lI retired sailor in Portugal unleashes the web: are you “Portuguese” too?

A few days ago we published the story of a retired reader who, living on a boat for six months a year in Portugal, earns 60 percent more than in Italy. And he lives by sea like a nabob. In fact, in Portugal if you live at least 183 days a year and assume “nonhabitual resident” status for 10 years, quite legally, your pension is tax-free. The news, on the web, triggered an avalanche of comments. We have selected several: from those who inquire how one can imitate the pensioner in the article, to those who refute the image of Portugal as a happy island and dispute the veracity of the article. Keep letting us know how you think!

THE “PORTUGUESE”
“Good solution. How to get more detailed information? Is there anyone who can inform me? Thank you?“. Joseph Fanizza

“True that you have to live there 183 days a year, false that there is taxation. Portugal has launched a “pensioner-capture” plan, and for 10 years the check (from Italy you receive the gross Boeri permitting) is exempt from any taxation, in addition to additional benefits of no small“. George Pasetto

“I would like more accurate news x the cost of berth and climate in and around Lagos ,I also plan to leave with a boat of almost thirteen meters with draft 2.50 regards.” Rosario

“Good morning
My name is Ines and I am from Faro, a beautiful town on the Ria Formosa. I’m trying to convince my Italian father-in-law to move to Portugal, so I feel like I’m the right person to respond!
Portugal faces exclusively the ocean so the water is always cold compared to the Mediterranean broth. Bathing means taking a refreshing dip every time and I guarantee it’s good for your health 🙂 and it’s a new way to experience seawater!!!
But gentlemen … you are speculating … in July and August it is very hot …
On boat station prices… There are so many creative solutions… and so many marinas… Lagos is touristy but other many beautiful and wonderful places surely cost less…
Try:
Aljezur, tavira, faro, Vila Real de Santo Antonio…I prepare a site for advice regarding transfers to Portugal. For info: inez.costa.lima@gmail.com” Inez

“There are countries where income produced outside the countries themselves is not taxed!
Think ahead” Massi

THE WITNESSES.
“Mind you, on the pension will perhaps only be saved if it is not derived from Italian public employment. In all Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (and I assume there is one in place with Portugal) our MEF claims there is a clause that Italian pensions from public employment are taxed at source. Therefore, an Italian pensioner whose pension is derived from public employment will only be able to transfer to Portugal his pension net of Italian taxes, taxes which he will continue to pay in Italy and which will be withheld monthly at source“. SV Narese

“Can the owner of the boat be contacted? It seems to me that there are either some contradictions……” Daniela

“I point out some inaccuracies in this article:
– if you do not reside in Italy, it is not true that you do not pay Irpef, you simply pay it in your place of residence instead of in Italy. You save something, but it is not true that gross equals net.
– It is not true that with 183 days you take residency for 10 years. You have to do every year 183 days.
– The Lagos marina, like all Portuguese marinas, is quite expensive, I was paying 50 euros a day for 11 mt, certainly with 14 you don’t pay 1,400 a year.
Also, it’s quite cool in Lagos, in August I was always in long pants and fleece from late afternoon on, and swimming in the sea was not even done by Germans so cold was the water.” Luciano Piazza

“It appears from the marina’s website that the published rates for a 14 mt. Is €7,228 per year. If math is not an opinion who knows everything else ….“ Franco