Can you believe we have published our 50th episode?! We are so thankful for your support, for listening, for every note of thanks.

August is vacation month for lots of Portuguese, so we are following suit at Portugal Junkies Podcast!

But - we will be back soon, we promise.

In the meantime, tune into our top episodes + resources until we get back:

* Five Easy Steps To Pin Point Your Perfect Place In Portugal

* Top 5 Must Have Resources For Moving To Portugal

* Ask Your Partner These 10 Questions Before Moving Abroad

* Believe You Can: Your Move Abroad Resources for 2025

* Our D7 Process in Fall 2023 »» Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (Disclaimer: NISS, apostille and FBI background checks requirements have changed but this is a good overview of what to expect regarding the process.)

* Our Stan Store - book a 1:1 call with us anytime!

Cheers, y’all!

Meredith + Mark

PS - if you have content or ideas that you’d like to see us cover in future podcast episodes, send us a message below!

So here’s the thing.

Two years ago, when we were preparing for our visa interview + appointment, we did DIY. The process is doable, albeit frustrating at times when your total understanding of the process is toddler-level, and many times in the first year, I doubled-down on the DIY route.

But in the past two years, we’ve seen drastic + rapid changes in the process that can catch you off guard if you are navigating the process alone.

Enter Joao Madeira Pinto, our immigration attorney. You know - the guy we wish we had known in 2023? Because now that we know all that he does to help people navigate the visa process, we’d likely have said, please help us!

In this week’s episode, we give you Part 2 with Joao, where he highlights what he can offer someone who is interesting in moving to Portugal. Top prize goes to obtaining your NIF, opening a bank account within a week + even finding an apartment and securing that elusive lease requirement!

To talk directly with Joao and get customized advice based on your plans + needs, Joao offers a FREE consultation call + discount to our listeners here. FYI - he’s the best.

Tune in and make the decision that works best for you.

Cheers, y’all!

Meredith + Mark

[Joao Madeira Pinto, Certified Immigration Attorney]Website: www.madpintolaw.com

Friends, don’t let the misinformation on the “interwebs” kill your Portugal dream before it starts.

The amount of inaccuracies we’ve seen written recently about Portugal’s recently PROPOSED immigration changes (ahem, not official yet) is shocking.

So, recognizing that we are not the experts on this topic, we invited our immigration attorney here in Portugal on the podcast this week to stop the chaos and get to the truth.

Enter Joao Madeira Pinto, certified immigration attorney, Portugal Junkies ally + friend.

In just a few minutes, Joao overviews the proposed immigration changes currently being considered in Portugal, the extension of the time required in country before one can apply for citizenship and the changes to the timeline for family reunification.

He also brilliantly talks about the goals behind some of these proposals, whether they might get push back because they could violate the Portuguese constitution + gives his predictions of where this is all headed.

The moral of the story - nothing has changed yet. Nothing. And it may be a while before we know more.

So hold your horses if this has sent you reeling - as an immigrant or as a future visa applicant. Listen in + learn from the experts.

Cheers, y’all!

Meredith + Mark

To talk directly with Joao and get customized advice based on your plans + needs, Joao offers a FREE consultation call + discount to our listeners here. FYI - he’s the best.

[Joao Madeira Pinto, Immigration Attorney]Website: www.madpintolaw.com

New episode is live! 🎙️🎙️We answer these questions from our listeners ⬇️

* What are the pros and cons of living in the Algarve?

* Do you still feel the same about not having a car a year and half later?

* What have you adjusted to living without?

* How is Charlotte doing? What’s her care like there at the vet?

Planning a trip to Portugal but hate the actual PLANNING part? We got you. We built customized Portugal itineraries based on how YOU like to travel.

Start by booking your free call with us here

Cheers, y’all!

Meredith + Mark

[Praia do Caroveiro, Portugal - February 2025]

Women deserve to know the details, so I gave them up on the podcast today.

After 47 episodes, I think we’ve proven that Mark + I are VERY real when it comes to sharing our experiences living in Portugal since 2023.

No sugar coating. No romanticized European dream sequences.

Just real life. Almost 1.5 years in.

Today on the podcast is Part 2 of what we did last week, when I interviewed Mark (without preparation!)…and this time he interviewed me.

And guess what, folks?

The entire conversation became about healthcare, accessibility, quality of care and even some stories that may be a little TMI - all from the female lens.

So tune in if you’re curious about my personal experiences with healthcare in Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve.

Cheers, y’all!

Meredith

💫For more resources for traveling in Portugal or moving abroad, click here.💫

This week’s podcast episode is totally off the cuff.

I ask “the hubs” a bunch of questions about our move abroad to Portugal with zero prep to get his truly unfiltered, gut-reaction answers.

Next week, he’ll do the asking.

Here were my questions for him:

* What top personality traits do you feel are a “must-have” for anyone considering a move abroad?

* What has been the most personally challenging part of moving here for you?

* Do you see us living in Portugal for the rest of our lives? Why or why not?

* What would be the deal breaker that would make you/us leave Portugal?

If you’re thinking of booking a scouting trip or just plan on exploring Portugal soon as a traveler, let us know! We build customized travel itineraries based on your goals and the way you like to travel. Find more info HERE.

Who We Are, What We Do + Move Abroad/Portugal Travel Resources ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.stan.store/portugaljunkies

Oh… and Charlotte the Pup says hi!

Cheers, y’all!

Meredith + Mark

Are you getting closer + closer to really leaving the USA + moving to Portugal?

Given what we are seeing, many people are + we get it. We moved in December 2023 from Charlotte, NC to Portugal and now live in the Algarve.

In this episode, we share our top 5 “must see” resources if you are considering a move abroad to Portugal in 2025 or 2026.

At the very least, these are the resources that will help you research visa info + plan cost of living impacts/budgets + understand the overall landscape of a move abroad - before you go jumping on a plane or do the Donald Dash.

Links we promised from this podcast ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Benagil Caves Kayak Tour

Benagil Caves Speed Boat Tour

www.stan.store/portugaljunkies - find links to our immigration attorney and our CPA here!

Numbeo Website

Five Easy Steps To Pinpoint Your Perfect Place In Portugal (24:45)

We Tap Out Podcast (our friends!)

We are approaching 18 months in Portugal and there are still a few things that are not quite routine for us… yet.

We chat about it in this week’s podcast episode:

➡️Later nights + later morning routines

➡️Portuguese time

➡️Metric system + sizing + nutrition labels

➡️Where exactly do I go to get _________?

➡️Why do we still have trouble relaxing sometimes?

If you or someone you know is interested in traveling in Portugal, hit us up! We build customized itineraries for Portugal travelers. 💫FREE💫 consultation call link below.

🗝️Key Resources:

www.stan.store/portugaljunkies

Cheers y’all!

Meredith + Mark

Can’t stop, won’t stop talking about what still blows our mind in Portugal after living here for the past 16 months.

We talk about the things that still shock us (in a good way) and how those same things keep us feeling so grateful to be immigrants in Portugal.

Key Travel + Move Abroad Resources:

www.stan.store/portugaljunkies

Can’t stop, won’t stop talking about what still blows our mind in Portugal after living here for the past 16 months.

We talk about the things that still shock us (in a good way) and how those same things keep us feeling so grateful to be immigrants in Portugal.

So good that we have a Part 2 coming next week!

Key Travel + Move Abroad Resources:

www.stan.store/portugaljunkies