Dear Editor,
As you know it is now possible to become a Non Habitual Resident, NHR, if you can fulfil certain requirements. This status will mean that you do not pay any income tax in Portugal on income which comes from a country “approved”.
Such approved countries are e.g. Sweden, Finland and perhaps some other European countries who have an agreement with Portugal to avoid double taxation.
Unfortunately, I am not aware which countries belong to this group. The tax free period is 10 years.
As Portuguese taxes, including income tax, have been raised during the last couple of years, we permanent residents have to pay more tax, often more than we would pay in our country of origin. This has already led to people starting to give up their “residências” to avoid the taxation here.
Thus, tax free people are moving in and taxpayers are moving out. This cannot be the aim of the Portuguese authorities.
It’s also very unfair to treat we who have paid taxes here for years in such a way. Compared to new residents we are in a much worse position.
Antti Rislakki
By email
