Whether you are considering an escape plan for the upcoming cold
winter days or just a getaway from the severe restrictions caused
by the pandemic, the truth is that the new normal is here to stay
and It has impacted every aspect of our lives, from the daily visit
to the bakery all the way to your holidays.
Our current situation may have brought a halt to the world
during the first few months of the year, but fortunately almost
everyone has already gone back to work, some of us remotely and
others are back in the office. Still, everyone wants to go on
holidays in the safest way possible after such a long time cooped
up in the house, but there are a few obstacles in the way of your
dream holidays - like mandatory quarantine period should you travel
to a country on the ban list.
As a response, a new trend in the holiday industry has emerged
all over the globe: long term stays. A growing number of tourists
are looking to spend more time abroad for several different
reasons, from the opportunity to safely relax in a country that has
not been affected by COVID-19 as badly as back home or even
avoiding restrictions on travel banned countries. We now have the
opportunity to experience and actually stay and live elsewhere
while the situation cools off back home. While it is true that you
want to relax and do virtually nothing during your holidays, the
very definition of a holiday represents a short stay relaxing and
enjoying yourself…but what if you could stay longer, enjoying the
sun and weather, and even catch up on work at the same time?
But in order to stay longer, you have to be somewhere you feel
comfortable, safe. On one hand, hotels can get crowdy pretty fast,
with small living space and always with the same people at the
buffet eating the usual Thursday night seafood dinner. On the other
hand, most apartments available online are not actually available
to rent long term, only accommodating travellers for a week.
Renting long term at an apartment or a villa in the Algarve
gives you control over your living space, choosing larger
properties in more remote destinations. In the Algarve you can
choose to stay anywhere from a secluded villa by the beach to a
comfortable apartment in a lovely private condominium.
Longer stays during your holidays are a good
option.
Due to the uncertainty that we are currently living as these new
rules are changing almost every day, it might be a good idea to
stay somewhere comfortable and safe for a while.
The Algarve is one of the safest regions in Europe, with almost
no new cases per day. The Portuguese are also very strict with the
restrictions that have been imposed, hence
safety being a key-point of Portuguese tourism.
Instead of going back and forth during your holiday season, you
may just find yourself happier here in the Algarve. The climate is
great all year round!
You can work remotely from anywhere, so why not
here?
If you have the option to work remotely from home, why not do it
from here? The Algarve offers an amazing quality of life with
beautiful weather all year round and fantastic internet coverage in
Quinta do Lago with Lazer, the official internet provider for those
early morning online meetings. Can you imagine working on your
laptop right at the beach with the soothing waves in the
background? Even the time zone is the same between Portugal and the
UK, so no need to work odd hours to stay connected back home.
It is a good financial decision to stay
longer.
Staying on your work-cations for a longer period of time may
actually turn out to be a good investment, as your expenses are
more spread out during the stay and you get to work in the
meantime.
For tax purposes both Portugal and the UK have a double taxation
agreement that allows you to pay tax in only one country, making
life easier for long term stayers. There is also the Portuguese
non-habitual residency status, or NHR, that can allow you to
benefit from a flat income tax rate as opposed to tax brackets. The
cost of living in Portugal is also considerably more reasonable
particularly if you are working remotely.
Amenities right at your doorstep.
Long-term stays in a sheltered, quiet location like San Lorenzo
Village (backlink sl page) in Quinta do Lago also have its
benefits: Practicing social distancing is so much easier when all
the residents are actually living in a spread out, open environment
as opposed to a big, crowded city. The houses are also secluded
with their own private terraces.
Most of these long-term rental opportunities also include
certain amenities, such as cleaning once a week and exclusive 24/7
assistance with a professional property management agency.
Your family can move here.
Moving your family to a different country can be a troublesome
and complicated process. Fortunately, the Algarve has all the
conditions for taking care of your family! The Algarve has number
of international schools that operate in accordance with Portuguese
law and follow the academic curriculum of UK schools. We can
certainly recommend the Vilamoura International School, a well-known
name in the Algarve with over 36 years of experience. There are
also several extra-curricular activities for the children,
including local football clubs such as the Louletano and the
Farense.
Right near Quinta do Lago there is also the HPA
Hospital, in the Gambelas area near Faro. The healthcare group
that manages the hospital has over 20 years of experience, and the
HPA Gambelas Hospital is a landmark in Algarve healthcare.
With an average of 3000 hours of sunny weather, the Algarve has
no shortage of activities to engage in as a family! This could be
anything from horse riding right near Vale do Lobo to a wonderful
afternoon at the karting tracks in Almancil.
