Algarve to receive €1.2 million to treat urban waste
Yesterday, it was announced that the 16 municipalities of the Algarve will receive €1.2 million from the Environmental Fund to carry out projects to increase their capacity for selective collection of urban waste, in particular bio-waste.
The Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL) informed, in a statement, that it signed with the Environmental Fund, for the second consecutive year, a technical and financial collaboration protocol worth around 1.2 million euros.
This commitment will allow “the allocation of financing to municipalities for investments in projects that aim to increase the quantity and quality of waste recycling, in particular bio-waste”, reads the statement.
The protocol regulates the terms and conditions, of a technical and financial nature, of the collaboration between the Fund and the Algarve Intermunicipal Community, within the scope of the “RecolhaBio - Support for the implementation of selective collection of bio-waste” Program.
“It is intended that, in the end, municipalities will be able to demonstrate the increase that this support provided in the collection of bio-waste and/or in the increase in the quantities of waste collected selectively”, highlights the statement.
The commitment also includes the construction of infrastructure and the acquisition of equipment associated with this service.
The protocol also foresees an investment in “raising awareness among the public to improve their practices, ultimately promoting the reduction of waste disposal in landfills”.
The Environmental Fund, created in 2016, is the main financing instrument for environmental policy and climate action in Portugal. It aims to financially support environmental policies with a view to pursuing the objectives of sustainable development and the national and international commitments assumed, relating to climate change, water resources, waste and the conservation of nature and biodiversity.
Portimão: Two young men arrested for attempted murder and robbery
The Judiciary Police of Portimão have identified and detained two young people, on suspicion of attempted murder and robbery crimes, committed last July in Portimão.
The detainees, two men aged 22 and 25, already had criminal records.
The PJ statement reads, “During an attempted robbery with a sharp weapon, in a vacant building in the centre of Portimão, the suspects attacked the victim with several stab wounds to the torso and upper limbs, taking into account that he refused to reveal the location where the money was located, which they intended to steal."
The statement goes on to explain that “after the robbery was foiled, they fled without assisting or providing assistance to the victim, who was left in a very serious condition. He was lucky to survive, only due to be assisted and hospitalised quickly. However, "the victim had an organ removed due to the injuries, because it was left in an irreversible state”.
The men were presented for their first judicial interrogation, and have been imposed periodic presentations and the prohibition of contacts with the victim.
The investigation is headed by the Public Ministry of Portimão.
Baby is born in the Lagos Volunteer Firefighters ambulance
To the surpise of all those involved, a woman gave birth to her baby son early this yesterday morning, in a Lagos Volunteer Fire Department ambulance.
The emergency ambulance crew of Deputy Chief Ângelo Marques and 3rd Firefighter Mário Faustino arrived at the woman's home around 6:22 am along with INEM, after she called emergency services saying she was in labour.
The speedy evolution of labour forced the crew to deliver the baby boy in the ambulance on the way to the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (CHUA).
“Both the newborn and the mother are in good health and are being evaluated on site at the CHUA in Portimão the Lagos Fire Department wishes the family all the best”, said the Lagos firefighters, proudly announcing the event on their Facebook page.
Loulé: Man arrested with more than 5000 doses of heroin
Following a complaint about drug trafficking the GNR have arrested a 29 year old man in Loulé, with 5,356 doses of heroin in his possession.
The suspect's vehicle was intercepted and on inspection the GNR found 5,356 doses of heroin hidden in the engine compartment.
During a search of the suspect's residence, the GNR seized a laptop computer, two cell phones, a precision scale and several plastic bags for storing the drug.
The detainee, after being brought before the Judicial Court of Faro, was taken to a prison in Faro, where he will be held in preventive detention.
Carvoeiro: 2 men arrested for drug trafficking
With drug trafficking seemingly popping up everywhere these days, the GNR in the village of Carvoeiro arrested two 28 year old men on Friday, after they were behaving suspiciously.
According to a statement from the GNR, it was during regular patrolling that the officers noticed two men who were in a vehicle, "having demonstrated suspicious behaviour". When approaching the two occupants of the vehicle, they "showed some nervousness, and the existence of a narcotic product was detected in the possession of the suspects".
During the police investigation, a search was carried out on the vehicle, resulting in the arrest of the defendants and the seizure of 16 doses of cannabis and 15 doses of hashish.
Portugal’s NHR tax regime extended for some – but only if plans are already underway
Wealthy expats looking to take advantage of Portugal’s hugely popular Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) tax regime are potentially set for a one-year extension – but only if they meet certain criteria.
Portugal’s NHR tax status was due to close to new applications at the end of December this year.
Introduced in 2009, the NHR tax regime offers beneficial tax rates for up to 10 years for successful applicants. Designed to attract wealthy investors and expats to Portugal it has proved highly successful.
However, it was announced in October the door was to slam shut for new applicants at the end of 2023.
But the shock resignation of its Prime Minister, Antonio Costa – dethroned amid a corruption probe - appeared to have potentially derailed the plans which were contained with his party’s State Budget – the key legislative agenda for the government.
After weeks of uncertainty – and a general election called for March 10 - his Socialist Party (PS party) has now modified its proposals for supporting some people who have taken action already to secure their NHR tax status before the deadline to new entrants.
In what it calls a “transitional NHR”, it will be extended for some new entrants until December 2024.
However, those wishing to take advantage need to be able to prove they were already planning their move in 2023.
This will need to be demonstrated by documentation covering key criteria.
These include proof a property has been purchased or a lease or contract signed, or children enrolled in a Portuguese school – all of which must have already been in place or progressed.
Alternatively, proof needs to be shown of an employment offer, an existing valid visa or that an application for a visa has been filed – all by December 31, 2023.
The move will be welcomed by many amid concerns of huge delays in processing visa applications following the creation of the newly formed Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).
However, as a further twist to the future of the NHR tax regime, should the Socialist Party lose control at the March elections, any incoming government could decide to extend or further alter the tax regime plans as they had suggested with the new Incentivised Tax Scheme (ITS).
Steve Philp, a spokesman for Portugal Pathways, a company focused on assisting wealthy individuals and their families in optimising their relocation or life strategy in Portugal, said: “It was only in October the Portuguese government confirmed the NHR tax regime was to close to new applicants at the end of December. This has created a surge in applications for NHR tax status and separately for supporting visas, creating a huge problem for the professional supply chain and the new AIMA government office.
“This prompted real concern among many families who had purchased property but were waiting on visa applications being processed amid the backlog.
“This potential extension will come as a great relief to those who have invested heavily, both financially and emotionally, in relocating their families to a new life in Portugal as it could provide the breathing space they so desperately needed.
“However, the clock now appears to be ticking so we would urge anyone in the process of making the move not to delay with their plans and ensure they meet all the necessary criteria to allow them to complete their move.”
Bringing the curtain down of the NHR tax regime for new applicants and replacing it with the Incentivised Tax Scheme (ITS) had seen many express concerns over the impact on Portugal’s economy which has benefited from significant investment.
Many had called for a rethink on the plans to prevent a financial hit to the country’s inward investment.
A Europe Living spokesman and expert in visa and NHR applications based in Lisbon added: “The NHR tax regime has proved hugely popular, and this potential extension could allow some people a fair resolution for their situation as they had taken early action.
“The problem now is the political uncertainty in Portugal as we approach the general election in March.
“If the Socialist Party fail to hold on to power, then it is quite possible the NHR tax regime or ITS that’s forecast to replace it could be subject to further changes and investors don’t like uncertainty.
“It does create some uncertainty in the long-term so anyone seeking to move to this beautiful country should get immediate professional advice.”
The Portuguese government is expected to clarify the situation in parliament on November 29th which is the date of the government’s budget reforms which include the changes to the NHR tax regime.
