Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

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Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

Bob Tapper

86 episodes

2 weeks ago

Send me a Text Message! 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 a brand-new document requirement I just learned about. From rent receipts and bank statements to proof of income and residency, I share the full checklist I reviewed with my consultant and what you should be prepared for if your own appoi...

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Society & Culture,

Entrepreneurship,

All content for Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹 is the property of Bob Tapper and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Send me a Text Message! 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 a brand-new document requirement I just learned about. From rent receipts and bank statements to proof of income and residency, I share the full checklist I reviewed with my consultant and what you should be prepared for if your own appoi...

Show more...

Personal Journals

Society & Culture,

Entrepreneurship,

Episodes (20/86)

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S6:Ep14 - AIMA Document Prep (Again) + New Requirement!

Send me a Text Message! 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 a brand-new document requirement I just learned about. From rent receipts and bank statements to proof of income and residency, I share the full checklist I reviewed with my consultant and what you should be prepared for if your own appoi...

2 weeks ago

3 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S6:Ep13 - How Charles Moved to Portugal on a D7 Visa — Without Leaving the U.S.

Send me a Text Message! 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 us through his step-by-step D7 visa journey, from choosing Portugal as his new home to hiring a consulting company that handled everything: his NIF, housing search, bank account setup, passive income verification, and even the FBI background check. Hear how wo...

1 month ago

25 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S6:Ep12 - Portugal D7 Visa: Financial Requirements vs. Recommended Amounts for Approval

Send me a Text Message! 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 minimum can improve your chances of approval. From the exact income thresholds for singles, couples, and families to the recommended savings that make your application stronger, this quick guide gives you the clarity you need before startin...

1 month ago

2 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S6:Ep11 - Portugal AIMA Lease Rule Change!

Send me a Text Message! 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 (thankfully my landlord gave me everything I need), why it matters for expats on the D7 visa and beyond, and how I’m preparing for my October appointment with my consultant. AIMA: Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum The AIMA web...

1 month ago

2 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S6:Ep10 - How Meredith & Mark Got Portugal Residency Fast: VFS to AIMA Timeline

Send me a Text Message! 🎙️ Meredith & Mark: The Fast-Track to Residency in Portugal In 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 Junkies podcast and YouTube channel. They share their full relocation story — from the moment they decided to leave Charlotte, North Carolina to arriving in Portugal with visa stamps in hand… and quickly landing an AIMA appointment and residency card...

2 months ago

30 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S6:Ep9 - Portugal Residency & Citizenship by Descent | Morgan & Louie’s Unique Paths

Send me a Text Message! 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 citizenship as a spouse. We talk about what it’s been like navigating the AIMA process, the little cultural adjustments along the way, and of course, those fun “pinch me” moments that remind them why they chose Portugal. They also ...

2 months ago

22 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S6:Ep8 - AIMA Meeting (CANCELLED?!) + One Big Tip You Must Know

Send me a Text Message! 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: expired visas, travel restrictions, healthcare, taxes, and even the risk of moving apartments before my residency card arrives. It’s frustrating, sure, but it’s also part of the process here in Portugal. I talk about why hiring a consultant is...

2 months ago

5 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S6:Ep7 - AIMA Document Prep (and avoiding a last-minute mistake!)

Send me a Text Message! AUGUST 2025 Getting 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 could become a big headache. The meeting’s in Viana do Castelo, about an hour from Porto, so I’m making it an overnight trip. Hopefully, I’ll be celebrating that my residency permit is on its way… and enjoying a little time in one of Portugal’s ...

3 months ago

6 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S6:Ep6 - D7 Visa Approved – Inside My VFS Appointment

Send me a Text Message! JULY 2025 In 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, what documents I needed, and how long it took to get approved. Plus, I talk about the unexpected bonus I got with my visa—an AIMA appointment already scheduled for me, which is rare! If you’re going through the Portugal D7 visa process or planning to move to Portug...

3 months ago

7 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S6:Ep5 - Why I Moved to Portugal + D7 Visa First Steps

Send me a Text Message! JULY 2025 In 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, and how I started the process of applying for the D7 passive income visa. If you’re thinking about moving to Portugal, curious about life in Porto, or want to understand what it takes to start the D7 visa process, this episode is for you. 🇵🇹 ...

3 months ago

10 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S6:Ep4 - Visa Victory: Back to Portugal, Albania Highlights & A New Chapter

Send me a Text Message! APRIL 2025 After 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 with visa in hand, and soaking up a few last memorable moments in Albania before leaving. From a powerful mural of Mother Teresa to a surprising statue of Woodrow Wilson, I reflect on the beauty of unexpected travel discoveries — and what it feels l...

6 months ago

5 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S6:Ep3 - From Porto to Tirana: A Visa Pause & a Whole Lot of Flying

Send me a Text Message! MARCH 2025 Hey 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 Travel Shuffle: Porto > Madrid > Tirana > Frankfurt > US > Frankfurt > Porto. So. Many. Flights. But you know what? Tirana—and especially the Blloku neighborhood—continues to surprise me. It's my third time here and there's alwa...

7 months ago

5 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S6:Ep2 - Moving Abroad: My Portugal Visa Journey & Expat Life Updates

Send me a Text Message! February 2025 This 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 days, I finalized everything, spent time with family, and made it back to Porto—officially moving into my new apartment! Now, it’s all about getting settled before a quick trip back to Albania while I wait for my residency. The journey continues...

8 months ago

3 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S6:Ep1 - From Porto to Portimão: My Portugal Journey

Send me a Text Message! JANUARY 2025 It’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—probably less travel and more focus on settling into life in Porto, Portugal. But that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped exploring! I kicked off the year by heading south to the Algarve, trading Porto’s northern charm for the beach vibes of Portimão. And let me...

9 months ago

9 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S5:Ep12 - Porto, Portugal: Reflections, New Beginnings, and a Visa

Send me a Text Message! DECEMBER 2024 I’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 peaceful charm of Porto. From revisiting the Clérigos Tower and taking in breathtaking views from the cable car to finding creative energy in an improv class, it’s been an amazing end to this year. I’m also sharing some big news about 2025: I’ve st...

10 months ago

7 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S5:Ep11 - Adventure and Relaxation in Tirana, Albania

Send me a Text Message! NOVEMBER 2024 I’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 been a blend of discovery and balance. Whether it’s hitting the gym, indulging in comfort food, or taking time to relax and recharge, I’m reminded how important it is to embrace life’s rhythm. With big changes ahead, I’m gearing up to leave T...

11 months ago

8 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S5:Ep10 - Istanbul Moments, Tirana (Blloku) Vibes

Send me a Text Message! OCTOBER 2024 I 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—definitely one for the memory books. I also checked out the Pera Museum’s collection of Turkish art and found a bit of peace in Gezi Park amid the city’s hustle. Now I’m back in Tirana, Albania, soaking up fall vibes in the trendy Biloku neighb...

1 year ago

5 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S5:Ep9 - Istanbul, Turkey: First Impressions and Challenges

Send me a Text Message! SEPTEMBER 2024 This 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 (hello, daily leg workout!). But the sea view? Totally worth it. Istanbul’s got this incredible vibe, split between its bustling European side and the laid-back Asian side. I’ve been exploring Istiklal Avenue’s lively energy, enjoying Turkish ic...

1 year ago

14 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S5:Ep8 - Visiting Cologne/Bonn, Germany (Pros and Cons)

Send me a Text Message! AUGUST 2024 I 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 me a well-rounded view of the area, and both cities have so much to offer. One highlight was visiting the Beethoven House, where you can explore the very home where he spent the first four years of his life. And Bonn Minster, with its stunni...

1 year ago

14 minutes

Life Abroad in Portugal with Bob Tapper 🇵🇹

S5: Bonus - Votes Across the Rhine: Cologne's Take on U.S. Politics

Send me a Text Message! 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. Support the show

1 year ago

5 minutes