Portugal: a reflection of the Pareto persona?

>Thanks to recent political upheaval, winter could be a "time of frustration" here in Portugal. A recent would-be migrant has had to go through many trials. The first blow to the promised land of the post-pandemic period was the Golden Visa. Other visa conditions became increasingly stringent. Property prices and demand continued to rise and then suddenly the government announced the removal of NHR tax relief (at the end of 2024) - the last straw for some...

In the space of a year it seems that Portugal's global appeal has diminished as those who were once willing to take a risk have begun to have doubts. But does Portugal deserve to be ousted from the dream premier league for digital nomads and''Sun-seeking retirees? The weather is not helping to do anything great at the moment, as our legendary 300 days of sunshine hardly matches reality in these wetter and dimmer winter months. The Portuguese next to me at this Silver Coast café are wearing more and more layers of clothing and have already lost the carefree and cheerful disposition I know and love. We now rely solely on coffee, alcohol and hearty food to survive our unofficial pseudo-winter hibernation of Portugal, made more tolerable only by the enthusiasm with which the Portuguese celebrate Christmas. We are now preparing for the coldest and most difficult months, waiting only for the first warm days of spring, which we hope will appear at least briefly''at the end of February.

So what can I tell you if your confidence in Portugal is shot? How can I help if you've only recently arrived and are wondering if you've made a serious mistake in choosing this country with its capricious politics, a winter for which we are consistently ill-prepared, and a rising cost of living that is becoming less and less attractive? Over the years, I have inspired and supported many Americans in their plans to move to Portugal and consequently observed this emerging situation at the forefront of my mind. It's fair to say that things have gotten more complicated, which of course is to be expected when demand increases and consequently creates pressure on real estate, bureaucratic infrastructure and local hospitality.''Recent bureaucratic and budgetary changes have sort of punished and rushed the plans. That's not to say Portugal is a victim of its own success, but it is certainly reaping the fruits of all that was sown in the last migration boom. I would venture to say that it's still a great country to move to, and I'm happy to tell you why, which is strangely enough with the help of an Italian and a Frenchman.

From my European expert duo, I call as my first witness Wilfredo Pareto, the man commonly referred to as the founder and world renowned for his 80/20 rule. In the early 20th century, this "polymath" realized that approximately 80% of the land in Italy is owned by 20% of the population. It does not matter if this is really the case in Italy''Or even here in Portugal. The point is that he and others who picked up on this idea and continued to develop it noticed that this ratio works in many areas of people's lives and in the natural world.

To bring this closer to the reality of our daily lives and explain why I believe that''Portugal is still an excellent choice, despite the current (and in my opinion imaginary) problematic situation, I maintain that all our problems and frustrations are only 20% of the reality of our lives. Daily life here, compared to other countries - especially those where foreigners come from - is indeed prosperous, safe and offers great value in the broadest sense of the word. Strangely, the problems seem big from a distance and are compounded by the endless and emotional discussions in the news and on social platforms. However, the bureaucratic and economic aspects of immigrant life that seem to have an 80% impact on your life are actually a 20% issue, which becomes apparent when your''s daily life is not just friendly and joyful, but filled with a sense of cozy and satisfied existence, even if it's cold outside right now.

Wherever you decide to live, and choices we inevitably need to make, you'll have to deal with the administration and sharing with Caesar's. For those changing countries and adjusting to a new life abroad, these responsibilities will be unfamiliar, far more complicated and uncomfortable. But they are probably worth it, the pain before the rewarding and ultimately boring but necessary part of life - according to the Pareto principle: 20% of your chores that can cause you 80% of your stress.

Let's go back to this century and just a few weeks ago, when, reflecting on the future of the repeal of the IUI, a Frenchman named Romain Palluelle - himself a recent''a visitor to these parts and mortgage specialist at CAFIMO, referred to the dying favorable tax regime as "the cap on the cake."' And, in a truly philosophical analysis of its decline, he wisely observed that "if you don't have a cap, you still get the cake." He's right, of course, and I encourage you to embrace this entirely appropriate analogy in a country with lush bakeries if your passion for Portugal is slowly fading. In general terms and relatively speaking, life here is very good, very nice, and nowhere near perfect. For me, this country and way of life is the epitome of Pareto. After the initial difficulty of moving here, we don't have to do much to enjoy an enviable quality of life. And if Portugal is 80% pleasure and only 20% stress, then it's very acceptable''figure in these generally turbulent and uncertain times. Whereas our ancestors once faced significant threats and challenges on a daily basis, our greatest fears and challenges in today's world are tied to paperwork and spreadsheets.

So, isn't it sometimes undervaluing bureaucracy and a little more taxation for such a wonderful way of life and nourishing soul of culture? And isn't it wonderful that only 20% of us need to do it to maintain the status quo? "

FROM: Carl Munson - Carl Munson hosts the daily show Good Morning Portugal! on YouTube and is the creator of the portal www.learnaboutportugal.com where you can learn something new about Portugal every day!