It’s May again in Portugal – and like clockwork, the national railway Comboios de Portugal (CP) is on strike. From May 7 to 14, 2025, much of the train system is at a standstill. If you live in the Lisbon metropolitan area, you know the drill: the iconic Cais do Sodré – Cascais line is always among the first to go silent.

May 1st, 2025, a public holiday in Portugal and many other European countries, wasn’t just another Labor Day for us – it turned into a memorable spring experience full of ups and downs, quite literally. We used it as an opportunity to take a break from our everyday routine and enjoy a little adventure across the Tagus River.

April 28, 2025 started like any other Monday: first coffee, a quick glance at the phone, a few emails, and the week was underway. In Miraflores, a quiet neighborhood west of Lisbon, spring hung gently in the air. The sun shone soft and bright, the scent of Atlantic breeze and jasmine filled the streets.

Easter Sunday. A day that holds special meaning in so many cultures and hearts. For some, it's the pinnacle of the Christian faith, the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, a symbol of hope and new beginnings. For others, it's a welcome spring day filled with family traditions, colorful eggs, and the sweet scent of chocolate. And for still others, like me yesterday, it was a wonderful blend of profound reflection and exuberant joy with dear friends.

The sun is shining extra bright over Lisbon today, but my thoughts are already drifting toward the tropical landscapes of Cabantian. It’s Saturday, April 19th, 2025 — and on our personal countdown calendar, it marks another important milestone on this wild and beautiful journey we’ve chosen. To be exact: 164 days until our planned departure on September 30th. Time flies — or maybe it drags, depending on your level of excitement. And ours? Through the roof!

It’s been just a few days since my last blog post, but the whirlwind of events since then makes it feel like weeks have passed. Four long, gray days filled with the soul-crushing monotony of my support job here in Lisbon. A job that, at best, I’ve endured rather than enjoyed. But on Monday, April 14th, 2025, something incredible happened — something that changed everything.

(Sunday, April 13, 2025)

Saturday, April 12, 2025

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Had a charming little chinwag today with an HR rep (let’s call her Susan – she looked like a Susan) from a BPO company in Malta. Yes, Malta. The island where dreams go to be taxed, tanned, and underpaid.Susan, with the earnest sparkle of someone who just discovered Canva, explained to me that this particular BPO company – Besedo, for the curious – offers “tremendous career opportunities.” Ah yes. Minimum wage by law, maximum demands by fantasy. Classic.Career Opportunities, You Say?Let me paint the picture: You start as a Content Moderator – a glorified digital janitor for the internet’s darker urges. But fret not! If you show promise (and survive), you might be promoted to Senior Moderator – where you do exactly the same thing, but with a title that sounds slightly more LinkedIn-worthy

Today is a special day for me and my Fiancée: Our online shop is finally live on our website! After months of intense preparation, planning, and design, we are proud to offer the first products for remote workers and digital nomads. 🚀

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Picture this: You’re a product. Yep, you heard that right. You — your time, your energy, your know-how — all wrapped up in a polished résumé with a little bow on top. And that package? You’re selling it. To whom? The highest bidder? The most charming one? The one who annoys you the least? Nah. Most of us sell our precious time to whichever employer just happens to have a vacancy.

Stell dir vor: Du bist ein Produkt. Ja, du hast richtig gelesen. Du, deine Zeit, deine Energie, dein Know-how – alles, was du bist, verpackt in einen schicken Lebenslauf mit Schleifchen drum. Und dieses Paket verkaufst du. An wen? An den Meistbietenden? An den Charmantesten? An den, der dich am wenigsten nervt? Nein. In der Regel verkaufen wir unsere wertvolle Lebenszeit an irgendeinen Arbeitgeber, der zufällig gerade Bedarf hat. Aber was, wenn das der Falsche ist? Und was, wenn wir einfach sagen: "Danke, nächster bitte!"

Every year on March 17th, the world plunges into a sea of green, Guinness, and questionable decisions. St. Patrick’s Day is more than just a boozy holiday – it’s a mix of history, national pride, and the undeniable Irish talent for celebrating with a drink in hand. But how did it all start? Why do the Irish drink like there’s no tomorrow? And why is everyone suddenly celebrating this Irish holiday, whether in Dublin or Tokyo?

Job applications in the digital age – faster, smarter, more efficient? 🤖 Think again. Welcome to the Kafkaesque reality of an ordinary IT applicant. This blog post is based on my personal experience and sheds light on how a harmless 1st Level IT Support role turned into an involuntary retro journey through my own past. Complete with a GDR school certificate 🏫 and a raised eyebrow 🤨 – served with sharp wit, a pinch of dark humor 🖤, and a few critical questions.

As a former freelancer (XWF) for CONTIO.tech, a subcontractor for Google, I have firsthand experience of how problematic business practices in this industry can be. I was treated like an employee despite officially being classified as self-employed—a classic case of misclassification. When I reported this, my contract was terminated in retaliation. In this article, I share my experience and explain why this model is not only unethical but also illegal in many countries.

Als ehemaliger Freelancer - externer Google Mitarbeiter (XWF) für CONTIO.tech, einem Subunternehmen von Google, habe ich aus erster Hand erlebt, wie problematisch die Geschäftspraktiken in dieser Branche sein können. Ich wurde wie ein Angestellter behandelt, obwohl ich offiziell als Selbstständiger geführt wurde – ein klassischer Fall von Scheinselbstständigkeit. Als ich dies meldete, wurde mein Vertrag als Vergeltungsmaßnahme gekündigt. In diesem Artikel schildere ich meine Erfahrung und erkläre, warum dieses Modell nicht nur unethisch, sondern in vielen Ländern auch illegal ist.

As of January 1, 2025, the monthly minimum wage in Portugal has been raised as follows:

In a world where flexibility and mobility are becoming the norm, remote work and the digital nomad lifestyle are more popular than ever. While these work styles offer freedom and independence, they also come with unique challenges, particularly when it comes to personal well-being. Self-care often takes a backseat, but neglecting it can lead to long-term problems. This article explores why self-care is essential for remote workers and digital nomads and provides actionable tips to incorporate it into your daily life.

When deciding to establish a small business in Portugal, you quickly face a mountain of formalities, paperwork, and regulations. When I embarked on this journey, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Then I discovered Rauva, a platform specializing in assisting entrepreneurs in Portugal. What can I say? Choosing their services not only simplified my setup process but also significantly accelerated it. In this blog, I’d like to share my experiences with Rauva and explain why I wholeheartedly recommend this platform to anyone looking to start a business in Portugal.

Portugal is often considered a dream destination for weddings, with its stunning coastlines, picturesque villages, and rich culture. However, for foreign couples wanting to tie the knot here, the journey to the altar can be less about romance and more about navigating a labyrinth of bureaucracy. After more than two years, three attempts, and countless frustrations, we finally submitted all the necessary paperwork to the civil registry office in Oeiras on Friday, December 20, 2024. 

Let’s get one thing straight: I’m not cut out to be an employee. I’ve tried it. I really have. But being stuck in a 9-to-5 grind, getting underpaid, and sitting through meetings where someone reinvents the wheel every week? Not for me. As a contractor, though? I thrive. I shine. I crush it.

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Hi, everyone! 😊 We’re Bodo and Penky, and we just had an incredible weekend exploring Maastricht in the Netherlands, a city that could soon be our new home! Recently, I (Bodo) received a job offer in Maastricht, which would mean leaving behind sunny Lisbon.

Heute aus besonderen Anlass ein Blogpost in Deutscher Sprache für meine Leser im deutschsprachigen Raum. 

In today’s fast-evolving gig economy and remote work landscape, freelancers and digital nomads need skills that are not only in demand but also well-compensated. This guide explores the top skills that can help you maintain a steady income while enjoying the flexibility and freedom of freelancing.

I’ve recently been presented with two exciting job opportunities that have left me with a tough decision: should I join Salesforce or Pipedrive in a Technical Support role for the German-speaking market (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)? 🛠️

I’ve been living in the Lisbon metropolitan area for almost three years now—originally coming here for work. My fiancée Penky has been in Portugal even longer, living here for five years. We met here, and now we want to get married—mainly because we’re already here. However, our wedding plans have hit a serious roadblock, one that feels impossible to overcome: Portuguese bureaucracy.

I’ve been living in Lisbon for the past 2.5 years, a city that often gets praised for its warm weather, stunning views, and friendly locals. But, as much as this place has its charm, my experience here has been far from ideal. In fact, after all this time, I’ve realized that Lisbon isn’t where I want to be, neither personally nor professionally.

A few months ago, Capgemini Engineering reached out to me through LinkedIn, offering me a position as an Associate Connectivity & NW Engineer. They presented the role as a great career opportunity, highlighting the company’s focus on flexibility and international mobility. The prospect of working for a global company that emphasized these values was exciting—but the reality turned out to be disappointing.

In the early hours of August 26, 2024, Lisbon was jolted by an earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale. Occurring at 03:11 AM local time, this tremor was the strongest the region had experienced in 15 years. Although the shaking was felt across Lisbon and nearby areas, including parts of Morocco, there were no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries.

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Hello fellow language enthusiasts!

Online shopping has gained immense popularity in recent years, with platforms like Pinterest and Shopify making purchases just a click away. However, sometimes this convenient shopping experience can turn into a nightmare. In this blog, I want to share my sobering experience of falling victim to a fraudulent dropshipping store and the challenges I faced in trying to get my money back.

On the morning of July 19, 2024, IT administrators worldwide experienced a nightmare scenario when Microsoft CrowdStrike a crucial component of many cloud-based services, unexpectedly went down. This incident had far-reaching consequences, shaking not only the IT world but also significantly impacting global air traffic. The BBC reported extensive flight cancellations and delays caused by the collapse of critical systems.

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1. Allianz Travel Insurancehttps://www.allianztravelinsurance.com 

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