I am also interested in getting a pulse on the tech scene in Lisbon, to move there as an IC more so than an entrepreneur.
How do you stay up to date on what's happening tech wise in Lisbon? Just contacts in your personal network or are there specific social media, blogs, podcasts, that you can recommend to get a feel for what's happening?
Are salaries for IC's still suffering from a 'near-shore' effect or are salaries just a flat remote rate and there isn't much of a 'local market' arbitrage effect?
I have found it very easy to meet expats here. Having kids in international schools helps and so does having a dog. Amazing how many friends we have from working the dog at Guincho and Carcavelos beaches, also informal events like Cascais Curry Club.
Salaries vary dramatically some low local rates but many Freelancers working remotely at same rate as US or UK.
Lots of IT meetups in Lisbon. Tax is quite favourable for Freelancers 25% deduction combined with NHR regime 20% tax, ie effectively 15%, but you do have to pay social costs. Public healthcare is good for emergencies which you top up with private healthcare which is excellent and remarkably cheap.
How do you stay up to date on what's happening tech wise in Lisbon? Just contacts in your personal network or are there specific social media, blogs, podcasts, that you can recommend to get a feel for what's happening?
Are salaries for IC's still suffering from a 'near-shore' effect or are salaries just a flat remote rate and there isn't much of a 'local market' arbitrage effect?