Category Archives: Useful Information

Important Information for UK Nationals

Yesterday, a representative from British in Portugal (Tig James) had a long discussion with the British Embassy who have asked her to inform UK nationals of the current situation in Portugal and for her to make several requests. She writes:

At the end of 2020, approximately 46,000 UK nationals were registered as legally resident in Portugal. By the end of the same year only around 36,000 had registered on the Brexit portal so as to receive the Withdrawal Agreement biometric card (WABC). In total, there are around 37,000 UK nationals now registered on the portal which would include those who arrived towards the end of 2020, prior to Brexit being implemented.

We are aware that a number of UK nationals have left Portugal and, indeed, quite a few did prior to Brexit taking place. However, 10,000 UK nationals not having registered on the Brexit portal is a large number of people and we believe far exceeds the amount that have actually left.

We are aware of five main reasons why people have not registered:

1. We are hearing that people believe if they have been resident in Portugal for a long time they do not need to register on the Brexit portal. I have heard this a few times and it is very much not the case.

ANYONE, if they were resident in Portugal prior to 2021, regardless of length of residency in Portugal (even if you have been a resident for 50 years), mustregister on the Brexit portal to obtain the QR code. The QR code then initiates the process whereby SEF send an email in order for you to book an appointment to obtain the WABC.

2. People believe, because they already have an ‘in date’ EU residency document or card they do not need to obtain a WABC. The original residency documentation people are in possession of, is for EU citizens only. We are no longer EU citizens, we are now called third country nationals and this form of identification very shortly will no longer be valid for UK nationals.

Many, many institutions in Portugal will not accept the EU residency documentation in UK nationals possession, nor will many Schengen Area border guards. It is essential people register on the Brexit portal and obtain their WABC.

3. The majority of the advertising, information given regarding the WABC’s, has been on social media. There are many people who either are not comfortable/don’t have the knowledge/ are unable to use social media or do not have access to the internet who will be unaware of the importance of being in possession of a WABC.  4. Some UK nationals do not think getting a WABC applies to them or they can’t be bothered to do it. If a UK national arrived in Portugal prior to 2021, then it doesapply to them and they must register on the Brexit portal and get a WABC. As far as the latter group is concerned, those that can’t be bothered, there is little I can say other than it matters very much that they do.

5. Some UK nationals are disabled and are unable to attend the locations they have been offered on the SEF website. If this is the case, if you are, obtain a doctor’s letter stating the situation and email it to the email address below, explaining in the email the circumstances then, as per the FAQ’s on the SEF website, you will be contacted and this issue will be addressed with you:  Email address:  Brexit@sef.pt

FAMILY REUNIFICATION:

Those waiting for the family reunification process to take place will be pleased to learn it is commencing this week. All members of a family who are waiting for their UK national relative to obtain their WABC, and those family members, regardless of nationality, ALREADY hold some form of residency documentation for Portugal (whether expired or not), the following action may now take place.

The UK national holding the WABC may now go to the SEF website and, on their SEF account, register their family members requiring family reunification.

Those family members that have never had residency documentation, in whatever form, representations are being made in the strongest terms that this process is started as soon as possible too.

APPOINTMENTS:

At the moment, there are approximately 500 SEF appointments for WABC’s that have not been taken up. I have been informed that SEF appointments for this process are not infinite and in the not so distant future will cease.

If you have been offered an appointment it is getting increasingly more important that you take one up as soon as possible before they are withdrawn.

Additionally, it has been requested of SEF that appointments are made available for 2023. Appointments are released in batches and, again, need to be taken up prior to them being withdrawn. SEF’s resources are stretched to the limit and the facility for UK nationals to obtain an appointment for a WABC is something that SEF are unable to sustain indefinitely.

FINALLY:

Could everyone please, please, please talk to their UK friends, relatives, acquaintances, work colleagues, Joe down the bar, every man and his dog about this situation. If necessary please print off this post and hand it to people together with my previous posts outlining how to apply for the QR code on the Brexit portal which can be done by placing my name in the search facility.  For those UK nationals that struggle with social media, please help them.

This is a serious situation where thousands of UK nationals will not be legal in Portugal if they don’t register on the Brexit portal.

SW Color ART

For all you local Artists!

We have received this news from SW Color Aljezur:

A large part of our clients are residents of Vale da Telha and also a large part of the community live not only in Vale da Telha but also in the district of Aljezur.

We stand out in the field of paints and materials for wood treatment, multiple surfaces among many other construction products.

We decided at the request of numerous customers mostly the “foreign” community of Vale da Telha and surroundings, to move to SWCOLOR ART, which is to have all kinds of material to exploit this gift that we are fully aware that exists in the municipality and surrounding areas.

I am talking about canvases, oil paints, charcoal, pencils and specific markers, and a whole range of products that not existing in the county forces customers to travel to Portimão where there is a reference shop for such products of the best brands at the best price.

We can guarantee that all artists will no longer need to travel to Portimão to have the necessary material to expand their art.

We will have the best brands and strongholds at the most competitive price in the region.

I invite all members of Amovate to visit our shop once in order to prove the diversity and prices of the material that from Monday we will have available in our shop.

SWCOLOR ALJEZUR & SW ARTS Can be found at the bottom of Rua 29 de Agosto, Aljezur (the road where Spar is located).

Vale da Telha Plan

Summary: Preparation of the Detailed Plan for Vale da Telha – extension of the deadline.

Preparation of the Detail Plan for Vale da Telha – Extension of the deadline

José Manuel Lucas Gonçalves, President of Aljezur, makes public in compliance with paragraph 6 of article 76 of the Legal Regime of Territorial Management Instruments (RJIGT), as amended by Decree-Law No. 80 /2015 of 14 May and within the scope of the content of information No. 14787, of 11 November of the current year, of the Geographical Information Service, which raises the extension of the deadline for the preparation of the Detailed Plan for Vale da Telha, the Chamber unanimously resolved, at its meeting of November 18, 2021, to extend for another 2 years, the preparation of the said Plan with effect from November 29, 2021, under the terms and with the objectives published by Notice no. 19001/2019, published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, no. 228, of November 27, 2019.

It is further informed that, pursuant to paragraph 1 of article 5 in conjunction with paragraph 1 of articles 76 and 192 of the Legal Regime for Territorial Management Instruments (RJIGT), this notice will be disclosed through social communication, on the collaborative territorial management platform and on the website of this Municipality.

December 2, 2021. – The President, José Manuel Lucas Gonçalves.

Deliberation

One point – elaboration of the Detailed Plan for Vale da Telha – extension of the deadline:

In the context of the content of information no. 14787, dated 11 November of the current year, from the Technical Department of Works and Urban Planning – Geographical Information Service, which calls for the extension of the deadline for the preparation of the Detailed Plan for Vale da Telha.

The Camara decided, unanimously, to extend the period for another two years, for the elaboration of the Detailed Plan of Vale da Telha, in accordance with the provisions of no. 6 of article 76 of Decree-Law no. 80/ 2015, from May 14th.

December 2, 2021. – The President of Aljezur, José Manuel Lucas Gonçalves.

https://cm-aljezur.pt/pt/noticias/3490/plano-de-pormenor-do-vale-da-telha—prorrogacao-do-prazo-de-elaboracao.aspx#prettyPhoto

Local Bus Service

School transport – Changes to the Vale da Telha Circuit

15 September 2021

Parents and guardians of students from the 2nd and 3rd cycles of the Aljezur Schools Group and of secondary school students from the Lagos School Groups are hereby informed. Aljezur – Lagos – Aljezur – Odeceixe, as of September 15, 2021, the line of Public Passenger Transport Services – Western Line starts operating.

This line will operate on weekdays, on the Aljezur – Espartal – Vale da Telha – Arrifana – Vales – Aljezur circuit, and may also be used by other passengers, in addition to students.

The transport of children who attend the Aljezur Kindergarten and students who attend the 1st cycle of Aljezur, remains unchanged, continuing to be done by municipal vehicles for public transport of children.

It is further informed that in the new transport model, free of charge will be maintained for 2nd and 3rd cycle and secondary education students, as long as they reside more than 3km from the education and teaching establishment, in accordance with article 20 of Decree-Law no. 21/2019, of January 30, although it is necessary to use a school pass, the cost of which is free for students.

The circuit and stops are also maintained in the same way as the previous year, being available for consultation here . The new line of time the West can be found  here  and can be requested clarifications and information by No. 282243329,  at the time comprised between 9.00 am and 15.30.