👽️ May the Funds Be With You: A Guide to Estate Planning for Expats in Portugal

Happy Star Wars Day! ⚔️ It’s also Mother’s Day in Portugal and, as an added bonus, my daughter’s birthday! 🥳 She’s celebrated four birthdays in Portugal by now, and at this point, she’s sometimes more Portuguese than South African.

On Monday last week (28 April), when Portugal, Spain, and a few other European countries lost power, we did what South Africans do best: went to a bar, grabbed the last cold beer on tap, and watched people load their trollies with toilet paper and water. We were briefly concerned about our lack of panic—but the beer took care of that. Luckily, the apocalypse didn’t kick off, and our four rolls of loo paper got us through until the power came back and civilization was restored.

The most incredible thing, though, is that the next day, government officials reported that despite the widespread disruptions, there were no significant reports of looting or public disorder. I don’t know about you, but this is a world away from my home country—and just one more reason to be deeply grateful for the beautiful place we now call home.

What you’ll find in today’s newsletter:

🍷 Some upcoming events to add to your calendar

📜 Planning for the future: a guide to estate planning from our tax experts (Part 1)

🗣️ A language lesson to sharpen your street talk next time you bump into the neighbours

Ready? Let’s dive in!

📷 Pic of the week

Miradouro Rossio, Albufeira, Portugal: Perched high above the sea where the old town meets the Atlantic, this romantic cliffside lookout offers sweeping views over Albufeira’s golden coast and historic charm—perfect for sunset daydreams and slow strolls.

📰 What’s Happening

Food & Wine

Provocação de Sabores (May 11, Barreiro): Wine-focused festival with tastings and workshops near Lisbon

Wine Tourism: May–June is ideal for exploring Douro Valley and Vinho Verde regions, with vineyard tours and tastings

Wine & Gastronomy Tours: Portugal by Wine is a travel platform that offers curated wine and food tours across Portugal, connecting visitors with authentic local experiences at wineries, vineyards, and regional restaurants.

Jazz in the Wine Cellars (Jazz nas Adegas): (until May 31st) in Silves is an acclaimed cultural event that blends live jazz performances with wine tasting in the unique setting of the region’s wineries and estates. The 8th edition runs from November 22, 2024, to May 31, 2025, featuring 22 sessions across various venues in Silves

Culture, Gaming & Motorsports

Óbidos Vila Gaming: (May 7–11, Óbidos) Free-entry gaming festival featuring retro gaming, eSports, VR, cosplay, and tech workshops in a medieval setting

Madeira Flower Festival: (May 1-25, Madeira) Featuring a diversified program, with a clear emphasis on the Flower Parade, this celebration symbolizes renewal and hope. The Flower Festival fills Madeira with unforgettable colors, decorations, and fragrances.

Vodafone Rally de Portugal (WRC): (May 15–18) One of the most prestigious motorsport events in Portugal, part of the World Rally Championship, attracting top international teams and fans.

Somersby Out Jazz is a beloved open-air music festival that brings jazz, soul, funk, and hip-hop to the scenic parks and gardens of Oeiras, just outside Lisbon, from May through September. Now in its 19th edition for 2025, the festival offers free concerts every Sunday (and a few Saturdays), starting at 5 PM and continuing until sunset

Queima das Fitas (May 23-3, Coimbra): Portugal’s oldest and most iconic academic festival, the burning of the ribbons, is the symbolic heart of the festival, marking the transition from student life to graduation. The event is a vibrant blend of tradition, music, and revelry, making it a highlight not only for students but for the entire city of Coimbra.

 👨‍🎤 🎶 

Last week, we shared the must-see music events happening across Portugal in May and June. Missed it? You can catch up here.

Want local Portuguese news in English? Sign up for Jeorge Branco’s Portugal Weekly for a fresh, up-to-date take on what’s happening around the country.

Show us some ❤️‍🔥

Enjoying The Expat Hustle? I’d love it if you could rate this newsletter via the link below! And if you have 5 extra minutes, a quick testimonial would seriously make my day. It helps me connect with more expats who could use the tips and support we’re all sharing here. Thank you!

💰 The Hustle Fund — Money, Taxes, and all things Financial

Let’s be honest, no one likes to talk about death. But if you’ve moved countries, bought a home, or have kids to think about, planning for it is smart. And in Portugal, it’s a little different than you might expect. This week, FRESH Portugal kicks off Part 1 of our no-nonsense guide to inheritance and estate planning. It’s packed with what every expat needs to know.

Let’s hand things over to the experts for today’s article:

Inheritance & Estate Planning in Portugal—Part 1

▶️ The Basics

How does inheritance law in Portugal work for expats who own property or assets here?

Under the European Union (“EU”) Succession Regulation (“Brussels IV”), which Portugal follows, the law of the deceased’s habitual tax residence at the time of death, generally applies to the global inheritance. This means worldwide assets of the deceased are subject to Portuguese succession law, if the person’s habitual residence was in Portugal at the time of death.

Does Portuguese law automatically apply, or can expats choose the inheritance laws of their home country?

The general rule in Portugal is that Portuguese law applies to succession, but foreigners may elect to use the law of their home country. However, failing to make such an election normally leads to Portuguese law applying. Therefore, expats can choose the law of their nationality to govern their estate by explicitly stating this in a valid Portuguese will.

What is the EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV), and how does it impact expats in Portugal?

The EU Succession Regulation, also known as Brussels IV (Regulation (EU) no. 650/2012), is an EU legal framework designed to simplify cross-border inheritance within the countries members of the EU. This regulation allows one EU country's law to govern the entire estate, rather than different laws applying to assets in different countries.

Under this EU Regulation, expats can elect the law of their nationality (or one of their nationalities) to govern their estate by stating this in a Portuguese will. This also applies to third-country nationals who live in participating EU countries like Portugal.

📜 Wills & Estate Planning

Is it necessary for an expat to have a Portuguese will, or is a foreign will sufficient?

Expats are advised to make a Portuguese will for assets in Portugal and possibly another will for assets in their home country. It should be ensured that there is no conflict between multiple wills.

If an expat has a will from their home country, how can they ensure it is legally recognized in Portugal?

If the will was created in the expat's home country, it must meet certain standards to be recognized in Portugal. For instance, it might need to be apostilled or certified by the Portuguese consulate in the expat’s home country or it may need to be officially translated by a certified translator in Portugal to ensure that the Portuguese authorities can fully understand it.

However, even if the will from the home country is legally valid in Portugal, Portuguese forced heirship rules could apply to the Portuguese assets if the expats did not choose the law of their nationality to govern their estate by explicitly stating this in a valid Portuguese will.

What happens if an expat dies without a will in Portugal?

If there is no home country or Portuguese will, the estate will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy foreseen in the Portuguese Civil Code, including real estate, bank accounts, and other property that will be distributed among the deceased’s heirs.

🛑 Forced Heirship Rules

Does Portugal have forced heirship laws, and how do they affect expats?

Under Portuguese law, forced heirship rules foresee that certain family members are entitled to a mandatory share of the estate. These rules apply to all residents of Portugal, including expats.

The forced heirship laws mean that certain close family members, such as children, spouses, and sometimes parents have a legal right to inherit a portion of the deceased’s estate, regardless of the wishes expressed by the deceased.

Are there any ways to bypass forced heirship, such as through a will or other legal structures?

If you're an expat living in Portugal, Brussels IV allows you to choose the law of your nationality (your home country) to govern your entire estate, even for the assets located in Portugal. This can provide more flexibility in terms of the forced Portuguese heirship rules.

Therefore, expats can choose the law of their nationality to govern their estate by explicitly stating this in a valid Portuguese will.

How do forced heirship rules apply to non-resident expats who own property in Portugal?

For non-resident expats who own property in Portugal, the general rule is that Portuguese inheritance law applies to the assets located in Portugal. The Portuguese forced heirship rules will apply to any property, bank accounts, or other assets that the non-resident expat owns in Portugal, regardless of where the individual resides or their nationality.

Brussels IV allows EU nationals to choose their home country’s law to apply to their entire estate (including Portuguese assets) if they explicitly state this in a home country’s will. Non-EU nationals cannot bypass Portuguese law for assets in Portugal, and their Portuguese property will be subject to forced Portuguese heirship rules.

🏘️ 

You made it through part 1! Great job!

Next week, we’ll dive into Part 2 of the series on Inheritance & Estate Planning, where we unpack some of the trickier stuff:

👉️ Inheritance Tax & Financial Implications

👉️ Handling Portuguese Property & Assets

👉️ Special Cases & Avoiding Pitfalls

Know another expat who needs to plan ahead? Share this newsletter and help them get future-ready.

And if you missed it, check out our previous issue for a deep dive into setting up a living will in Portugal.

With thanks to our collaborators: Olga Neto, Head of Communication at FRESH Portugal, for her valuable insights and contributions to this article.

The tax team at Fresh Portugal is a highly skilled and experienced group, with deep expertise in both domestic and international tax law. Specializing in tax consulting, litigation, and planning, the team focuses on areas such as digital nomad taxation, crypto, and expat tax services. Additionally, the team has a strong background in private client services, tax compliance, delivering comprehensive and innovative solutions.

Email: [email protected]

🗣 Lost in Lingo

During the unexpected blackout in Portugal on Monday, 28 April, the country was plunged into a rare moment of stillness—no TV, no internet, just… actual human interaction. Neighbors emerged from their Wi-Fi caves, greeting each other like long-lost relatives and sparking conversations in the streets and stairwells. In this video from Susana at the Portuguese Lab, you’ll pick up some handy everyday phrases for the next time your Portuguese neighbor feels chatty—and trust me, it’s coming. Enjoy!

…And That’s All Folks

When the lights go out, true survival instincts kick in. No electricity? No problem. With an emergency stash of vinho tinto, canned sausages, and just enough toilet paper to outlast the apocalypse, you’ll be ready for anything. Batteries power the flashlights, the radio, and even some simmering resentment, while bottled water is used exclusively to dilute the wine (if absolutely necessary). Who needs power when you’ve got priorities sorted?

Thanks for reading! 💌

Hustle on!

Angelique🧞‍♀️

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