Heading to Portugal and looking to experience the country in a unique way? If you are sick and tired of the same old bus tours, booking a river cruise for a day could be the way to go. The main rivers in Portugal are the Tagus river, the Douro river, the Guadiana, Minho, and Lima, with the most popular cruises sailing the first two. Coming from Spain, the Tagus river is the longest on the Iberian Peninsula, over 1,000 kilometers long, and flows through Abrantes, Entrocamento, Santarem, Almada, Vila Franca de Xira, and Lisbon. The Douro river is the most popular for cruises, particularly wine river cruises. Located in the North of the country, it gave its name to the region of Douro near Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. If you are overwhelmed by endless river cruise options in Portugal, here are our top 9 Portugal river cruises 2022.
One of the most popular cruises in Porto is a 9.5 hour all-inclusive Douro river cruise that allows guests to spend a full day discovering the landscapes of the Douro valley. Hop on a traditional Portuguese Rabelo boat in Porto which will take you to Peso da Regua, Pinhao, and Sabrosa. The cruise includes two spots to wine estates where you will get to taste some of the finest wines produced in the vineyards. You will also get to stop at viewpoints to enjoy the scenery and taste a typical Douro lunch which includes an olive oil tasting. The whole river cruise includes a tour guide to teach you about the area, available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. This cruise is always ready to sell out so book ahead of your trip to Porto!
Organized by Taguscruises Boat Tours, this private 12-person river cruise sails off the Tagus river and Atlantic ocean to the quaint coastal town of Cascais. From Lisbon to the Portuguese Riviera, guests enjoy a ride on a luxury yacht that is between 7 and 18 meters long, featuring toilets, a kitchenette, an audio system, and a full crew. The departure is from Belem, cruising along the coast so you get to see the Lisbon sights, and then heads east to Cascais bay. Here, the yacht is anchored for 2 to 4 hours for some swimming. Soft drinks are included, but the food is not so pack a lunch.
Located in Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal, this cruise allows you to sail on the freshwater of the River Vouga on the colorful boats known as moliceiros. You will get picked up by your guide in Porto, either at a meeting point or your accommodation and they will drive you to Aveiro. Throughout the drive, you will get to learn about the history and development of Portugal. In Aveiro, you will ride a Moliceiro, a traditional Aveiro boat throughout the stunning river canals, with a stop at Costa Nova do Prado beach.
Departing from Porto, this Douro and Regua cruise on a large boat allows you to discover the Port wine region. The cruise includes a large breakfast, as well as lunch while you admire the Douro valley and goes through the 14-meter Crestuma-Lever Dam and the Carrapatelo Dam. Audio guides are also included in four different languages. The cruise stops at Regua where you can enjoy the town with friends. The route back is done by train.
This river cruises upon the Rio Guadiana river allowing you to see the real Algarve and discover its cuisine and culture. On this full-day cruise, you will get to follow the river that forms the border between Portugal and Spain, as well as top at Foz de Oleite and Quinta do Rio to explore the sights. Your guide will teach you about the history and cultural heritage of the Algarve throughout the discovery. Unlike many Portugal cruises, this one features an included lunch and entertainment as you will get to enjoy regional cuisine with live music playing in the background.
If you prefer a shorter cruise, this wine cruise on the Tagus river allows you to sail the river while discovering popular sights such as the 25th of April bridge, the Monument of Discoveries, and the Belém Tower. You can choose to have the cruise at sunset to enjoy a beautiful view, featuring alcoholic drinks and snacks.
Sail on a traditional “Six Bridges” cruise in Porto along the Douro river along the route of the Rabello Boats. This panoramic cruise provides gorgeous views of Porto and allows guests to follow in the footsteps of the old wine merchants that took the wine to wine cellars. You will get to snap stunning photos of Ribeira and Vila Nova de Gaia from the river, while a guide tells you about the history of the city. The cruise arrives at the last bridge where you can see the sandy beaches of Foz do Douro where the river finally pours into the ocean.
Douro river cruises are often busy so for a more luxurious and personalized experience, book this private yacht cruise along the river from Pinhao. The boat offers guests an opportunity to enjoy the Douro valley from an indoor glassed lounge with 360-degree views while enjoying a glass of Port wine. The boat also includes an outdoor deck where guests can sit outside and enjoy the panoramic views.
For those looking to explore Lisbon in a unique way, the Tagus River yellow boat cruise cruises down the Tagus River, passing by the bridge, the Belem Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery, and other iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites. The ticket for the journey also includes access to public trams and the Santa Justa lift, as well as discounts on products and services. You can hop in the yellow boat whenever you feel like sailing through the Tagus River, as well as stop at local monuments and sights to roam on your own.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said this Monday, on World Refugee Day that defending the rights of refugees “is an obligation” in Portugal and that the Portuguese regularly show “inclusion and tolerance” to refugees. The president thanked the Portuguese for their “individual and collective effort”, in a press release on the official page of the Portuguese presidency.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said, “From Ukraine and Afghanistan to Mozambique, I cite merely three places where war, human rights violations, and climate change have led millions to dislocate in search for protection”.
He goes on to say, “Defending the rights of refugees, welcoming and integrating them, is more than just about conscience, it is an obligation in a democratic and plural society with a future”.
World Refugee Day is an international day led by the United Nations to honor refugees all over the globe and build empathy and understanding for the struggles of refugees. It promotes the right to seek asylum, safe access to open borders, and the humane treatment of refugees.
Every person has the right to seek safety – whoever they are, wherever they come from & whenever they are forced to flee.
AirBus A330 of the company World2Fly made an emergency landing at Lisbon Airport on Saturday at 7:09 PM. The aircraft departed Lisbon to Varadero, Cuba but had issues with its aircraft landing gear and had over 330 passengers on board.
The flight departed on Saturday at 4:36 PM from Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon and by 5:30 was flying over Sintra to waste fuel, a normal procedure in these situations. The plane did this for over 2 hours.
An orange alert was declared at 4:52 PM and air traffic was suspended for five minutes, but other flights were not changed to other airports. Security measures at Lisbon airport included a team of firefighters, the INEM, and police at the runway, as well as workers at emergency exits in case of evacuation.
The CEO of World2Fly said that “there was no damage in the plan, nor an emergency”. Lisbon Airport merely activated the measures of emergency out of precaution and all the passengers were safe. At 9 PM the plane took off once again on its 9-hour journey to Cuba.
Scientists at the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal have discovered a mechanism that can help repair brain cells that have been damaged by a stroke. Ten scientists at the foundation found that the brain can produce new neurons through reserves of special cells. Strokes lead to brain lesions that depending on their location, can cause motor and cognitive impairments. These can lead to a loss of memory or the ability to speak.
In an announcement by the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, the lead scientist on the study Christa Rhiner says they “found neural stem cells that detect the damage and repair tissue”. They go on to say this development “constitutes a first step in the development of drugs that promote the formation of new neurons after brain lesions”.
Rhiner and her team utilized flies and rats to understand how brain regeneration works. Rhiner says that “like our brain, the brains of animals also contain neural stem cells”. Moreover, the scientist says that many molecules and forms of intercellular communication are common in humans, flies, and rats. Therefore, she says that “it is probable that these animal models are relevant to understanding human physiology”.
The scientists in the study found a transport protein called “Swim” in the damaged area of brains and found that it is crucial to regenerate brain lesions. They found that “Swim” is produced when levels of oxygen decrease in the damaged area of the brain, leading certain cells to produce the protein. This discovery means that the scientists now know the factors necessary to regenerate brain cells in rats and flies. They hope a similar mechanism is present in the human brain.
Anabel Simões, a PhD student at the foundation says that with this discovery, new questions arise. “For example, how can we help these new neurons survive in the tissue as it heals? This is a fascinating journey and we are excited to see what we find next”.
The Champalimaud Foundation is a private biomedical research foundation founded in 2004, by the late entrepreneur António de Sommer Champalimaud.
A 25 year old woman was arrested at Lisbon Airport for taking a 9 millimeter gun in her hold luggage. The arrest was announced by the Police of Public Security (PSP) on Friday but occurred on June 9. The gun appeared on the airport x-ray and was not declared at check-in.
The woman told PSP that she did not know about the 9 millimeter gun. She has been arrested, declared a defendant, and will face the judicial process. It is unclear whether the woman was a tourist, resident, or Portuguese citizen.
The PSP has said that “after collecting the luggage, a 9 millimeter gun was found with a charger, disguised in the middle of clothes”.
According to the TAP website, only licensed gun owners can take a firearm and ammunition. At Lisbon airport, passengers must contact PSP in the inspection area for a gun permit and legal verification. If accepted, the firearm must be declared at check-in and must only go in the hold luggage. Guns are NOT allowed in cabin luggage. This does not apply to all destinations, check out the legal requirements beforehand.
Women’s rights were two words never truly uttered prior to the Carnation Revolution of 1974. The aftermath of the 25 of April and the end of the fascist regime Estado Novo meant the creation of the constitution of 1976 where women in Portugal received full legal equality with Portuguese men. Women were allowed to vote for the first time on equal terms as men, but it took until the 1990s to see real progress such as women becoming equally accepted in the labor force. However, only in the 2000s did abortion become legal, and domestic violence legislation improved. Let’s take a look at the progress of women’s rights across the decades in Portugal, from the Estado Novo until today.
Women’s Rights During the Estado Novo
During the Estado Novo regime between 1933 and 1974, women’s rights were heavily restricted. Under this fascist authoritarian regime, women were perceived as instrumental figures to the Estado Novo, forced to perpetuate social norms of “feminity” to maintain “family life”. Article number 5 of the Constitution of 1933 stated that citizens were equal, “except for the woman, the differences resulting from her nature and the good of the family”. According to Cova and Pinto, Salazarism “used female “nature” to deny women complete equality”.
The country was predominantly roman catholic under dictator Salazar and his ideology surrounding women’s “nature” was rooted in messages repeated by the Catholic Church. Women’s “nature” meant that women were expected to stay at home, take care of children, and unfortunately, keep their mouths shut. The only role of a woman was to be a dedicated wife and loving mother, a role that her family trained her to do since childhood. Salazar spread conservative propaganda that cemented the “state’s main duty to defend the family as an institution”, according to Cova and Pinto.
Financial abuse against women was institutionalized. The law actually allowed a husband to prohibit a wife from working outside the home, as well as allowed husbands to prohibit wives from exercising any lucrative activities. Women were not allowed to access certain professions (diplomat, military, etc), and certain professions (like nursing) limited rights, such as the right to marry. Until 1969, a wife needed the consent of her husband to travel to another country. Contraceptives were only allowed for health reasons and even so, the husband needed to give consent. Abortion was illegal in all cases, with a prison sentence of up to 8 years.
Women did not have universal suffrage during the Estado Novo, despite claims. Although women were technically allowed to vote in the 1933 constitutional referendum for the first time, they were not allowed to do so on the same terms as men. Men only needed to know how to read and write to vote, while women needed secondary education which was uncommon.
In 1960, illiteracy was also high, at 36.7% for women and 24.9% for men. Despite this and the belief that women should stay at home, many went off to work, receiving less than their male counterparts. However, as the 60s progressed, upper and middle-class women faced reduced professional discrimination as they had higher literacy rates and financial privilege.
Moreover, at this time, the Portuguese Colonial War was underway and African women were regularly raped. Many academics now situate these acts “at the core of Portuguese colonial violence”, such as Garraio. The Portuguese Colonial war only ended due to the Carnation Revolution in 1974, having lasted over 13 years and killed thousands.
Women’s Rights in Post-Dictatorship Portugal
Women only received full legal equality with men with the 1976 constitution, after the Carnation Revolution of April 25, 1974, which ended the Estado Novo after over 40 years of oppression. In the last 48 years of democracy, much progress has been done to improve the lives and rights of women in Portugal. After the dictatorship, women had easier access to professions that were before excluded from women, as well as labor rights such as maternal (and paternal) leave, the abolishment of the right of husbands to open their wives’ mail, and universal suffrage.
But perhaps the largest change in the law to emancipate women came only over 30 years after the revolution. During the Estado Novo, there were over 100,000 illegal abortions a year estimated, the third largest cause of maternal death. On April 10, 2007 abortion was finally legalized after the Portuguese abortion referendum with 59% of votes in support. Prior to 2007, those undergoing abortions faced up to three years in prison, except in cases of rape and danger to health. However, abortions can only be performed if the pregnancy has not exceeded 10 weeks. Abortions at later stages are only allowed for particular reasons such as rape. Eight years later, in 2015, Portugal tightened its abortion laws after religious groups led to changes in the law. A mandatory three-day waiting period is now enforced called a “reflection period”. Psychological counseling before ending a pregnancy became recommended.
However, there is still a lot of work to be done to achieve gender equality in Portugal. Portugal ranks 16th in the EU on the Gender Equality Index with 61.3 out of 100 points. The index found that women continued to earn less than men in 2020. Among people with low, medium, and high levels of education, women earn 28%, 30%, and 25% less than men, respectively. However, in 2019 a pay equity law passed that reinforces equal payment across gender for equal work, making it easier for employees and unions to request help for gender-based wage discrimination.
Domestic violence is the second-most registered crime in Portugal, after theft, with over 26,000 cases reported in 2018 and over 29,000 in 2019. Of the latter, 84% of victims were female and in 23% of cases, there were previous incidents of violence. In Portugal, domestic violence is a public crime, meaning anyone can report it without the victim’s consent. Moreover, domestic abuse encompasses any behavior that inflicts suffering, with or without intent, such as physical, sexual, emotional, financial, verbal abuse, as well as social isolation. If you are at risk of domestic abuse contact the Portuguese Victim Support APAV at +351 116 006 for legal advice, as well as psychological support. For emergencies, call 112.
To many, the domestic violence we still see today in Portugal stems from the Estado Novo. Antonio Ventinhas says that “domestic violence results in many cases from a mentality present in the Estado Novo where the man is the head of the household and held the authority at home”.
Additionally, women and girls aged 15 and up spend over 17% of their time on unpaid care and domestic work, compared to around 10% of men, according to UN Women. The EU Gender Equality Index 2020 confirms this, with the care gender gap in Portugal being among the widest in the EU. There are currently no measures to address the feminization of unpaid care work.
However, in March of 2021, the Supreme Court of Justice in Portugal made an ex-partner of a woman pay almost €61,000 in compensation for the domestic work performed during the 30 years of a non-marital partnership. The woman had taken care of the home and the children, leading to her impoverishment and the enrichment of her partner, according to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court also said that “domestic work, although it remains strangely invisible to many, obviously has an economic value and translates into enrichment in savings of expenses”.
While progress has been made, there is still a lot of work to be done. It is clear that the impact of over 40 years of fascism does not vanish overnight.
Around 2700 vaccines against Monkeypox will be arriving in Portugal. Through the agency HERA, the European Commission signed a deal for the supply of Monkeypox vaccines for EU countries. The distribution of vaccines will be carried out proportionally to the population of different countries.
The distribution operation is still being developed with the European Commission but will prioritize the countries most affected. Currently, there are 240 cases of Monkeypox, known as Variola dos Macacos, in Portugal, making it the third member state in the European Union with the most cases.
The DGS has said that the National Vaccination Program, Technical Commission for Vaccination, and Infarmed are evaluated a vaccination strategy for the doses available to Portugal. It is still unclear how the vaccines will be distributed in Portugal.
According to DGS, all of the confirmed cases of Monkeypox in Portugal have been reported in men between the ages of 19 and 61, with most of them under the age of 40. Most cases were reported in Lisbon and Vale do Tejo, with some cases in the north and the Algarve. All cases remain stable and under supervision.
On Tuesday, the European Commission announced that almost 110,000 doses of the vaccine have been attributed through a contract. The vaccines will be distributed proportionally to the population at the end of June. The contract includes distributing the Monkeypox vaccines to all EU member states, as well as Iceland and Norway.
The vaccine is called Imvanex, a third-generation vaccine that is currently approved in Europe to prevent smallpox, but that is also effective against Monkeypox.
According to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the WHO, the virus “is behaving in an uncommon manner” due to the increase in cases in countries.
Since the beginning of the year, the WHO has registered over 1600 cases of Monkeypox in 39 countries, including 32 countries that had not previously registered outbreaks.
A place where nature and modern tourism meet, Peneda-Geres National Park is a national treasure in northern Portugal, one that many tourists do not know about. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Peneda-Geres National Park covers over 700 km2 of protected land with stunning mountain trails, river beaches, and historical villages such as Geres. The Peneda-Geres National Park consists of four main mountain ranges: Peneda, Geres, Amarela, and Soajo.
From swimming in the lagoons among the mountain ranges, discovering some of the best hiking trails in the country, as well as tasting the regional cuisine, Peneda-Geres National Park has a lot to offer for any kind of tourist. Make sure to pack comfortable hiking shoes and dress in layers with a bathing suit at hand, you never know when you’ll find a beautiful waterfall!
How to get to Geres? Located in the northwest of Portugal between Upper Minho and Tras-os-Montes, the best way to get here is by car. It is around 1.5 hours from Porto and 40 minutes from Braga by car and while public transport to the region is available, we recommend booking a guided tour or private vehicle for convenience.
Things to do in Peneda-Geres National Park
Hiking: Best trails in Peneda-Geres National Park
Peneda-Geres National Park features some of the most amazing hiking trails in all of Portugal, fit for hikers of all physical conditions. We recommend booking a guided tour so you do not get lost. This tour includes a hiking trail to a waterfall, as well as a trip on a 4×4 Land Rover, and a traditional Portuguese lunch. Book this hiking and sightseeing private tour where you will get to discover the park’s landscape, fauna, and flora, as well as rivers and waterfalls.
If you prefer to hike on your own, here are our four favorite trails in Peneda-Geres National Park for hiking.
1. Cidade da Calcedonia – PR1 TBR
If you are brave enough for this high difficulty level trail, the Cidade da Caledonia trail is 6.5 kilometers and allows you to explore an ancient fortified village from the Iron Age. You will get to discover archaeological items dating back hundreds of years. The trail takes around 5 hours and you will get a view of the Covide vale, as well as find some cows. However, beware this is one of the hardest hiking trails in Geres and should not be hiked alone.
2. Sao Bento – PR7 PBR
A 10 kilometers hike in Sao Bento, this trail takes around 4 hours and a half and is of medium-level difficulty. The hike stretches along the south-eastern cliffs of the Caldo river and you will get to discover interesting religious sites such as the Basilica of St. Benedict, Portugal’s second-largest sanctuary. You will find granite stones with the ancient footprints of St. Eufemia on the way, as well as find evidence of nearby bears and wolves.
3. Preguica – PR10 TBR
Translating to “hike of laziness”, this trail is of medium difficulty and is 4 kilometers long. Within the three hours of the hikes, you will see the river Gere, a diversity of trees, and the Preguica viewpoint. The hike starts at Casa da Preguica and you will enjoy the views of the Geres valley that goes all the way to the Canicada dam.
4. Sobreiral da Ermida do Geres – PR14 TBR
A 13-kilometer hiking trail that takes 5 hours, Sobreiral da Ermida do Geres is a medium-level difficulty hike that goes through forest areas. However, the highlight of the hike is the Arado waterfall, perfect for taking some photos. Starting in the Ermida viewpoint, the trail also goes through the Arado bridge, built in 1936, and a cork oak farm filling 200 hectares.
Explore the Traditional Villages in Peneda-Geres National Park
The Peneda-Geres National Park is not only the home of natural beauty and nature but of historic villages that have been around for centuries and luckily rightfully preserved. If you are looking to discover these in between hikes and swimming, our three favorite villages in Peneda-Geres National Park are Geres, Fafiao, and Tourem.
The village Geres gives the national park its name and is probably the most well-known village inside the park. The village has many spas, hotels, and regional shops, as well as houses with locals who still live there.
Fafiao village is a small one and features less than two Portuguese traditional restaurants. The village is home to a popular attraction, Fojo do Lobo, an ancient trap built to hunt wolves. The attraction has two walls that are two meters high and 64 meters long.
Tourem used to be a border defense town in the 13th century against Spain, but today is the location of historical attractions. For example, the stunning church of S. Pedro dates back to the 13th century and is made of granite, as well as the monastery of Santa Maria de Junias. The village also features green meadows and is highly isolated as you will not see other villages around.
Photo by Álvaro Montanha (Unsplash)
Camping: Where to Camp in Peneda-Geres National Park
Peneda-Geres National Park features beautiful campsites where you can pitch your tent for a real nature experience. The large park features many camping options that are affordable at less than 5 euros a night per person. Here are a few campsites that are popular with tourists and locals alike:
Ermida Geres Camping: Located in the village of Ermida, this camping site is family-run and features bathrooms with hot water, internet, campervan camping, a bar, and a barbecue. They even provide camping equipment so you do not need to bring anything.
Parque Cerdeira: Located in the heart of the park, this campsite offers tent spots, as well as tree tents, bungalows, and a tarp tied to trees. It also has a swimming pool and a kids adventure park.
Geres Green Park: Located on the river banks of Cabril river, this campsite is close to hiking trails There are 48 tent spots and 3 caravan sites, a barbecue, pub, laundry, dishwasher, snack bar, and more.
Vale dos Moinhos: 1.5 kilometers away from the village of Geres, this campsite offers affordable rooms and spots to camp your tent. It is close to waterfalls and you can swim in the Geres river and Barragem da Albufeira lake nearby. The campsite features a barbecue, wifi, free parking, and more.
Ponte Saltos Camping: Located at the banks of Cavado River, this campsite features a barbecue grill, direct access to Canicada Dam, a mini-market, a bar, and more. They even offer electric bike rental!
Swim in the Lagoons in Peneda-Geres National Park
You cannot miss a beach day at the lagoons in Peneda-Geres National Park. Among the valleys of the four mountain ranges of the park, you will find plenty of gorgeous natural lagoons. Do not forget to pack water and food as facilities will be close to impossible to find nearby. Here are our favorite lagoons in Peneda-Geres National Park for those hot summer days:
Poco Azul: This lagoon has crystal-clear waters and is one of the most popular in Geres, featuring a small waterfall. However, to get to Poco Azul, you must hike through an 8-kilometer trail.
Sete Lagoas: Translating to seven lagoons, these lagoons are located against the Cavado River and the temperatures can reach 20 degrees celsius. To get to the lagoons there are multiple hikes, the shortest starting from Xertelo village (5 kilometers).
Arado Lagoa: Located on the Arado river near Ermida, this lagoon has one of the largest waterfalls in Geres. You can get there by car. The lagoon is formed by the waterfall and offers crystal clear waters.
Photo by Micael Rodrigues (Unsplash)
5 Best Restaurants near Peneda-Geres National Park: Where to eat in Geres?
1. Taberna da Ti Ana da Eira
A well-kept secret, Taberna da Ti Ana da Eira is one of the best restaurants in the region, located in Montalegre. The dishes are produced from regional products, many from the actual village. Like a Portuguese miradouro (viewpoint), the family-run restaurant boasts large windows that offer panoramic views of the Paradela reservoir and the Peneda-Geres National Park. We recommend the alheira and the traditional Cozido a Portuguesa made with local meats.
2. Restaurante Casa Capela
Located in the Geres village, Casa Capela is a cozy Portuguese restaurant with affordable prices overlooking the Geres Park. If you’re looking for large dishes that will fill you up after a hike, head here. Meals are cooked on a traditional wood stove for an authentic experience. We recommend the cabritinho assado (veal) and the Polvo a Lagareiro (octopus), as well as the Pudim Abade de Presicos (caramel pudding) for dessert.
3. Restaurante Pedra Bela
Located in Terras do Bouro, Pedra Bela is known for its meats cooked on a wood stove and a welcoming environment. However, do not just try the meats as the octopus and codfish dishes are some of the best in the region. The restaurant pays homage to the local gastronomy, as well as local products and is committed to making every guest feel like a family member.
4. Restaurante Cerdeira
Located in the Peneda-Geres National Park in Parque Cerdeira, Cerdeira Restaurant is a reference in local gastronomy and overlooks the gorgeous green mountains. A large restaurant seating up to 100 people, Cerdeira focuses on serving delicious dishes of Minho by sourcing local products such as vegetables from the garden. We recommend the Bacalhau a Lagareiro (codfish) and the costeletao (veal), while vegetarian dishes are also available.
5. Saber ao Borralho
Located in the village of Soajo, Saber ao Borralho opened in 2006 and has been a local favorite ever since. The restaurant is surrounded by typical granite houses and is decorated traditionally according to the village traditions. Although Saber ao Borralho serves a range of delicious regional foods, we recommend the cachena stew, containing meat, rice, beans, and vegetables. The bacalhau com broa is also delicious, a codfish dish with cornbread.
Transportation in Peneda-Geres National Park: How to get around Geres
If you were looking forward to traveling around Geres by bus, not so fast. There is barely any public transportation. We recommend traveling by car so you can access as many villages, waterfalls, and lagoons as possible. In reality, you will also be doing some walking if you want to access the best-kept secrets of the park. Rent a car here for affordable prices. In fact, if you are flying to Porto you can pick a car up at the airport and return it when you fly back home.
If you are looking for a cabin experience in the middle of the woods – Secret do Geres in Viera do Minho is the best spot to book. Offering one-bedroom treehouses surrounded by nature, each unit comes equipped with wood balconies, a private bathroom, and a double bed. The property also features a swimming pool, garden, and room service for breakfast in bed. Tahiti waterfall is only 8 kilometers away and the Geres park is 7 kilometers away.
Featuring comfortable one, two, and three-bedroom houses, Pousada Village is located in Vieira do Minho and overlooks the river and valley. The property features a restaurant, bar, garden, and outdoor pool for guests to enjoy. A sauna and indoor pool are also available at Pousada Village. Each unit comes equipped with a flat-screen TV, a seating area with a sofa, a kitchen, and a private bathroom. The property is located 12 kilometers from Tahiti waterfall and less than 5 kilometers from the Geres park.
Located in Vieira do Minho, DOBAU Village is less than 4 kilometers away from Geres park. Featuring a large outdoor swimming pool, a children’s playground, barbecue, terrace, and gorgeous views of the river, DOBAU Village provides a luxurious hotel experience for an affordable price near Geres. The property offers apartments sleeping up to six people with private bathrooms, mountain and river views, a flat-screen TV, and a private terrace.
Located only a 2-minute walk from Albufeira Geres river beach, Selina Geres is a popular hostel offering private rooms, beds in dormitories, and even glamping tents. The ideal off-grid escape, Selina Geres is located on the shores of Cavado River and features a restaurant-bar, cinema room, rooftop, yoga deck, and outdoor pool. There are plenty of social events at Selina Geres, as well as yoga lessons. The property is a 7-minute drive away from Peneda-Geres National Park and a 10-minute drive from the village center.
A 4-star hotel, Tempus Hotel & Spa is located less than 15 kilometers from Peneda-Geres National Park. The hotel features a restaurant serving Portuguese cuisine, a bar, as well as several pools. The property also features a high-quality spa and wellness center which includes a sauna, hot tub, Turkish bath, and indoor pool. The modern rooms come equipped with a private bathroom, a living area with a sofa, and a flat-screen TV.
The Portuguese government is creating a new visa that simplifies procedures for foreigners who want to work in Portugal. The new work visa allows foreigners to enter Portugal for six months and is also targeted at higher education students. Digital nomads will also be allowed to have a residence visa.
Ana Catarina Mendes, the Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said that the new visa would reduce bureaucracy and increase the validity of documents. The visa aims to “revitalize the job market, attracting more human resources”.
When questioned by journalists, Ana Catarina Mendes said that “fiscal incentives are not expected, as well as other incentives other than a state that is more friendly to citizens and more simplified”.
When asked about whether the work visa will promote cheap labor, the Deputy Minister said that the goal of the current government is to increase the minimum wage “for all that arrive here and are already here”.
The visa includes good news for families that want to move to Portugal. Until now, a foreign citizen would need legal status to bring family over to Portugal. With this work visa, the family of the citizen can move right away.
The visa will still need to be debated in parliament. Therefore, it is still unclear who will be eligible for the visa. However, Ana Catarina Mendes said that the visa will “cover as many people that wish to come to Portugal”.
If you’re looking to start a business in Portugal, you are not the only one! The majority of global investors are confident in Portugal, even more than countries like France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, according to Ernst and Young. The Portuguese government offers public financial assistance to businesses that are committed to innovation and there are thousands of high-skilled workers. The Portuguese market offers stability, with the World Bank ranking Portugal 39 out of 190 countries in its ease of doing business index. Opening a business in Portugal also allows your company to tap into the European Union (EU) market, with the EU accounting for over 7% of the world’s population and 23% of the nominal global GDP. To open a business in Portugal, you need to have residency in Portugal, as well as a tax and social security number.
If you are a non-EU/EFTA national and you want to start a business, you need to obtain a Portuguese visa and residency permit. Take a look at our guide to starting a business in Portugal. From the steps you need to take to register your business and taxes, we have everything you need to know.
Steps to Starting a Business in Portugal
1. Make sure you can legally start a business in Portugal
Before you get into the nitty-gritty details of starting your company, make sure you can actually legally start a business in Portugal. You need to have your own Portuguese residency card, a tax number (NIF) from the Portuguese tax office, and a social security number. If you are a non-EU/EFTA national and you want to start a business, you need to obtain a Portuguese visa and residency permit.
Brainstorm names for your company and check out if your favorite is already taken in a Portuguese Registry of Business Names. If not, register your company’s name via a Validation Certificate known as Certificado de Admissibilidade which is issued by the National Registry of Companies and costs €75. The certificate is usually valid for 3 months.
3. Choose the business structure – Types of Companies in Portugal
There are multiple legal structures for businesses in Portugal, regulated by the Portuguese Companies Code. You must select the one that best fits your company structure. Take a look at the business types in Portugal:
Private Limited Company: Known as a Sociedade por Quotas. These need a minimum of two partners and a minimum capital investment of €5,000. Shareholders need to pay a minimum of €100 per share and are all viable for debts covered by business assets.
Public Limited Company: Known as a Sociedade Anomina, requires at least five shareholders and a minimum capital investment of €50,000. Shareholders are liable for debts that amount up to their share value.
Partnership: Known as a Sociedade em Nome Colectivo, a Partnership requires a minimum of two partners and their liability extends to personal assets that can be used to cover any company debts.
Limited Liability Partnership: Known as a Sociedade em Comandita, requires a minimum of two partners who run the business and have unlimited liability which includes personal assets, as well as sleeping partners who give capital and where their liability is limited to the amount they invested.
Cooperative: Cooperatives are non-profit organizations run through the principles of cooperative models.
Single-Member Limited Company: Known as a Sociedade Unipessoal por Quotas, this is where one person runs a business but debt liability is limited to business assets. This requires a minimum capital investment of €5,000.
Individual Limited Liability Establishment: Known as an Estabelecimento Individual de Responsabilidade Limitada, this is similar to a Single-Member Limited Company. However, the capital investment of €5,000 must include at least two-thirds cash.
Sole Trader: Known as Empresario em Nome Individual, this is a form of self-employment where one person trades as a business. There is no minimum capital requirement and sole traders have unlimited liability for business debts.
Freelancers differ from a Sole Trader but are similar, without operating as a business from a fixed place (such as a hairdresser). Freelancers are responsible for making their own income tax (IRS) payments, and social security contributions, but do not pay corporate tax.
4. Set up your company
Now that you have your company’s name down and have selected the adequate business company, it’s time to set up your company by signing the deed of incorporation. You can do this online which allows you to set up your company quickly. This costs around €360 and your company will be registered within 1 to 2 days. Your company will be provided with a tax number (NIF) and a social security number. The deed includes specific information about your company such as the type of company, each partner’s capital share, etc.
5. Start your business activity
In Portugal, it is mandatory for companies to have an accountant. Once you have signed the deeds, your accountant can help you set up a bank account for your company. With your IBAN information, your accountant will register your company’s activity with the tax office so you are ready to pay taxes.
Taxes for Businesses in Portugal
1. Corporate Income Tax (IRC) in Portugal
Limited and incorporated businesses must pay Portuguese corporate tax. Self-employed sole traders and those with stakes in partnerships pay income tax instead. Companies in Portugal must pay their corporate tax in three installments, July, September, and December. Corporate tax in Portugal has a flat rate of 21% on taxable profit, slightly below the European Union average of 21.9%. Small and medium-sized companies pay a reduced Portuguese corporate tax rate of 17% (lower in Madeira and the Azores) on their first €25,000 of taxable profit.
Along with corporate tax, you need to pay a surcharge to your local municipality, at around 1.5% on the profit charged by the regional municipality. Other surcharges on top of your corporate tax bill include:
3% state charge on profit between €1.5 million and €7.5 million (2.1% in Madeira, 2.4% in the Azores)
5% surcharge on profit between €7.5 million and €35 million (3.5% in Madeira, 4% in the Azores)
9% surcharge on profit over €35 million (6.3% in Madeira, 7.2% in the Azores
Companies pay corporate tax on their net profits. Costs can be deducted when calculating profit such as labor costs, marketing costs, tax planning costs, insurance, bills, etc.
2. Social Security (TSU) in Portugal
If you have employees, you must contribute to Social Security. The Portuguese Social Security is a system that also secures the basic rights of citizens and ensures equality in opportunities, providing measures of support such as unemployment allowances, paternal leave, and other financial support. The Single Social Tax (TSU) corresponds to 34.75% of the gross salary of each worker. Of this, companies pay 23.75% and employees pay 11%. Companies must pay their social security contributions between the 10th and 20th of the month after the salaries they refer to.
3. VAT (IVA) in Portugal
Known as IVA in Portugal, self-employed people and companies that produce, market, or provide services in Portugal must pay Value Added Tax (VAT) to tax authorities. The VAT is paid by consumers when purchasing these goods and services. In essence, VAT is money that the company keeps until it must be returned to the state, as it is being paid by clients.
Companies with a Portuguese VAT number need to submit regular returns with their taxable supplies sales and costs. Companies with a turnover equal to or higher than €650,000 must submit this monthly, while companies with a turnover less than €650,00 submit quarterly. Monthly VAT returns are due on the 10th business day of the second month following the VAT reporting period, while quarterly VAT returns are due by the 15th business day.
Take a look at the VAT rates in Portugal:
Mainland Portugal – Normal 23%, Intermediate 13%, Reduced 6%
Madeira – Normal 22%, Intermediate 12%, Reduced 5%
Azores – Normal 16%, Intermediate 9%, Reduced 4%
The normal VAT rate refers to most taxable goods and services. The intermediate VAT rate refers to food and drink goods and services. The reduced VAT rate refers to essentials like vegetables, transport, medicine, etc.
4. Work Compensation Fund (FCT) & Guarantee Fund for Work Compensation (FGCT)
Also known as the Fundo Compensação do Trabalho (FCT) and the Fundo de Garantia de Compensacão do Trabalho (FGCT) in Portuguese, these were established in 2013 to ensure the workers’ right to receive half of the compensation owed to them in case of termination of their employment contacts. Employers must contribute 1% of pay monthly for employees hired after 1 October 2013 (0.925% to FCT, 0.075% to FGCT). If an employee decides to terminate their contract on their own, the fund is returned to the company.
Financial Support for Opening a Business in Portugal
Public financial support is available to lucky companies looking to innovate, provided by Portuguese agencies. Turismo de Portugal promotes innovation and entrepreneurship by supporting tourism start-ups with venture capital, real estate investment, and more. The Portuguese Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade is responsible for dealing with all foreign investment projects, and selecting projects that best contribute to the competitiveness and sustainability of the economy, such as creating jobs and increasing GDP. Moreover, the Portuguese government’s Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (IAPMEI) provides financial incentives and assistance to help you open a business in three main areas:
Corporate and Entrepreneurial Innovation
This assistance encourages investment in innovation, promotes qualified entrepreneurship, and supports the expansion of technology-intensive activities. There are two main incentives. The SI Qualified and Creative Entrepreneurship is intended for small and medium-sized enterprises that have been in operation for two years. The incentive is between 35% and 75%. The SI Productive is intended for companies of any kind that are producing new products and services or are improving their current production.
SME Qualification and Internationalism
This assistance aims to promote small and medium-sized competitiveness and productivity and develop their presence in the global market. It is divided into two systems: an individual project or a joint project. The SI Qualification Individual Project is intended for small and medium-sized companies of any kind while the Joint Project is intended for not-for-profit entities with specific expertise targeted at small and medium-sized companies. The Individual Project has an incentive limit of €500,000 while the Joint Project has an incentive limit of €180,000 x the number of companies participating.
Research and Technological Development
This assistance promotes relationships between companies and scientific institutions, looking to create knowledge and intensify research and development. There are three support systems for companies of any legal form: SI R&D Companies, SI R&D Centres, and SI Industrial Property. The SI R&D Companies and Centers assistance seeks to invest in increasing the research and development in a company and the Companies assistance offers an incentive of up to €1,000,000. The SI Industrial Property supports projects that promote the legal registration of industrial property through patents and models, nationally and internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Starting a Business in Portugal
Can foreigners start a business in Portugal?
To start a business in Portugal, you need to have your own Portuguese residency card, a tax number (NIF) from the Portuguese tax office, and a social security number. If you are a non-EU/EFTA national and you want to start a business, you need to obtain a Portuguese visa and residency permit. However, foreign companies can open up a branch or subsidiary of their company in Portugal. To do so, they must register the branch office with the Portuguese Registries and Notaries (IRN), as well as register the branch or subsidiary with the Commercial Registry Office.
How much does it cost to start a business in Portugal?
Opening a company usually costs €360 and can be done online, or at the Registries and Notaries (IRN). There are other costs. For example, when you register your company’s name via a Validation Certificate known as Certificado de Admissibilidade, you must pay €75 for the certificate. You must also hire a Certified Accountant who will submit your tax returns. This usually costs at least €100 per month.
What taxes do companies pay in Portugal?
Here are the taxes that businesses must pay in Portugal:
Corporate Tax (IRC): Corporate tax in Portugal has a flat rate of 21% on taxable profit, slightly below the European Union average of 21.9%. Small and medium-sized companies pay a reduced Portuguese corporate tax rate of 17% (lower in Madeira and the Azores) on their first €25,000 of taxable profit. You also need to pay a surcharge to your local municipality, at around 1.5% on the profit charged by the regional municipality.
VAT: The VAT rates in mainland Portugal are 23% (normal), 13% (intermediate), 6% (reduced). The VAT is paid by consumers when purchasing these goods and services.
Social Security (TSU): The Single Social Tax (TSU) corresponds to 34.75% of the gross salary of each worker. Of this, companies pay 23.75% and employees pay 11%.
Work Compensation Fund (FCT) & Guarantee Fund for Work Compensation (FGCT): These ensure the workers’ right to receive half of the compensation owed to them in case of termination of their employment contacts. Employers must contribute 1% of pay monthly for employees hired after 1 October 2013 (0.925% to FCT, 0.075% to FGCT).
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