For detailed information see the Portuguese social security (Segurança Social) website. Information on several aspects of the system can be found in English, particularly those related to social security affiliation, contributions and benefits.
Posts under ‘Finances & Currency’
Mortgages for Portuguese Properties
Banks / brokers offering mortgages to foreigners purchasing property in Portugal: Barclays A mortgage product for International Clients in Portugal . www.barclays.co.uk/buyingabroad Banco Espirito Santo (BES) Portugal’s third largest bank, now offers an innovative Non Residents Mortgage Service especially designed for those in UK and Ireland interested in buying properties in Portugal. www.bes.pt Millenium bcp [...]
Banks / Bancos
Banking hours are from 08:30 – 15:00 Monday to Friday. Most banks are closed on weekends and public holidays. Banco BPI www.bancobpi.pt Banco de Portugal The central bank of the Portuguese Republic. Rua do Ouro 27, 1100-150 Lisboa. Tel: (00351) 213213200 www.bportugal.pt Banco Espírito Santo (BES) BES has subsidiaries, associated banks, & branches in Madrid, [...]
Portuguese Currency (Euros)
Euro banknotes and coins replaced escudos as legal tender from 28 February 2002. The Bank of Portugal (Banco de Portugal) will receive and pay out the face value of escudo banknotes for a period of 20 years. Euro Banknotes On the front of the banknotes, windows and gateways symbolise the European spirit of openness and [...]
International Money Transfers
The following terms need to be understood for transferring funds in the UK or abroad: IBAN S.W.I.F.T / BIC Beneficiary Name Payment Reference What about the actual transfer? Sterling-to-Sterling Transfers CHAPS BACS International Transfers IBAN What is it? IBAN stands for International Bank Account Number and is always used in conjunction with a Bank Identifier [...]
