Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹
Hosted by American expat Bob Tapper, Life Abroad in Portugal is your go-to resource for navigating life in one of Europe’s most welcoming countries. Each episode dives into the real questions people ask when considering the move:
— How do immigration laws and residency options work?
— What’s the process of starting a business in Portugal?
— How do you handle insurance, banking, and taxes as a foreigner?
— What are the cultural traditions, local events, and hidden gems worth exploring?
Whether you're actively planning your move or just curious about the expat experience, this podcast offers practical advice, up-to-date information, and the occasional fun story from life on the ground in Porto.
Episodes
90 episodes
S7:Ep2 - Why Comparing Your Portugal Residency Timeline Will Ruin the Experience
If you’ve ever compared your Portugal residency timeline to someone else’s and felt anxious, frustrated, or behind — this episode is for you.In this episode of Life Abroad in Portugal, I talk about why comparing timelines is one...
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Season 7
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Episode 2
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1:13
S7:Ep1 - The Quiet Phase After the Card Arrives (And Why It Matters)
Getting your Portuguese residency card feels like the finish line — but what happens after that moment is rarely talked about.In this episode of Life Abroad in Portugal, I reflect on the quiet phase that follows the pap...
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Season 7
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Episode 1
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1:34
S6:Ep16 - AIMA D7 Update: Residence Permit Card Received
Six weeks after my AIMA appointment, I finally received my Portuguese residency permit card — and in this episode, I share exactly how it happened.From the unexpected phone call (and why it almost went wrong), to navigating the AIMA offi...
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Season 6
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Episode 16
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6:45
S6:Ep15 - AIMA Victory! D7 Visa & 3 Lessons Learned
After months of waiting — and a few nerves along the way — my AIMA appointment finally happened! In this episode of Life Abroad in Portugal, I share the three biggest lessons I took away from the experience: how preparation brings peac...
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Season 6
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Episode 15
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2:51
S6:Ep14 - AIMA Document Prep (Again) + New Requirement!
After my August AIMA appointment was postponed, it’s finally happening — hopefully — this week! In this episode of Life Abroad in Portugal, I walk you through exactly what I’m bringing to my AIMA appointment in October 2025, including ...
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Season 6
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Episode 14
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3:47
S6:Ep13 - How Charles Moved to Portugal on a D7 Visa — Without Leaving the U.S.
In this episode of Life Abroad in Portugal, Bob Tapper sits down with Charles Dexter Lim, who shares how he successfully relocated from California to Coimbra, Portugal — all without leaving the U.S. Charles walks u...
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Season 6
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Episode 13
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25:16
S6:Ep12 - Portugal D7 Visa: Financial Requirements vs. Recommended Amounts for Approval
Applying for Portugal’s D7 visa? In this episode of Life Abroad in Portugal, I break down the official minimum financial requirements (as of October 2025) — in both euros and U.S. dollars — and explain why showing more than the bare mi...
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Season 6
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Episode 12
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2:41
S6:Ep11 - Portugal AIMA Lease Rule Change!
Big changes from AIMA in Portugal: if you’re applying for residency with a lease agreement, you now need a notarized landlord declaration and proof that your lease is registered with Finanças. In this episode, I share how I handled it (thankful...
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Season 6
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Episode 11
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2:40
S6:Ep10 - How Meredith & Mark Got Portugal Residency Fast: VFS to AIMA Timeline
🎙️ Meredith & Mark: The Fast-Track to Residency in PortugalIn this episode of Life Abroad in Portugal, I sit down with Meredith and Mark — fellow expats, Portugal travel consultants, and the voices behind the Portugal...
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Season 6
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Episode 10
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30:05
S6:Ep9 - Portugal Residency & Citizenship by Descent | Morgan & Louie’s Unique Paths
Today I’m joined by Morgan and Louie Silva, and we dive into their story of moving to Portugal. Louie was able to get citizenship through his family roots, which made the move a little quicker, while Morgan is still on her own journey toward ci...
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Season 6
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Episode 9
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22:58
S6:Ep8 - AIMA Meeting (CANCELLED?!) + One Big Tip You Must Know
My much-anticipated AIMA appointment has been postponed! Instead of August, I’ll now be waiting until the end of October. It’s also been moved to Porto, not Viana do Castelo. In this episode, I share what this delay means for me: expir...
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Season 6
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Episode 8
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5:15
S6:Ep7 - AIMA Document Prep (and avoiding a last-minute mistake!)
AUGUST 2025Getting ready for my AIMA appointment meant double-checking every detail—bank statements, proof of income, lease agreement, and even my boarding pass. Thankfully, my consultant caught a small address issue before it cou...
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Season 6
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Episode 7
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6:15
S6:Ep6 - D7 Visa Approved – Inside My VFS Appointment
JULY 2025In this episode, I walk you through the next big step in my move to Portugal—the VFS appointment and how I got my D7 visa approved.I’ll share exactly what the appointment was like, how I prepared, wha...
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Season 6
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Episode 6
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7:21
S6:Ep5 - Why I Moved to Portugal + D7 Visa First Steps
JULY 2025In this episode, I share the story of how I went from five years of nonstop travel to finally deciding to settle down in Portugal—specifically, in Porto. I talk about why I chose Portugal, what made Porto feel like home, ...
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Season 6
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Episode 5
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10:22
S6:Ep4 - Visa Victory: Back to Portugal, Albania Highlights & A New Chapter
APRIL 2025After months of waiting, it finally happened — my Portuguese visa was approved! In this episode, I share the emotional highs and lows of April: flying back to the U.S. to finalize paperwork, returning to Portugal ...
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Season 6
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Episode 4
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5:01
S6:Ep3 - From Porto to Tirana: A Visa Pause & a Whole Lot of Flying
MARCH 2025Hey everyone—checking in from Albania! This month’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I finally moved into my new place in Porto (which felt amazing), but then had to leave Portugal until my visa is approved. Cue the Great Trav...
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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5:06
S6:Ep2 - Moving Abroad: My Portugal Visa Journey & Expat Life Updates
February 2025This month was a whirlwind! I started in Portimão, soaking up the Algarve sun (when it wasn’t cloudy) before making a long trek back to the U.S. for my visa appointment. After trains, flights, and plenty of travel day...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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2:19
S6:Ep1 - From Porto to PortimĂŁo: My Portugal Journey
JANUARY 2025It’s a new year and a new season for the podcast! A big thanks to those of you who tune in regularly and those who drop by for an episode that catches your interest.This year is shaping up to be different—proba...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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9:20
S5:Ep12 - Porto, Portugal: Reflections, New Beginnings, and a Visa
DECEMBER 2024I’m back in Western Europe, and it feels great to be in Porto—a city that feels like home. This month, I’m reflecting on the cultural contrasts between Turkey’s authenticity, Albania’s Western touches, and the peacef...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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7:07
S5:Ep11 - Adventure and Relaxation in Tirana, Albania
NOVEMBER 2024I’m currently in Tirana, Albania, and it’s been amazing to settle into a great routine. From savoring incredible traditional dishes to exploring breathtaking spots like Djit Mountain and Bunk’Art 2, every moment has ...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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7:38
S5:Ep10 - Istanbul Moments, Tirana (Blloku) Vibes
OCTOBER 2024I just wrapped up an unforgettable stay in Istanbul, and I can’t wait to share some highlights with you. The highlight was the golden hour boat cruise on the Bosphorus with the city’s skyline glowing in the sunset—def...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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4:32
S5:Ep9 - Istanbul, Turkey: First Impressions and Challenges
SEPTEMBER 2024This month, I’m diving into my first impressions of Istanbul. The flight from Manchester, UK was a breeze, but getting settled was a marathon—long drives, airport chaos, and finding my Airbnb with its 137 steps (hel...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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13:26
S5:Ep8 - Visiting Cologne/Bonn, Germany (Pros and Cons)
AUGUST 2024I traveled from Manchester to Cologne, and despite the heat, I've thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Being my first visit, I’ve put together a list of pros and cons. Splitting my time between Bonn and Cologne gave ...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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13:52
S5: Bonus - Votes Across the Rhine: Cologne's Take on U.S. Politics
I took a stroll around Cologne, Germany, near the Rhine River, where people gather, and I asked them who they would vote for in the U.S. elections—Kamala Harris or Donald Trump—if they had the chance to vote.
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Season 5
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5:36
S5:Ep7 - Summer Journeying through Leeds
JULY 2024I've settled into my routine, my allergies are gone, and I'm exploring more of the city, even though it's a bit chilly and cloudy.I experienced an authentic British Sunday roast, a tradition that's been around si...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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9:47
