New E6 visa
Jun 14th 2022, 11:30 am
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2017
Location: Greater Lisbon
Posts: 263
Re: New E6 visa
The sad reality, whether one is willing to accept it or not, is that retired British expats are of little or no significant benefit to Portugal, or to most, if not all, of the other EU countries.
It is people of working age with skills, who those countries would accept with open arms; people who would contribute by paying taxes, social security contributions, etc, not only by paying VAT on purchases.
The rest is wishful thinking imho.
Last edited by SgtTroy; Jun 14th 2022 at 11:35 am.
Jun 14th 2022, 12:34 pm
#18
Polished expat
Joined: Jul 2014
Location: Arcos de Valdevez "Onde Portugal se fez"
Posts: 16,819
Re: New E6 visa
I'm not sure sarcasm is warranted regarding anyone seeking to understand the legal options for visiting Portugal.
It's hardly a "have cake & eat it" visa, more like a two cake visa given the application appears to have the same criteria as a residence visa (NIF, bank account, proof of accommodation and income, etc, etc) and is only for a year.
The only difference therefore is possibly the income tax situation (since as a homeowner you pay IMI and everyone pays IVA) but obviously as a non-resident you aren't able to take advantage of resident's benefits.
As a resident, if all your income arises in the UK, it is quite possible, to be just taxed on that income in the UK and then you are able to take advantage of resident's benefits without contributing which is worse.
Many countries (UK and US being two) have 6 month or longer visas for visiting which are comparatively easy to obtain and that would suit me fine.
I know and accept the EU wide rules but if Portugal are able to offer greater access restricted to their territory (as residence is) why should this cause such consternation?
It's hardly a "have cake & eat it" visa, more like a two cake visa given the application appears to have the same criteria as a residence visa (NIF, bank account, proof of accommodation and income, etc, etc) and is only for a year.
The only difference therefore is possibly the income tax situation (since as a homeowner you pay IMI and everyone pays IVA) but obviously as a non-resident you aren't able to take advantage of resident's benefits.
As a resident, if all your income arises in the UK, it is quite possible, to be just taxed on that income in the UK and then you are able to take advantage of resident's benefits without contributing which is worse.
Many countries (UK and US being two) have 6 month or longer visas for visiting which are comparatively easy to obtain and that would suit me fine.
I know and accept the EU wide rules but if Portugal are able to offer greater access restricted to their territory (as residence is) why should this cause such consternation?
I'm also of the purely personal opinion that it could well stand a good chance of being granted and that the timbre of the wording about justification may be for the purposes of Portugal being understood to be complying with its Schengen obligations. Although one individual visiting for upwards of 3 months may not register on most meters of what's important for PT, I think the PT authorities may see it slightly differently when multiplied by however many it is and taking into account that long-stay visitors may well generate further influxes of friends and family and that any of each group might be engaging in activities which benefit local economies, whether or not those are in tourist-reliant areas. They tend, in my understanding, to take a more holistic(? not sure if that's quite the right word but anyway) and long-term view of the value of things as opposed to regarding it as eg one pensioner living on the cheap for a while.
Jun 14th 2022, 12:57 pm
#19
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Wales/Ribatejo
Posts: 575
Re: New E6 visa
" retired British expats are of little or no significant benefit to Portugal, or to most, if not all, of the other EU countries".
Not sure if i agree with that...... retired Brits take with them money to spend thus helping the economy. Buy property which might otherwise be left empty,unsold, abandoned. Paying taxes etc.
I'm not particularly sure about the UK being "welcoming" with their allowance of a 6 month stay going by the reception for my OH got on re-entering here.(EU citizen). He was asked if he lived here(UK car),that his passport showed no evidence that he was allowed to do so(was not aware that passport had to show this and have never been told it should. No idea how to get this done).Asked if he had evidence of any resettlement agreement?(we had the confirmation letter).
Not sure if i agree with that...... retired Brits take with them money to spend thus helping the economy. Buy property which might otherwise be left empty,unsold, abandoned. Paying taxes etc.
I'm not particularly sure about the UK being "welcoming" with their allowance of a 6 month stay going by the reception for my OH got on re-entering here.(EU citizen). He was asked if he lived here(UK car),that his passport showed no evidence that he was allowed to do so(was not aware that passport had to show this and have never been told it should. No idea how to get this done).Asked if he had evidence of any resettlement agreement?(we had the confirmation letter).
Last edited by toots sweet; Jun 14th 2022 at 12:59 pm.
Jun 14th 2022, 1:06 pm
#20
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 418
Re: New E6 visa
Obviously the paying taxes only applies to some of those who become resident and the property side could be a negative as it pushes up prices for the local population as happens in Devon and Cornwall.
Winter visitors to tourist areas may help to provide a little income in the hospitality sector during otherwise fairly quiet times but I wouldn't want to overstate their importance.
I totally agree the reported treatment of EU citizens entering the UK is scandalous but is unfortunately symptomatic.
However wishing to avoid politics
any info on the visa I highlighted initially would be welcome. (I have found one person on Facebook who appears to have obtained it.)
Winter visitors to tourist areas may help to provide a little income in the hospitality sector during otherwise fairly quiet times but I wouldn't want to overstate their importance.
I totally agree the reported treatment of EU citizens entering the UK is scandalous but is unfortunately symptomatic.
However wishing to avoid politics
any info on the visa I highlighted initially would be welcome. (I have found one person on Facebook who appears to have obtained it.)
Jun 15th 2022, 6:26 am
#22
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2019
Location: Lagos and Hong Kong
Posts: 572
Re: New E6 visa
Aug 15th 2023, 12:33 pm
#24
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 418
Re: New E6 visa
I agree with you - nothing at all wrong with finding an appropriate visa for a long visit should one exist.
I'm also of the purely personal opinion that it could well stand a good chance of being granted and that the timbre of the wording about justification may be for the purposes of Portugal being understood to be complying with its Schengen obligations. Although one individual visiting for upwards of 3 months may not register on most meters of what's important for PT, I think the PT authorities may see it slightly differently when multiplied by however many it is and taking into account that long-stay visitors may well generate further influxes of friends and family and that any of each group might be engaging in activities which benefit local economies, whether or not those are in tourist-reliant areas. They tend, in my understanding, to take a more holistic(? not sure if that's quite the right word but anyway) and long-term view of the value of things as opposed to regarding it as eg one pensioner living on the cheap for a while.
I'm also of the purely personal opinion that it could well stand a good chance of being granted and that the timbre of the wording about justification may be for the purposes of Portugal being understood to be complying with its Schengen obligations. Although one individual visiting for upwards of 3 months may not register on most meters of what's important for PT, I think the PT authorities may see it slightly differently when multiplied by however many it is and taking into account that long-stay visitors may well generate further influxes of friends and family and that any of each group might be engaging in activities which benefit local economies, whether or not those are in tourist-reliant areas. They tend, in my understanding, to take a more holistic(? not sure if that's quite the right word but anyway) and long-term view of the value of things as opposed to regarding it as eg one pensioner living on the cheap for a while.
Have to wait and see what happens when it comes to renewal. Obviously if I stay more than 6 months I'll also become tax resident.
Aug 22nd 2023, 3:51 pm
#28
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,698
Re: New E6 visa
Seems like PT has itself `having its cake and eating it` So now `swallows` are able to remain in PT for 6 months at a time, and if property owners and non PT residents have almost the same benefits as being an actual PT resident (ah no, better cause they wont be subject to PT taxes)
Aug 22nd 2023, 3:53 pm
#29
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,698
Re: New E6 visa
Do you know if the time you spend in PT counts towards your allotted 180days in the Schengen area, or would you get another 90+90 in any other Schengen area if you wanted ?
Aug 22nd 2023, 4:01 pm
#30
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 418
Re: New E6 visa
Seems like PT has itself `having its cake and eating it` So now `swallows` are able to remain in PT for 6 months at a time, and if property owners and non PT residents have almost the same benefits as being an actual PT resident (ah no, better cause they wont be subject to PT taxes)
