I will be the first to congratulate Ron if he posts his success on this forum . That he has navigated the maze of rules regarding tax, social security and running a business.
However like almost 100% of those who arrive in the Algarve with the same ideas and appear on Forums we never hear from them again.
Why because it is 90% sure that once the money runs out they have to return to the UK or they are living hand to mouth in the black economy on what little work they can get.

I also wish Ron the very best of luck with his move and thereafter but EMR is dead right in that an awful lot of Brits come over here thinking it'll be easy to find work and the truth is that isn't the case and many of them struggle to earn a living.

I adore life in Portugal but I'm helluva glad I don't have to find work here.

Hello everyone.

I met Ronnie a few days ago and from our brief meeting I can say he is a very humble person. I think his only purpose here was to get a bit of encouragement rather than having negative comments, and he came here in this forum where he thought he could get "help" among his own fellow British citizens.

Being realistic is good. I do agree that work here is low, but I don't think Ronnie moved here to become the next Rockefeller.

I am sure if anyone needed a job done he would be more than happy to accustom himself to local prices and do a great job too.

Changing our lives around and move to a new country is not easy for anyone, so is always good to accompany negative outlooks with positive encouragements.

Happy holidays everyone!

The best advice and ecouragementthat you can give anyone who is thinking of or has moved to Portugal with limited income or resources who needs to work and who does not speak Portuguese or has a skill not available locally is DO NOT.

I give up

That is exactly what 100,s who arrive in Portugal have to do every year.
Why do you think that there is a huge net outflow of skilled Portuguese it is because of the lack of job opportunities.

EMR,

I DO understand your point, trust me I really do. BUT we are talking about someone who has come here to spend a nice quiet humble life. Not to become reach and famous. The little he will earn from the little he will do, will be enough for him.

I am not sure why you assume he doesn't have money to sustain himself or that he will have to be forced to go back to UK at some point, when you don't even know him or his situation.

Why being negative at any cost without knowing the facts?

Because they're grumpy ole gits ????

Negativity never helped any-one and it certainly puts me off from posting more on here.

I do not Know Rons circumstances he may well be just looking for a little work to top up pension or what ever.
But the advice given is general, in the years I have been on Portuguese forums I honestly cannot remember I person who asked the same questions as Ron who came back and posted that they it had all worked out for them.

I am not being negative I am being factual.

Ron have you even looked at the rules regarding self employed status in Portugal , are you aware of the social security payments that become mandatory in the second year even if you are earning very little.
Are you aware of the changes in the enforcement of rental licenses and tax that will mean even less casual work as owners will want full receipts etc to
minimise their tax liability etc.

If you do not need to work then do not worry about it and enjoy Portugal.

Think I am going to sell my house!

I don't think anyone is trying to do the guy a disservice.

But they are trying to give him sensible, down to earth advice so that he stands the best chance of making a success of his new life.

surely, if everyone here sugar coated it and told him it's going to be easy and PT is the land of milk and honey and then he discovers that isn't true then they're not being of any real help to him?

The advice that's been given might be somewhat blunt but it's not inaccurate and if it's not inaccurate then it's good advice.

WOOOOOOO Guys
Seems I have started quite a thread here it was never my intention to start a heated debate!!
Yes EMR I do want the facts unsugar coated but its the negativity I dont need I knew before I came here PT was on its knee's I also knew that I would have to work hard, network, ask for advice, learn the local customs, learn Portuguese and many other things to survive in this wonderful country.
But this is my challenge I choose to take so far I have been lucky and through this site and others like it I have managed to get work and have met a lovely lady (Flowerblossom) who I hope has quickly become a great and supportive friend. Surely this shows that the site does work but only if we all stay positive.
My offer to meet for coffee still stands if you have the time?
RobCarolyn you post made me laugh ha ha
I would like to wish every one a very happy x mas a positive new year
Kindest Regards
Ronnie

Ronnie

Your positive attitude will make succeeding a lot more possible so you're making a very good start and I wish you all the luck in the world. - If you can make a success of it then you'll find that life in PT is bloody marvellous

In the meantime, a merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all here.

Like many of us I dip into the forum on a regular basis and enjoy reading the various threads and find the people on the site very helpful. EMR and MFESHARNE are good contributors and have been very fair with their advice.
I have read Ronnie's stuff as another 'I am moving to Portugal thread' and over the years have seen many of them. Usually I do not comment as I do not have anything useful to add to what others post, just read through the thread and often learn something that I did not previous know.
I will confess that I often wonder if the people that start these posts have given it more than a moments thought before posting on the site and I expect after Christmas, there will be a spate of new 'I am thinking of moving' threads. But live and let live.
Ronnie has had good advice, been warned and if I can say it, all the doom and gloom anyone needs.
I wish him the best of luck and hope he enjoys his time in Portugal and that this site can continue to be a useful resource to him and everyone else that uses it.
Happy Christmas to all.