On the 10th. of August of this year (2006), the Governement finally approved the new law dealing with Residencias. The new Residency Law regulates the free circulation and residency of EU Citizens in Portugal. Transposing the EU Directive of 2004, this legislation changes basic assumptions and definitions while greatly simplifying the compliance process for EU citizens. The statutes define three phases and are in harmony with similar measures being adopted throughout the 25 member countries of the European Community and Switzerland.
AFPOP stands for Association of Foreign Property Owners in Portugal. This association was founded some 15 years following what already existed in Spain for many years.
At the moment thousands of foreigners have become members, initially only in the Algarve, later also in the rest of Portugal and the association also has representation in England.
