DavidDT
6/8/2021 19:27 EST
Hello everyone! Damn Yankee here! I have officially kicked off the exodus "USA is not what it used to be" project and have never had any doubts that the country of my final destination will be Portugal. I've been the quite a few times, last time spent 2 month back in Fall 2019 and it always felt like home. Florida with heat, bugs, condos' for nothing fees, crime - you pick it - no thank you. Info on this website is great, unfortunately some of it either outdated or incomplete - oh well - nothing is perfect. I am wondering if someone who went through the process recently compiled some kind of concise "who, where, when, how" manual?
So far, I have not even had any luck getting through to the Consulate in Boston - not by emails, not by phone and what they claim to be "make an appointment" page is .... very Portuguese LOL (AKA not working even when exists).
Anyone knows magic trick how to get through?
Also - has anyone had any luck in opening ActivoBank account online (after they got their FIN)?
Thanks!
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HunterT
6/8/2021 20:10 EST
Activibank will not open an account with you living in Portugal. You can get an account at millennium while living here. I did. I talked with activibank directly.
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DavidDT
6/8/2021 22:33 EST
@HunterT - thank you for replying. To clear the confusion - I am in USA now. Info for ActivaBank on expat forums says they WILL open account remotely. I did exchange emails with them - same rep (I wonder what they are all smoking) stated "we do NOT open account over internet". The reason I want Activo - no maintenance charges. I made an arrangement to open Millennium BCP from USA. but I see no reason to pay 6EUR per month to someone who uses my money LOL.
But, anyhow, again, my main problem is - I can not get through to Boston Consulate (they are not served by VSF)
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realspear
6/9/2021 02:05 EST
Activo opens accounts over the internet for citizens. Otherwise, you need to go into the branch and present your passport.
Other banks in Portugal will give you a free account. I have free accounts with two banks in addition to Activo. What it takes is a significant deposit, say 10000€ or more. You could ask Millenium if they will give you a free account if you deposit a certain amount.
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HunterT
6/9/2021 05:57 EST
Yes I wanted Activobank for the same reason. You can open an account remotely thru the app but you have live in Portugal.
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HoosierMike
6/9/2021 10:35 EST
We didn't try Activo, but were able to open an account with Atlantico from the US. You fill out an application using their app, then do a zoom call interview where they take some screen shots of your passport and signature. It took about 2 weeks to get through the entire process.
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DavidDT
6/9/2021 15:51 EST
Was unable to access Atlantico site for few days, finally got in.
Their minimum service account is clear winner - thanks for the tip!
Just to be clear - Atlantico still need FIN, correct?
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craigandmicki
6/11/2021 08:01 EST
Have you missed the article here, in this forum, titled "US Citizens Moving to Portugal: Demystifying the Paper Trail"? THAT is the 'bible'. https://www.expatexchange.com/ctryguide/4216/92/Portugal/United-States-Citizens-Moving-to-Portugal-Demystifying-the-Paper-Trail
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DavidDT
6/11/2021 19:23 EST
@craigandmicki What made you think that I did not read it? You probably saw how to make irresponsive Consulate to respond in that article that I have missed?
Still, thank you posting - some people do start asking questions right away ..I am not one of them.
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