MORE AND MORE FRENCH PEOPLE IN PORTUGAL IN 2017

The French are more attracted than ever to Portugal. They are now the 8th largest group in the world.^e the largest foreign community in the country.

For the past few years, the number of French expatriates in Portugal has been growing steadily. And this trend does not seem to be weakening. The latest Portuguese ministerial report on immigration, borders and asylum thus states that in 2017 the number of French people living in Portugal climbed by 35.7 % compared to the previous year. There are now more than 15,000 of them in living in the country and form the 8^e foreign community in Portugal, after the Angolans and the British.

According to the Portuguese agency Lusa, who has read the document, the entry of France - and to a lesser extent Italy - in the list of the 10 most present nationalities on the territory shows one thing:

Expatriates benefit from a specific status if they declare themselves as "non-habitual residents". For ten years, they are only taxed on 20 % of their income in Portugal, an advantage for high earners who would otherwise be heavily taxed. 45 % of French people living in the country are in the senior management category.

Retired expats from the private sector can benefit from a total tax exemption for a decade. Only their real estate and personal property income from French sources remain taxable, with a few exceptions. One third of French expatriates in Portugal are retired.

Portugal is an attractive country for EU citizens. It has the image of a safe country, with tax advantages arising from a special regime for non-habitual residents."