we decided to drive from Halifax via Dover-Calais to firstly visit the boat in Galicia (charge batteries, turn engine over, exercise seacocks, run the fridge, resecure the cover etc) and then drive down to Lagos to try and get a residency, given that we intend to base ourselves here going forwards.
We called at the Camara to make an appointment and pick up forms. The lady on the front desk told us we don’t need a fiscal number and don’t need to book in anywhere to be able to provide address validation. She said that we could use the address of a neighbour or friend, so we could use the address of the boat of the friends we are staying with. We would only need our passport.
Simple we thought. However it became apparent at interview that we had a jobsworth (a very lovely young lady who goes by the book).
We explained that we had a booking from 1.8.20 into the Sopramar boatyard to get work done but were delayed by Covid. We said that we would be bringing the boat down as possible but we would probably not arrive in Lagos before late May.
Firstly she would not accept the boat as an address without a contract. Our friend sent that to me immediately but as it was in his name we had to get a statement from the owner or marina that we were living there. When asked how long we are there for we said we are only here for a short period as we cannot ask our friends to lie.
We had heard that people had obtained residency using a 2 day camper van site booking as their address (possibly Albufeira from memory) but our lady in Lagos said a campsite booking (or presumably an apartment) would need to be for longer than a month.
If we don’t have proof of a long stay address and are leaving and coming back then she said that we would have to register our presence in the Algarve before 31.12.20 and then return within 6 months and apply for the tenancy with our marina contract. But then again we wouldn’t be taking a contract until September!
So without lying we are not in a position to obtain our tenancy.
However with some of the terms of residency explained to us we are not sure that we want to obtain the status.
Firstly we would be expected to be in Portugal for at least 6 months in EVERY year. If not the residency would be rescinded. Some years will will be here for more than 6 months, but not every year.
Secondly we said that we would be traveling around on the boat in the summer but in winter would drive down with our car and use the boat as a holiday home. The young lady and her supervisor (brought in to help given our complications) confirmed that it would be illegal for us to drive our U.K. registered car once we have resident status. They couldn’t tell us what the implications would be if caught and referred us to another agency (IMT).
Another appointment was made for us to go back with address confirmation after the weekend, but we have decided to withdraw. We could say that we will return and live here within a month or two and then go back up to Spain for the boat and that we will not be out of Portugal for 6 months - but we would be uncomfortable lying, and more importantly than that, tripping around in our car is important to us.
I cannot believe that Portugal will not create some form of long stay holiday visa for Brits - given the numbers who spend more than 90 in 180 but less than 183 days a year in Portugal in boats, second homes, camper vans and the snow bird winter long lets. And of course the fact that some who might normally visit for a few months may have to restrict time in Portugal if they intend using some of their Schengen allowance in other countries.
I see that even France are going to offer a long stay visa to Brits..
Apparently 99euro for up to 12 months. Link here
Tourist or Private visit | France-Visas.gouv.fr
I have read that Greece have made a statement to the effect that they will put something in place so as not to lose British visitors.
So we will wait and see what happens before resolving our plans going forward. I strongly suspect that announcements will be made as soon as any Brexit deal is done or the transition period ends.
Fortunately our journey is not wasted as we travelled to Galicia to check the boat, charge batteries adjust the cover etc and are now having a nice holiday here on the Algarve.
Who knows when we will be back!!
Regards
Paul