https://britishexpats.com/forum/ British Expat Forum is a discussion board for expatriates around the world en Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:43:06 GMT vBulletin 1 https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg https://britishexpats.com/forum/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/mb-way-scam-958069/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:02:08 GMT I have a listing on OLX 500€.................20 minutes after going live the phone rings, he wants the item............. great me thinks, that was quick !

He insists on paying immediately via MB WAY .......... I say 'dont you want to see it working at least on a watsapp call before you send the courier to fetch it ? (it is an electrical item)

Naaaa he says 'I trust you' I am in lisbon I will pay you straight away then send a courier.

Send the cash with the courier I say ( I have done that before with a sale to a guy in Poland, on EBAY when I lived in the UK, so I know it does work)

Naaaa 'I want to pay straight away so that nobody else gets it' he says (bearing in mind it has been on sale for all of 20 minutes)

Asks me if I have a PT account, Santander I say, great he says, open the app and go to MB WAY ............... at this point I am suspicious enough to tell him that I will put the phone down then ring him back.

The number he used does not accept incoming phonecalls ............................ How many more red flags do you need me thinks.

So my point is, as mi mum used to tell me 'if it sounds too good to be true, it is'

Apparently the scam involves keeping you on the phone whilst your app is open then constantly talking to you in order to confuse you so that you give them the MB WAY code and then they can take the 500€ off of you rather than the other way around, initially I thought it was more sort of software based ie: they take over your app whilst you have it open kind of thing, but apparently it is a lot less sophisticated than that and based purely on confusing you, easily done maybe.

Not this time though................... just thought I would mention it............be careful folks. ]]> Portugal andywally https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/mb-way-scam-958069/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/voting-958066/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:20:15 GMT Hi Folks For those of us in the UK, are we able to vote in the November elections? Hi Folks

For those of us in the UK, are we able to vote in the November elections? ]]> Moving back or to the UK rlolney58 https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/voting-958066/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/sand-pit-116/bahrain-war-damage-958065/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:40:40 GMT I made about 12 trips to Bahrain over the years. Was wondering if there has been much damage from Iran drone or missile attacks? I made about 12 trips to Bahrain over the years. Was wondering if there has been much damage from Iran drone or missile attacks? ]]> The Sand Pit ddsrph https://britishexpats.com/forum/sand-pit-116/bahrain-war-damage-958065/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/8802-form-questions-958064/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:05:58 GMT Folks, For those who have had (recent) experience with the 8802 process. I say recent as the Govt. headcount reductions may have affected some IRS depts. So....do you get any notification from the Philadelphia office that they have processed the 8802? I did submit the fee via cheque so I can see that it has been cashed, actually one day after they received the completed forms, so very efficient cheque cashing process. ;) Thanks Folks,
For those who have had (recent) experience with the 8802 process. I say recent as the Govt. headcount reductions may have affected some IRS depts.
So....do you get any notification from the Philadelphia office that they have processed the 8802? I did submit the fee via cheque so I can see that it has been cashed, actually one day after they received the completed forms, so very efficient cheque cashing process. ;)

Thanks

]]> USA iceflow https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/8802-form-questions-958064/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/car-insurance-portugal-958031/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:10:34 GMT Without having spoken with my Insurance company in Portugal, does anyone know if a British friend with full UK DL no points, is OK to drive my Portuguese car, with or without my being in the car, which is fully legal, with insurance, IPO and Taxed. Without having spoken with my Insurance company in Portugal, does anyone know if a British friend with full UK DL no points, is OK to drive my Portuguese car, with or without my being in the car, which is fully legal, with insurance, IPO and Taxed. ]]> Portugal wellinever https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/car-insurance-portugal-958031/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/noisy-roller-shutter-wind-958030/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 05:19:13 GMT Is there a way to reduce or eliminate the noise from bedroom window roller shutters when it’s windy? Wife is not impressed at being woken up by this noise. Is there a way to reduce or eliminate the noise from bedroom window roller shutters when it’s windy? Wife is not impressed at being woken up by this noise. ]]> Portugal sportpix https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/noisy-roller-shutter-wind-958030/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/decorating-expats-958029/ Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:45:16 GMT Hi everyone, I am a professional painter and decorator from the UK. I still reside in the uk but would like to eventually look to love abroad with my wife and young family. I am looking for ways To fly out to Spain or wherever needed to find British Expats with homes abroad to paint and/or decorate. I want to do this so I can see what the possibilities are like out there whilst I learn a little more about their different paints and standards are abroad as I am presuming it will differ greatly from the uk. could anyone tell me where I can possibly reach out to people or forums where I can speak to expats etc to talk about how I can go about this thankyou All in advance Jamie Hi everyone, I am a professional painter and decorator from the UK. I still reside in the uk but would like to eventually look to love abroad with my wife and young family. I am looking for ways To fly out to Spain or wherever needed to find British Expats with homes abroad to paint and/or decorate. I want to do this so I can see what the possibilities are like out there whilst I learn a little more about their different paints and standards are abroad as I am presuming it will differ greatly from the uk.

could anyone tell me where I can possibly reach out to people or forums where I can speak to expats etc to talk about how I can go about this

thankyou All in advance

Jamie ]]> Spain Expatdecorating https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/decorating-expats-958029/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/us-immigration-citizenship-visas-34/e2-cos-958027/ Sun, 31 May 2026 16:11:27 GMT Hi looking for some advice. I currently have a pending E2 application in the UK submitted in March 2026 wait time 6-8 months. my last e2 application in December was denied on marginal. I returned to the US in February to meet with attorney revise the application and resubmit. I’m now in the US my I 94 expires end of July.2026 my attorney has advised I can do a E2 COS premium processing, but obviously at a cost. I have asked if we could just do the E2 COS without the premium processing and if I receive my UK interview before the E2 cos was approved can we just leave us to attend interview will thishave a negative impact on me for leaving the Usa before the COS decision is made in the USA ? Attorney has said it’s abandoning an application but what am I doing wrong if I apply for the E2 COS before my i 94 expires lawfully and then choose to leave for my E2 interview in UK if that comes up first ? I don’t want to jeopardize my E2 application in England. Hi looking for some advice. I currently have a pending E2 application in the UK submitted in March 2026 wait time 6-8 months. my last e2 application in December was denied on marginal. I returned to the US in February to meet with attorney revise the application and resubmit. I’m now in the US my I 94 expires end of July.2026 my attorney has advised I can do a E2 COS premium processing, but obviously at a cost. I have asked if we could just do the E2 COS without the premium processing and if I receive my UK interview before the E2 cos was approved can we just leave us to attend interview will thishave a negative impact on me for leaving the Usa before the COS decision is made in the USA ? Attorney has said it’s abandoning an application but what am I doing wrong if I apply for the E2 COS before my i 94 expires lawfully and then choose to leave for my E2 interview in UK if that comes up first ? I don’t want to jeopardize my E2 application in England. ]]> US Immigration, Citizenship and Visas Shark013 https://britishexpats.com/forum/us-immigration-citizenship-visas-34/e2-cos-958027/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/philippines-155/how-make-will-philippines-if-you-foreigner-958017/ Fri, 29 May 2026 07:38:30 GMT I am an English Kiwi. I am 50 years old and male. I have both a U.K. and a New Zealand passport. Plus I have Philippines residency. I will 100 percent never move back to the U.K. Might end up living in Australia but we will see. Anyhow how can I make a will in Philippines and does anyone know of a good lawyer in Manila or maybe Cebu? I am an English Kiwi. I am
50 years old and male. I have both a U.K. and a New Zealand passport. Plus I have Philippines residency. I will 100 percent never move back to the U.K. Might end up living in Australia but we will see.
Anyhow how can I make a will in Philippines and does anyone know of a good lawyer in Manila or maybe Cebu? ]]> Philippines samtheman123 https://britishexpats.com/forum/philippines-155/how-make-will-philippines-if-you-foreigner-958017/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/passport-renewal-958009/ Thu, 28 May 2026 14:00:18 GMT Hi Folks! Has anyone recently renewed their US passport whilst living in the UK? Would I be dealing with the FBU in London again? Also, how was the overall process? TIA, Hi Folks!

Has anyone recently renewed their US passport whilst living in the UK? Would I be dealing with the FBU in London again?

Also, how was the overall process?


TIA, ]]> Moving back or to the UK rlolney58 https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/passport-renewal-958009/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/travel-insurance-include-rental-car-excess-958008/ Thu, 28 May 2026 12:54:38 GMT In Hong Kong we used to have annual travel insurance that included rental car excess. It was about GBP 120 per year each and good value. I spoke to Abbeygate yesterday to see if they have the same and also Medal, and while both had a range of travel policies neither could include rental car excess. The guy from Abbeygate thinks it might be down to my age and suggested they only allow it as an add on up to the age of 65, but he wasn’t sure. Does anyone have any experience of such a policy existing in Portugal? In August and September we have six weeks of travel to various parts of the world and several hire cars booked for some of the destinations. In Hong Kong we used to have annual travel insurance that included rental car excess. It was about GBP 120 per year each and good value. I spoke to Abbeygate yesterday to see if they have the same and also Medal, and while both had a range of travel policies neither could include rental car excess. The guy from Abbeygate thinks it might be down to my age and suggested they only allow it as an add on up to the age of 65, but he wasn’t sure. Does anyone have any experience of such a policy existing in Portugal? In August and September we have six weeks of travel to various parts of the world and several hire cars booked for some of the destinations. ]]> Portugal sportpix https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/travel-insurance-include-rental-car-excess-958008/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/storing-wills-958006/ Thu, 28 May 2026 10:18:37 GMT My Spanish will is stored with the firm that wrote it here, didn’t cross my mind to do anything else. But soon on a visit to the UK I will be completing/signing my will there, but I read varying opinions about how to store it in the UK. I gather there have been a lot of UK solicitor firms closing, and that when that happens the SRA steps in and transfers it to a new firm. But I have a friend in the UK who recently found out (thanks to me) his will made 20 years ago has been through two firms, both now closed, and the current whereabouts a mystery, though hopefully it will turn up. So that puts me off storing it with the solicitor. I’m inclined to use the HCTMS service, but of course that means sending it in the post to Newcastle, albeit from within the UK and recorded delivery, and then waiting for the lodgement certificate, which also seems open to things going wrong. Curious to know what those who have wills in both countries have done. My Spanish will is stored with the firm that wrote it here, didn’t cross my mind to do anything else. But soon on a visit to the UK I will be completing/signing my will there, but I read varying opinions about how to store it in the UK. I gather there have been a lot of UK solicitor firms closing, and that when that happens the SRA steps in and transfers it to a new firm. But I have a friend in the UK who recently found out (thanks to me) his will made 20 years ago has been through two firms, both now closed, and the current whereabouts a mystery, though hopefully it will turn up.
So that puts me off storing it with the solicitor. I’m inclined to use the HCTMS service, but of course that means sending it in the post to Newcastle, albeit from within the UK and recorded delivery, and then waiting for the lodgement certificate, which also seems open to things going wrong. Curious to know what those who have wills in both countries have done. ]]> Spain nedcat https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/storing-wills-958006/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/digital-mobile-key-cmd-958004/ Wed, 27 May 2026 12:30:14 GMT Hi

Can anyone offer advice about using the Digital mobile key (CMD)?

I don't live in Portugal so I have to do everything online. I managed to apply for it online and a letter was sent to my home address with 3 numbers: a referencia, internet access and telephone access numbers. I guess you probably know the letter that I am talking about. Anyway, so far so good.

I entered a website (can't remember which one now) and changed the temporary internet access code to one of my choice. Still going well at this point.

But now I am stuck. I downloaded the auntenticacao.gov.pt app but can't get it working because one of the very first steps is to enter a telephone number and receive an SMS. No SMS arrives. Maybe because my telephone number is not Portuguese???

Also, if I go to the Financas website and try to sign up, I get the same problem. I get as far as the window where I have to enter my telephone number and again, no SMS ever arrives.

Can anyone shed any light on what I am doing wrong?

Thanks



]]> Portugal AV8 https://britishexpats.com/forum/portugal-89/digital-mobile-key-cmd-958004/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/real-estate-lawyers-958001/ Wed, 27 May 2026 09:38:18 GMT If it is allowed, can I ask for recommendations for a real estate lawyer. In Andalucía if possible but otherwise whoever you would say is good. Thanks in advance. If it is allowed, can I ask for recommendations for a real estate lawyer.
In Andalucía if possible but otherwise whoever you would say is good.
Thanks in advance.
]]> Spain Mark604 https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/real-estate-lawyers-958001/ https://britishexpats.com/forum/welcome-inn-145/hello-957991/ Mon, 25 May 2026 03:15:41 GMT Hello Currently living in the Midlands, UK. Working full-time in charity sector, a part-time carer....and dreaming of living abroad in the sun and near the sea! Enjoy yoga and meditation 🙏🏽😊 and socialising especially involving good food. Hello
Currently living in the Midlands, UK. Working full-time in charity sector, a part-time carer....and dreaming of living abroad in the sun and near the sea!
Enjoy yoga and meditation 🙏🏽😊 and socialising especially involving good food. ]]> The Welcome Inn Tetsuyia https://britishexpats.com/forum/welcome-inn-145/hello-957991/