A record number of Brits decided to make Portugal their permanent home in 2020, enticed by the country’s low income tax rates for non-habitual residents.
The number of Brits in Portugal swelled by 34% according to the country’s borders and immigration service, bringing the total number of British residents in the country to 46,238 – the second largest group of foreign residents after Brazilians.
Brexit has been a huge driver. Before 2016 the numbers either shrank or grew by a maximum of 4% a year, but they’ve been shooting up since then.
But it’s the non-habitual resident status created by the Portuguese Government that is especially practical for British expatriates.
This tax system grants a 10% tax rate or a total exemption for 10 years, if certain conditions are met.
Foriegn income, including pensions, rental income, real estate gains and dividends from the UK are tax-exempt under the system, meanwhile.
The scheme is ending in certain areas from January 2022, including Lisbon, Porto and Algarve coast – where most foreigners traditionally settle – in a move to push property investment towards rural areas.
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