Originally Posted by GrahamF

We're not here full time either, UK is our main home. For many years, we just visited and stayed with in-laws, using family cars. Later on, we bought our own car and needed a residents parking permit so declared our presence as though we were living at that address. Having retired 22 years ago and moved the boat here, we've obviously spent more time in country and have owned property for a few years. My residence converted to permanent as 5 year temporary had run out a few years before. Unlike many others on this forum, we have never wanted to live here full time and cut ties with UK so we just come and go as and when we want. When purchasing the property, we were aware it could have an effect on our tax status so went down to local tax office and asked the question. We were told not to bother doing returns unless our position changed and we had Portuguese income to declare. As usual, advice we received from one tax officer may well conflict with advice elsewhere.

Originally Posted by Karmal123

Or would the golden visa more appropriate in this case

Originally Posted by Lou71

I would say it's definitely an option for you and you don't have to be tax resident in Portugal unless you go over 183 days. The areas in Portugal where you can buy property under this scheme are limited now but I think parts of my area (Castro Marim) still qualify.

Your best bet is to get in touch with an organisation that specialises in golden visas and get some proper advice.

Alternatively, get an EU passport if you are eligible!

Originally Posted by macliam

It really depends on where you are tax resident.... the rules are relatively simple. There is a difference between residency and tax residency.... I have avoided either, due to the impact of residency on my life in the UK (driving license, insurances, etc. etc.) as well as the issues of taxation. If you are NOT present in Portugal for 183 days per calendar year or more and don't fall into any other category defining you as tax resident in Portugal, then you are OK..... but as the saying goes "it's complicated".

Originally Posted by GrahamF

As you say, it's complicated and there's a Catch 22 situation. If resident for >183 days, one's supposed to be in tax system but, if not in country for at least 183 days, temporary residence can be cancelled. With permanent, I can be out IIRC for 2 years. After Brexit vote, many applied for temporary residence, not because they want to live here but don't want to be limited to 90-/180. When passports are scanned on entry/exit, border staff know exactly when we arrived or left and I do wonder if they are instructed to ignore the residence stay rules or just can't be bothered. May well change when new EU database up and running in a year or two.

Originally Posted by macliam

An EU passport won't help with tax residency..... this is based on residency, not citizenship

Originally Posted by Karmal123

How do you live in PT and stay a Uk tax resident. Is the D7 relevant for this. I don’t want to apply for the NHR as i have a business that i run in the UK remotely for much of the time but i need to be registered here for tax so that i can access loans etc I’m just not sure that under D7 and residency rules that i am allowed to do both. Any advice would be great

Originally Posted by NSG666

You've been weeks away from moving to various parts of Portugal for the past five years but if you are serious this time you might want to explore whether creating a limited company would work for you. I don't know so the following is just a thought:
The limited company would be a UK entity and liable for corporation tax in the UK and give you access to UK loans but personally you could become PT resident (and tax resident) using the D7 route and have your income and dividends taxed in PT under the NHR scheme. As has been suggested, for a few quid it's worth buying the Blevin Franks Living in Portugal book.

Otherwise, we'll hear from you next year!

Originally Posted by macliam

Tell me about it! I have been dancing this Tango for many years... and my continued European citizenship allows me to stay longer than a UK citizen, but doesn't help with the rest. The whole area of citizenship, residence and tax-residence is a quagmire...... and in our cases, being married to Portuguese citizens makes it even more complicated.

I would dearly love to take residency, were it not that it would impact my life outside Portugal, i would accept tax residency for current income and assets in Portugal, were it not that assets built up and investments made during a lifetime outside Portugal would not suddenly become a windfall for the Portuguese state. But we are where we are....

Originally Posted by GrahamF

I've actually wondered about giving up residency to make life easier as just a tourist but haven't been able to find the info I need. Being married to an EU citizen allows unlimited time in EU (in her company) and usual reporting if in any State >3 months but, I can't find anything to say I must have residence in her State of citizenship or, elsewhere in EU. Although my passport would indicate I'm in Portugal >3months at a stretch, in truth we're often away sailing in Spain, Gib or Morocco, although there are no exit stamps to confirm this. Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by macliam

TIf your residency is not impacting you in the UK (as mine would) then there seems little point in rocking the boat..... why do you think it would be an advantage to you?

Originally Posted by GrahamF

Residence here has had no impact for me in UK as we're still resident there but cancelling my Portuguese residence would avoid having to to deal with anything "official", no grey area with tax or, need for driving license exchange, medical, etc. You're correct about loss of free health care but UK EHIC would suffice. Wife would remain as dual citizen with usual benefits in both places. I really don't see a downside if free travel would still apply with marriage.

Originally Posted by GrahamF

I've actually wondered about giving up residency to make life easier [...]

Originally Posted by RichardHenshall

You seem to have qualified for permanent residency, somehow. Doesn't that also mean you've qualified to apply for Portuguese nationality, which would then allow you to lose your residency without any meaningful loss of rights?

Originally Posted by GrahamF

Yes, I could obtain citizenship but don't want to become a Portuguese national.