The Swedish Finance Minister, Magdalena Andersson, expressed dismay regarding the Non Habitual Residence regime that offers a 10-year tax holiday to newly arrived foreign pensioners in Portugal. “If they move to Portugal because they like fado or green wine or because they love the weather, then they should be able to do so. But if they move just to avoid paying taxes, then I think they should look in the mirror and think twice before making that decision” . . . “People must pay taxes either in Portugal or Sweden.”
This prompted Portuguese Minister of Finance, Mário Centeno, to promise to “take measures” to reframe tax benefits that are granted to foreign citizens residing in Portugal noting that the case of Swedish pensioners is not unique. Other countries have also voiced objections to the Portuguese “tax holiday”.