Join Practice Portuguese and start your language learning journey today: https://www.practiceportuguese.com/?ref=19

Check out Kipu Language Exchange on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kipu_languagehub

Join us as we talk with Joss, who has created Kipu Language Exchange, a welcoming community in Faro helping expats and locals connect through language.

If you've been struggling to practice Portuguese or make local friends in the Algarve, this episode is for you! Joss shares how her own experience as a foreigner in Portugal inspired her to create these dynamic language events where people of all ages and skill levels gather to practice Portuguese in a supportive environment. You'll learn about the event structure, how it breaks down social barriers, and get practical tips for mastering Portuguese in everyday life.

Discover how speaking the local language can completely transform your Portugal experience!

Takeaways

• Kipu events create a welcoming, non-judgmental space where beginners can practice Portuguese

• Participants form genuine friendships and connections that extend beyond the language exchange

• Learning Portuguese shows locals you're committed to integration, not just another tourist

• Practical language practice in social settings is essential for mastery, not just classroom learning

• Many Portuguese speakers switch to English when foreigners struggle – ask them to continue in Portuguese

• The events welcome people of all ages and all language abilities

Chapters

01:02 Introduction and Background

03:47 The Concept of Kipu

07:00 Event Structure and Community Building

10:15 Challenges in Learning Portuguese12:49 Impact of Kipu on Participants

16:21 Practical Tips for Learning Portuguese

18:58 Getting Involved with Kipu

21:54 The Importance of Language in Integration

➣CONTACT US for relocation assistance

Get on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

Check out my Instagram on https://www.instagram.com/algarveaddicts/ - I enjoy a little bit of Insta!

#LearnPortuguese #LanguageExchange #AlgarveExpats #FaroPortugal #MoveToPortugal #PortugueseForBeginners #AlgarveLife #ExpatsInPortugal #MakeFriendsAbroad #LanguageLearning #PortugalCommunity #PortugalIntegration #KipuLanguage #FaroEvents

Registrations are open for Stephen’s Travel Writing Course in the Algarve: https://stephenpowellauthor.com/travel-writing-course-in-the-algarve

Check out Stephen’s book “Walking Europe's Edge - Reflections on Portugal”: https://www.silverwoodbooks.co.uk/walking-europes-edge-by-stephen-powell

In this episode, we sit down with former Reuters journalist Stephen Powell at his home in the Algarve to discuss his incredible journey walking the entire length of Portugal. Stephen shares his path from acting aspirations to global journalism, and why he decided to write "Walking Europe's Edge" after hiking 1,500km through Portugal's lesser-known interior.

Discover fascinating stories about unique Portuguese towns, hidden Muslim history, and what motivated this Welshman to make Portugal his home after Brexit.

Takeaways

Before his 27-year Reuters career, Stephen originally wanted to be an actor but chose journalism after traveling the world for two years

Stephen decided to walk Portugal's interior rather than coastal areas to discover places most tourists never see

The Douro Valley's beauty is partly natural but also man-made, with thousands of laborers shaping the terraced vineyards

Tomar brands itself as the town of Knights Templar - Portugal's king simply renamed them when the Pope abolished the order

Mértola celebrates its Muslim heritage and has a museum showing cultural similarities between southern Portugal and Morocco

A unique Sufi warrior monks settlement once existed near Aljezur - the only one in Europe

Brexit was a major factor in Stephen's relocation to Portugal in December 2019

Stephen found Portuguese bureaucracy challenging but values the cultural differences

Chapters

00:00 Introduction & Stephen's background

00:41 From acting aspirations to journalism

01:49 Two years of world travel

03:52 First radio journalism experience

05:41 27 years at Reuters as global correspondent

09:42 Transition to writing travel memoirs

11:07 The Caucasus calling - first book

15:05 Why walk the length of Portugal?

16:50 Walking tradition in travel writing

19:32 Focusing on Portugal's interior

20:03 Most memorable places: Douro Valley

22:36 Tomar and the Knights Templar

25:25 Mértola and its Muslim heritage

27:22 Sufi warrior monks near Aljezur

30:53 Brexit's influence on relocating to Portugal

32:44 Moving just before COVID lockdown

35:30 Comparing Portugal to other relocations

37:30 Advice for people relocating to Portugal

38:33 Cultural differences in efficiency and service

39:54 Portuguese bureaucracy challenges

41:58 Stephen's travel writing retreat

43:48 Rural depopulation in Portugal

45:44 Decline of traditional Portuguese industries

➣CONTACT US for relocation assistance

Get on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.

https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

Check out my Instagram on / algarveaddicts - I enjoy a little bit of Insta!

#PortugalWalking #TravelWriting #AlgarveLife #ExpatsInPortugal #KnightsTemplar #MértolaPortugal #BrexitRelocation #PortugueseHistory #HiddenPortugal #DouroValley #RuralPortugal #PortugalInterior #SufiHistory #WalkingEurope #PortugalRelocation

Wondering if Portugal's new TISRI tax scheme could be your ticket to massive tax savings? In this episode, we sit down with tax expert Ricardo Chaves who breaks down everything you need to know about TISRI (Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Investigation) and how it compares to the old NHR program that's being phased out.

Ricardo explains who qualifies for TISRI, how to apply, and the incredible tax benefits available for digital nomads, remote workers, and high-skilled professionals moving to Portugal. We also chat about how TISRI connects with the EFICI framework and what this means for your relocation plans in 2025.

If you're considering making the Algarve or anywhere in Portugal your home and want to understand these game-changing tax opportunities, this episode is essential listening. No complicated jargon, just straight talk about maximizing your financial situation when moving to Portugal.

Takeaways

TISRI is not open to everyone, unlike NHR.

Eligibility for TISRI requires specific professional qualifications.

TISRI offers a 10-year tax exemption on foreign income.

Setting up a company in Portugal can qualify you for TISRI.

Income from TISRI is taxed at a flat rate of 20%.

Pension income is not exempt under TISRI.

The application process is electronic and must be completed annually.

New residents cannot have been tax residents in the last five years.

Portugal remains an attractive destination for expatriates.

There are various tax deductions and allowances available.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to TISRI and Its Importance

02:55 Differences Between TISRI and NHR

05:51 Eligibility Criteria for TISRI

09:05 Setting Up a Company for TISRI

11:48 Application Process and Requirements

14:58 Broader Implications of TISRI

17:52 Tax Benefits and Opportunities in Portugal

➣CONTACT US for relocation assistance

Get on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.

https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

Check out my Instagram on https://www.instagram.com/algarveaddicts - I enjoy a little bit of Insta!

#PortugalTax #TISRI #EFICI #DigitalNomadPortugal #AlgarveLife #ExpatsInPortugal #PortugalRelocation #TaxBenefitsPortugal