Free Seminars about healthcare, residency, taxation, legal issues
Join our free seminars with expert speakers for everything you need to know about living in the Algarve
About the Seminars
If you are considering moving here permanently at some time in the future, living here part time or maybe looking at setting up a business in the Algarve, our seminars offer a unique opportunity to have all your questions answered in one place, at one time.
Independent, expert information from sources you can trust.
Our Living in the Algarve seminars are held 6 times throughout the year
At different locations across the Algarve region
All seminars are Free of charge
Coffee breaks to chat with our event partners
Two or three identical seminar sessions, one in the morning and one or two in the afternoon
Guide to living in Portugal
Seminar Speakers
All under one roof you have the chance to listen to live presentations by experts in the areas of legal matters, taxation, residency and many different aspects of life in the Algarve.
Bruce Hawker
CEO - Open Media / event host
Speaking at all seminars
Bruce has lived in the Algarve most of his life, having moved to Portugal from the UK as a child when his family relocated in the late 1970’s. His career has been mostly in publishing, as founder and CEO of the Open Media Group; publishers of the Portugal Resident newspaper and Essential Algarve magazine amongst other titles. Whilst continuing in his role at Open Media, Bruce also has interests in real estate. Alongside his business activities, he is also a member of the board of directors of the Lisbon based British Portuguese Chamber of Commerce. Bruce is the host and a speaker at the Living in the Algarve and Living in Portugal events.
Jorge Pereira
Sales & Marketing Director - Fine and Country
Speaking at Carvoeiro and Tavira seminars
Jorge was born in Angola but grew up in the beautiful city of Geneva, Switzerland, where he completed a degree in Tourism Management. He lived and worked for five years in Ukraine before moving to Portugal in 2012 and started his career in real estate in 2015 when he moved to the Algarve and joined Fine & Country in 2018 as general manager of the central Algarve office in Almancil. As a web and online marketing expert with a passion for photography, he combines his role in management with advising the marketing team and working as a property consultant assisting vendors and buyers. In his spare time, Jorge enjoys combining his love of photography, aviation and travel as an avid plane spotter.
Michael Reeve
CEO - AFPOP
Speaking at all seminars
Michael has been CEO of the Foreign Residents’ Association ‘AFPOP’ for 19 years, having first joined as a Member in 2002. AFPOP was established as a non-profit Association in 1987, in an attempt to consolidate its growing information database and provide assistance to over a thousand Members. At that time there was considerable uncertainty about the rules on property ownership, which began to change at a bewildering rate as the foreign interest grew in the Algarve and then across Portugal. Not only that but the rules in the regions were also different and keeping up to date was incredibly difficult.
Over the 35 years since its humble beginnings, AFPOP has helped over 37,000 Members to navigate their way around living in Portugal, and currently has a Membership of almost 9,000 active Members. Whilst the Association has grown considerably, its goals and ethos have never changed. AFPOP’s primary function remains to assist its Members find answers to their questions.
As their logo says, AFPOP is “Here To Help”
Jason Clarke
Head of Corporate Division - Currencies 4 You
Speaking at all seminars
Jason has extensive experience working closely with both private individuals and corporate clients, whether transferring money for their new life overseas, investing in high-value goods or simply making regular international money transfers. Currencies 4 You is a Regulated Currency Exchange Specialist with offices in the UK, Spain, Portugal and Poland. Founded in 2009, the company has grown significantly over the last 13 years, having safely transferred over $2 billion globally, with access to 150 currency pairs, and an online platform with 2-factor authentication. Currencies 4 You, an award-winning company, continues to be a market leader. Currencies 4 You’s team of currency experts works closely with each of its clients to understand their currency requirements, providing a tailored strategic approach and minimizing the risk of volatility using financial tools, which saves their clients millions of pounds each year.
Henrique Pinheiro
Founder & CEO - Medal Insurance brokers
Speaking at all seminars
Henrique founded Medal Insurance in 1996 and has built the business with his family and a dedicated team to be Portugal’s leading insurance brokerage for expats. His presentation at our Living in the Portugal seminars will focus on health insurance and healthcare in Portugal for foreign residents. Medal was founded in the Algarve where it has three offices covering the whole coast. Medal also has offices in Cascais covering the Greater Lisbon area.
Shelley Wren
Head of Business Development - The Sovereign Group, Portugal
Speaking at all seminars
Shelley has over thirty years’ experience in investment advisory working with high net worth investors. Shelley works closely with Sovereign’s Wealth Management and Retirement Planning teams and is able to make recommendations according to clients’ needs and objectives to guide them through the complexities of acquiring international investment property, of using trusts, foundations, funds and companies worldwide, to structure, develop and maintain individuals’ assets for secure wealth succession planning.
In addition, and working with the Sovereign Portugal team, Shelley can advise clients on their Non Habitual Resident and Golden Visa applications to ensure maximum tax benefits for our clients.
Pedro Rosado
Senior Partner - Rosado Lawyers
Speaking at Carvoeiro and Lagos seminars
Rosado Lawyers, a law firm founded by Dr José Rodrigues Rosado in 1978, provides services in all areas of law and also includes the company's Taxation and Accounting department, a subsidiary acting as "Rosado Tax & Accounting”. Dr Pedro Rosado, who began his career as a tax consultant for the multinational company Arthur Anderson, is the Senior Partner and a Professor of Law and Taxation at the University of Algarve for 25 years, being the professor in charge of the areas in Property Law and Commercial Law in the Management Graduation Programme and Property Taxes and International Taxation and Tax Planning in the Master’s Degree in Taxation. In addition, he is also an Arbitration Judge in the CAAD Tax Arbitration Court in Lisbon.
Rosado Lawyers provides services all over the Algarve region, with offices in Portimão, Carvoeiro, Lagos and Faro.
The main areas of activity are acquisition of property in Portugal, corporate law and contracts, mortgages and rental licenses, wills and probate, and all taxation matters and tax exemption schemes for new residents in Portugal (NHR).
Dr Joanna Karamon
General Medicine/Aesthetic Medicine
Speaking at Lagos seminar
Dr Joanna Karamon is certainly no stranger to the medical world, with over 23 years of experience as a General Practitioner. However, she is also no stranger to emigration. Born in Poland, she emigrated to South Africa where she completed her Medical training through the University of Pretoria in 1997. Dr Jo (as she is usually known) then emigrated to Portugal in 2000. Initially working locums in the UK, Dr Jo joined Luzdoc in 2001 and has been a constant and enduring element of the clinic’s medical team ever since.
Together with the founder of Luzdoc, Dr Maria Alice Pestana e Silva, Dr Jo has always strived to uphold the core philosophy of Luzdoc, constantly improving, diversifying and introducing innovative medical services that are of benefit to all aspects of her client’s health.
Believing that personal and professional growth is crucial in attaining these goals, Dr Jo has gone on to achieve a Diploma in Travel Medicine as well as MSc (Master’s Degree) in Skin Aging and Aesthetic Medicine.
Gerry Fagan
Founder and Chairman - Reserva da Luz
Speaking at Lagos Seminar
Gerry is an experienced management expert, boasting a rich history spanning over four decades, renowned for expertise in overseeing and nurturing diverse investments, encompassing residential developments, mixed-use projects, and multifaceted investments. He holds an illustrious track record of accomplishments within the property and operations domains. Gerry's professional journey has been deeply intertwined with Portugal, where he resided and contributed his expertise for an impressive two decades. During this time, he assumed a pivotal role in conceiving, steering, and ultimately acquiring ownership of one of the most expansive portfolios of leisure properties and golf courses in the entire Iberian Peninsula – the Oceânico Group. His leadership was marked by a strategic judgment that consistently translated into profitable outcomes while fostering sustainability. Central to Gerry's approach is a determined dedication to crafting solutions that not only thrive but excel in the face of challenges and fierce competition. His relentless drive to bolster investment within Portugal's property sector manifests in his unwavering support for investors, guiding them throughout their journey, from the initial incubation stages to project completion. Gerry brings to the table a wealth of experience in development, asset management, and operational oversight, ensuring that investors can confidently navigate their path, whether they seek to realize favourable returns through divestment or maintain assets and operations to optimize yield and profitability.
Sharon Farrell
Blevins Franks - Partner
Speaking at Carvoeiro seminar
Sharon joined Blevins Franks in 2019, bringing 29 years of experience in wealth management and family legacy planning. She worked as a financial consultant with Prudential, and later became an area manager with Pearl Assurance. She set up her own independent financial advice practice in 1999, specialising in pension, investment and legacy planning.
Sharon is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute and the Personal Finance Society and holds a diploma in financial planning. She also has advanced qualifications in pensions, taxation, and trusts, specialising in long-term care planning.
Having enjoyed visiting the Algarve for over twenty years, she decided to sell her business and moved here, joining the local Blevins Franks team. Since moving to Portugal, Sharon has gained an in-depth understanding of the Portuguese tax regime, its interaction with UK legislation and regulations and the key issues faced by British expatriates. She provides clients with quality, personalised wealth and tax planning advice services. This ensures that they and their families receive a tailored advice plan providing peace of mind.
Vanessa Rato
Sales & Marketing Director - Life Plan Resorts
Speaking at all seminars
Vanessa Moreira Rato has a degree in Marketing Management from IPAM and has extensive experience in sales, teams, and project management.
Her career began in information technology in a multinational company, such as Samsung and Microsoft, leading sales, and marketing. Vanessa did expand her knowledge and experience in real estate, where she built her career in Engel & Volkers, as a Portugal regional manager and passed on as sales director of market center of Lisbon.
Her commitment, dedication, and ability to overcome challenges are her own motivation. She is a people person and is therefore passionate about leading and managing teams, emphasizing the best customer service, friendliness, and constant support.
Alexandre Mansour
Founder & CEO - Nomad Capital
Speaking at Carvoeiro seminar
Alexandre Mansour is the Founder & CEO behind Nomad Capital, a Real Estate Development company renowned for its projects such as Nomad Bay in Carvoeiro and Masana in Olhos de Água, Algarve.
Drawing from his extensive background, Alexandre brings expertise garnered from his experience at Optylon Group and AXA US in New York.
With his passion for the Real Estate sector, particularly in the Algarve region, Alexandre offers invaluable insights into the unique lifestyle, rich culture, and promising investment opportunities that characterize the allure of the Algarve.
Luis Duarte
Chief Sales Officer - Global International Relocations
Speaking at all seminars
Luís joined Global International Relocations in 2008, just 8 months after the company started trading. At the time he had just returned from the US and was settling in Portugal, a move that he considers to be the best one of his life. 14 years later he reflects on an exciting journey and continues to learn more and more about relocating international clients to Portugal from all around the world.
Today, GIR employs over 100 people with three offices and is the number 1 mobility company in Portugal. The company offers high-quality services in the areas of international moving, relocation, immigration, property services, special transport of pets and artworks, excess baggage service, storage and management of business archives.
Dr Ana Pragosa
Co-Founder - Vitra Clinic
Speaking at Carvoeiro seminar
Ana is a proud mother of two amazing girls who inspire her personally and professionally. Originally from Canada, Ana has been dedicated to dental medicine for 25 years, having earned her degree from the University of Lisbon in 1999 and pursued postgraduate studies in Implantology and Oral Rehabilitation at NYU College of Dentistry.
As the Clinical Director of Vitra Clinic in Lagoa, co-founded with Dr. Sérgio Sousa, Ana focuses on personalized dental care, having reunited a highly experienced team that aims to provide advanced dentistry in a very comfortable, inviting environment.
Prior to this, Ana dedicated years to complex oral rehabilitation at the Institute of Implantology in Lisbon. Alongside her clinical work, she also has been involved in academia, serving as a guest assistant at the Faculty of Dental Medicine of the University of Lisbon.
Ana has contributed to the field through articles, presentations, and mentoring aspiring professionals. Dedicated to excellence, education, and innovation, she’s committed to making a positive impact on patient care and improving the dental health services in the community.
João Richard Costa
Chief Commercial Officer - Ombria Resort
Speaking at Carvoeiro seminar
João has been managing the Ombria Resort sales team in Loulé since 2016. João has extensive management experience in real estate, having worked in several mixed-use luxury resort developments, namely at Pine Cliffs Resort, Praia D’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort and Westin CampoReal Golf Resort & Spa, in Portugal.
Ombria Resort is a luxury low-density sustainable development surrounded by nature, in the heart of the authentic Algarve and less than 25 minutes from the coast and Faro airport. It includes a 5-star hotel, an 18-hole golf course and several different types of properties for sale. Currently under construction, the completion of its first phase is scheduled for spring 2023.
Daniel Henderson
Partner - Blevins Franks
Speaking at Carvoeiro seminar
Dan joined Blevins Franks in 2014, and brings over 20 years’ worth of experience in wealth management and estate planning. Starting his financial services career in the late 1990s as a consultant with Scottish Equitable, he worked alongside a broad spectrum of independent financial advisers. Subsequently, he joined one of the financial advisers he worked with to specialise in retirement and estate planning before moving to Portugal to join the Blevins Franks team in the Algarve.
Dan holds the Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA) and the advanced qualifications in pensions and investment planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). He is also a member of the Personal Finance Society (PFS).
Since moving to Portugal, Dan has gained a deep understanding of the tax regime in Portugal and its interaction with UK legislation and regulations. Being an expatriate himself, he understands the needs of UK nationals living in Portugal. He analyses each client’s specific situation and provides tailor-made advice to bring peace of mind to clients.
As part of the Portugal team, Dan is supported by a dedicated team of pensions, investment, tax and client service specialists located in the Blevins Franks offices in Malta and London.
Daniel is an adviser for Blevins Franks Wealth Management Limited (BFWML) which is registered with the Malta Financial Services Authority. He is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).
Ana Alves
Director and Head Teacher - Colégio Santiago Internacional
Ana Alves has been director and Head Teacher of Colégio Santiago Internacional in Tavira since February 2012.
She has a BA (Hons) in Mathematics Education from the London Metropolitan University, also a Masters MA in Leadership and Management Education by Open University.
Ana Alves comes from Lisbon, the Capital of Portugal, where she studied. After she moved to the Algarve University, in 1996, she went to London to finish her Maths degree and started her teaching career there, teaching in inner city schools as a Maths Teacher and Deputy Head of Maths.
Later she moved to the Algarve where she worked in the International School São Lourenço as a maths teacher, embracing three years later the CSi project as her own.
She has been the creator and investor of the CSi concept and is responsible for the strategic plan and policies to take CSi forward. Ana Alves is also the Mathematics and Business Teacher at CSi.
Ana Alves is passionate about the concept of an International education, that will open student’s minds and broaden their experiences, becoming a model global citizens.
Organisers
The Open Media Group is Portugal’s leading publisher of foreign language media with print and online publications in the Algarve such as the Portugal Resident newspaper in English (established 1989) and Barlavento in Portuguese (established 1977). Our magazines include Essential Algarve, the region’s luxury lifestyle magazine (established 2000) in English and Vivre Le Portugal in French.
Contact Us
Get in touch with us
Phone
Address
Rua do Parque Empresarial do Algarve 7, Lagoa, 8401-901, Portugal
Website
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