Source: Freepik Author: Redaction According to the Secretary of State for Labour, the Institute for Employment and Professional Training (IEFP) has already received 1,428 applications for the digital training cheque , of which 586 have been given the green light to pay support of up to 750 euros to workers training in digital areas such as cybersecurity, data processing or digital marketing. As announced by the executive, the measure could change very soon to cover civil servants and online training. Regarding the investment applied to the measure, the figure was disclosed by Miguel Fontes: we have already received 1,428 applications for the digital training cheque. Of the total number of applications submitted, 586 have now been approved, which corresponds to a value of 400,000 euros, said the Secretary of State for Labour. Of the total number of applications received, around 90 per cent correspond to training actions with values equal to or greater than the maximum provided for by the training cheque campaign, which totals 750 euros, the aim of which is to develop workers skills and qualifications in the digital field . Announced in the summer and with applications starting on 8 September, t he measure was aimed at workers regardless of their employment relationship , i.e. workers dependent on an employer, self-employed, sole proprietors or partners in one-person companies. Excluded from the universe of potential beneficiaries were workers on public contracts, although it could soon be accessible to civil servants: it was felt that there was no reason why civil servants should be excluded. Miguel Fontes emphasises that, as well as being able to cover civil servants, the updates could also start online, unlike what has been planned up until now, in face-to-face and hybrid schemes: we have to take advantage of this opportunity, which is the particularly unique fact that we have generous funding at our disposal so that workers can face the digital transition. Thus, with an allocation of one and a half million euros for the measure, it is confirmed that this year the IEFP will make a strong commitment to publicising the measure, making it reach more potential eligible candidates. The measure will be available until 30 September 2025 and aims to support a total of 25,000 Portuguese. If you like this measure, follow SUPERCASA Notícias to find out about other initiatives.
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction In 2023, Portugal achieved a historic milestone in the production of renewable energy, a feat that allowed it to reduce emissions of polluting gases in the production of electricity to the lowest level on record. According to a statement issued by the environmental association Zero, three records were broken in the energy sector last year: - Most renewable production; - More days in a row with only renewable energy; - Lowest gas emissions ever. The accounts show a very significant record, in the order of 3.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, the lowest figure since at least 1990, the first year in which Portugal reported greenhouse gas emissions, says the association. The closure of the two coal-fired power stations which, together with the natural gas plants, produced between nine and 17 million tonnes of CO2 a year, contributed to achieving these figures, explains the organisation. As a result, Zero concludes that the energy sector is no longer primarily responsible for emissions, with road transport taking over . Despite the good results, the association also emphasises the need to develop storage infrastructures, as well as the importance of speeding up the production of renewable energy, taking account of the population and making transparent decisions. See also: Fighting energy poverty: Government sets 2030 target
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction As part of the Long-Term Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty 2030-2050 (ELPPE), published last Monday in the Diário da República, the government aims to reduce the percentage of families unable to keep their homes properly heated during the coldest periods. According to the 2020 figures, 17.8% of households did not have this capacity, and the government now aims to reduce this figure to 10% by 2030. As announced in the decree published by the executive, the goal by 2050 is for only 1% of the population to live in these conditions. On the other hand, a target has also been set for families living in uncomfortably cool housing during the summer to fall from 35.7% in 2012 to 20% by 2030. The ELPPE, based on four strategic lines of action, aims to combat and eliminate energy poverty in Portugal , and it is estimated, as stipulated in the governments public document, that between 1.8 and 3 million people currently live in energy poverty , of which up to 660,000 are in severe energy poverty. The four strategic axes of the ELPPE include the promotion of energy and environmental sustainability in housing , the promotion of universal access to energy services considered essential , the promotion of integrated territorial actions and, finally, knowledge and informed action with the appropriate bodies . This strategy aims to reduce the number of families in a situation of energy poverty , which includes dwellings with damp problems, leaks or rotting elements. A National Energy Poverty Observatory will be set up to mitigate this problem According to the government, in order to monitor this strategy to combat energy poverty, a National Energy Poverty Observatory (ONPE-PT) will be set up, whose responsibility is to define new strategic indicators at territorial level to help design and evaluate public policies , as well as propose public policies to eradicate energy poverty and draw up and propose to the government ten-year Action Plans to Combat Energy Poverty , between 2030 and 2050. There should be a review of these plans every three years and, after the presentation of the first ELPPE proposal, the strategy should be reviewed every five, starting in the third quarters of 2028, 2033, 2043 and 2048. The team carrying out these reviews will be chaired by the Directorate-General for Energy (DGEG), with operational support from the Energy Agency (ADENE), through a strategic committee and an advisory committee , made up of representatives of the different areas of knowledge of civil society in the various public domains. In this sense, ADENE has made it its priority to raise awareness and educate all citizens about energy efficiency . Read also: Portugal stands out in the EU with energy-saving measures
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The trends associated with the job market have led the Portuguese to spend more and more time at home, a factor that is accompanied by a greater concern for the preservation and comfort of their space. If the daily working day takes place at home, its essential that factors such as cold, heat or clutter dont interfere with productive capacity. In this context, the YourHero home services platform more than doubled the number of job requests it received for the more than 90 categories it offers , exceeding 60,000 in 2023 compared to 2022, as it announced in a press release to SUPERCASA News . It is now important to take stock of the main needs that the Portuguese sought to fill last year, highlighting the Top 5 of the services most requested from YourHero. 1. Domestic cleaning As in 2022, domestic cleaning will once again be the most requested category in 2023 . However, in the last 12 months, demand for this service has quadrupled on YourHero compared to 2022, with more than 12,000 requests registered on the platform. Of these, 83% correspond to recurring cleanings (weekly or fortnightly plans). 2. Carpentry Carpentry is one of the areas with the highest demand and lowest supply of professionals in Portugal. In 2023, the number of requests received by the platform doubled, with 60% corresponding to small repairs and restorations. 3. Catering In 2023, with the pandemic completely behind us and the return in force of face-to-face events, YourHero saw an exponential increase in catering requests . Demand tripled compared to 2022, with more than half of the orders received being for parties or corporate events. 4. Refurbishment In line with recent years, in which remote working has grown significantly and, possibly, the need for home comfort has increased, demand for home remodeling services continued to grow in 2023 . Last year, demand for these services more than doubled and, as in 2022, total renovations continue to be the most sought-after, accounting for 68% of requests. 5. Insulation Probably due to the heavy rains at the end of 2022, in 2023 the Portuguese decided to pay more attention to insulating their homes. This was another service that YourHero doubled its demand for last year, with around 70% of requests being for the installation of new insulation and only 30% for replacement/maintenance. As well as solving an immediate need, thermal insulation improves the energy efficiency of homes, making them more pleasant and less prone to sudden variations in temperature. Other topics that may interest you: Open House: how to achieve success when selling your property and Home Staging: discover its importance when selling property
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Were counting down to the big party of the year! With less than twenty-four hours to go, youll still have time to realise some of the ideas weve left you with, to spend an unforgettable night and enter 2024 on the right foot. If youre spending New Years Eve at home, why not try an original theme, or even add a touch of glamour to the decor of the room youve chosen for New Years Eve? SUPERCASA Notícias leaves you with 3 last-minute suggestions that you can consider essential elements for entering the new year in full swing! 1. Turn your New Years Eve into a night of games This idea aims to make your New Years Eve even more special, where you can not only remember moments and events from your year , but also turn your evening with friends and family into an even more interactive moment. Why not set up a game in which each person has to list the highlights of their year, or answer questions related to the theme, such as a trivial persuit of the year that is ending? You can combine the useful with the pleasant and, over dinner, do challenges, create riddles and, when the twelve chimes strike, celebrate all the victories in perfect unity! If you cant think of any original games, or dont have time to create anything worthwhile, you can always resort to traditional board games and revive your guests competitive spirit. 2. Grab your best clothes and throw a themed party Call on the glamour of the roaring 20s to enter 2024 in style! Although this type of party is quite common, it never fails on New Years Eve. You can prepare cocktails, put on some lively music, dress up and party until theres no tomorrow. And to make the atmosphere even more festive , decorate your home with garlands, glamorous balloons and other memorable festive elements that will turn your home into a real party space. 3. Prepare a long and filling dinner The best New Years Eves are those where there is conviviality, animation, diverse conversations and festive spirit . All of this can be fostered around a large table and, in order to never run out of energy, there are strategies you can apply, the most effective of which is to fill your dinner table with food. The aim is not to eat until you drop, but to snack until midnight. So prepare various appetisers, starters, tapas, main courses, desserts or original dishes, and give your guests a long night of socialising and entertainment! As you already know, the three essential elements for a great New Years Eve are good entertainment, the right atmosphere and discreet food and drink! Organise the best New Years Eve and offer your guests an unforgettable party! SUPERCASA wishes you and your family a Happy 2024!
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction There are more and more situations in which a person prefers to give away their assets before they die , choosing to distribute them as they wish, rather than inherit them after their death , through a will. Although these are two different methods, they both have advantages, disadvantages and tax implications, which you can find out about in this SUPERCASA Notícias article. Donation of real estate: what does it consist of? Regulated by articles 940 and 968 of the Civil Code, it is a contract to prevent possible conflicts between families regarding the division of inheritances, corresponding to the transfer of assets to someone before death . Literally, according to Article 940 of the Civil Code, it means the contract by which a person, out of a spirit of freedom and at the expense of his or her assets, disposes of a thing or right free of charge, or assumes an obligation, for the benefit of another contracting party . Generally, the option of donating real estate is made when a possible conflict between heirs is foreseen, and the property is handed over immediately to the defined heir. In this situation, the heir reserves the right to assign the usufruct of the donated property or asset to another person. Tax implications of donating real estate Those who receive a gift in their lifetime are liable to pay Stamp Duty , especially on cash gifts worth more than 500 euros. However, spouses, parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren are exempt from this tax, giving them a tax advantage over other types of non-direct heirs. In this situation, in which there is a tax exemption, even if it occurs through direct inheritance of a non-immovable asset, it is compulsory to declare it to the tax authorities via Stamp Duty Form 1 - Participation in Free Transmissions. In the case of property donations , regardless of whether they are made to direct family members or not, a rate of 0.8% is always applied to the Taxable Asset Value (VPT) of the property, which must also be validated by a public deed. Inheritance: what does it consist of? An inheritance is a set of assets, rights and obligations left to heirs by a deceased person, which can be divided or donated . In order to receive an inheritance, if it is undivided , i.e. if there is more than one heir, there must be a head of the estate , appointed by all the heirs to take responsibility for sharing the assets between them. Receiving an inheritance is far more common than receiving a gift of assets, and its tax implications involve not only the payment of Stamp Duty by heirs who are not direct relatives, but also inheritance tax , which applies to real estate, movable assets subject to registration, such as vehicles, and other movable assets, such as bank accounts, shares or works of art. In the case of inheritances with a monetary value of up to 500 euros, the contents of a house or personal belongings of the deceased, these may be exempt from the tax declaration. Donation of assets or inheritance: tax comparison From a tax point of view, any of the two methods will be equivalent if they are direct relatives receiving movable property. It only changes if they are immovable assets, and for direct relatives, the donation of an immovable entails a tax rate of 0.8% . On the other hand, through inheritance, the property is exempt from Stamp Duty. The big difference arises when considering non-direct relatives, for whom the inheritance of a property carries a rate of 10%, while a donation in life adds an additional rate of 0.8%, i.e. a total of 10.85%. It is important to bear in mind that specific tax implications may arise for each situation , but it is possible to conclude that an inheritance by direct relatives is more advantageous than a donation in tax terms. If you have any doubts and want to make the best decisions, always seek legal advice. On taxes and taxation, read on: AT will allow taxes to be paid in installments , Escritura da casa: find out everything you need or Discover the taxes youll have to pay when buying a house
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Decorating the house during the Christmas season is one of the favourite activities of many families, making it a time of togetherness and fun for both old and young. If you havent yet completed your Christmas decorations, SUPERCASA Notícias gives you some sustainable and creative tips to give your home a special touch. Sustainability is an increasingly relevant topic, with growing concern for the environment and its preservation . Did you know that the Christmas season is one of the most wasteful times? In 2020, the percentage of waste produced was 24% higher compared to the rest of the year, with more than 54 tonnes of discarded lights and 1,200 tonnes of Christmas pines going to waste. Opting for sustainable decoration will not only allow you to spend time with your family creating decorations, it will also reduce the waste that occurs during this season. 1. Personalised Christmas tree Make use of reusable materials such as wine bottle stoppers, cardboard, pallets or plastic bottles, among others. To create a personalised Christmas tree, all you have to do is use your imagination and the wide range of personalisation options to create a unique and original tree. To decorate your tree you can simply choose to paint it, or go one step further and use elements such as photos, cardboard cut-outs and LED lights to create a more Christmassy effect . 2. Sustainable wreaths Christmas isnt Christmas if there isnt a garland decoration element in the house . Whether to hang on the door or on the Christmas tree, this is always a welcome element in any home this festive season. You can use materials such as cork, plastic or cardboard to create this decoration, but you can also discover new materials with objects you have at home that you no longer use and that can be reused, for example: - Aluminium cans; - Toilet paper rolls; - Coffee capsules; - Clothes hangers. 3. Lights Every year Portuguese families head to the storeroom to dust off the Christmas lights that have been stored away all year, only to use them in December. These LED lights can be used for much more than lighting the Christmas tree. You can place them inside small jars or glass bottles, creating a personalised lamp that you can use throughout the year. You can also choose to create some kind of lighting in the bedroom or living room, as these lights create a cosy and unique atmosphere wherever they are . 4. Aromatisation Create aromatic elements to put on your Christmas tree, hang on doors and windows, or even place on any table. You can create very interesting elements with fruit peels, such as orange and lemon, bringing more colour and aroma into your home. All you have to do is draw the shape you want on the peel, cut it out and make a small hole in it, where you can insert a string to hang it anywhere in the house. The bark will dry naturally and, during this process, release a very pleasant aroma. Did you like our tips? Read on: Christmas agenda: 5 suggestions around the country to celebrate with the family , Buying a house at Christmas time: the cheapest properties or Prepare for Christmas: 5 gift ideas for your friends homes
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The year 2023 is almost over and its the perfect time to look to the future and plan your diary using all the existing holidays and bridges. Its time to organise your calendar and take stock of your holiday days , optimising their management so that you can benefit from a few extra days off! To get a head start on 2024 , and with some advance planning, SUPERCASA Notícias brings you next years calendar, which you can manage as you see fit to make the most of all the days off to which you are entitled, and enjoy a full, restful year in which you can create the opportunity for new experiences and memories . What are the public holidays and bridges in 2024? 1 January, New Years Day, celebrated on a Monday; 13 February , Carnival Day, which will be celebrated on Tuesday, allowing for a bridge on the previous Monday; 29 March, Good Friday, which follows Easter on Sunday 31 March. You can get three days off; 25 April , on a Thursday, marking the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution; May 1 , Labour Day, allows you to take a break in the middle of the week, as it falls on a Wednesday; 30 May , Corpus Christi Day, falls on a Thursday with the possibility of a long weekend break; 10 June , Camões and Portuguese Communities Day, on a Monday; 15 August , on a Thursday, marks the Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; 5 October, on a Saturday, celebrates the Day of the Implantation of the Republic; 1 November , on a Friday, opens for three consecutive days of rest to celebrate All Saints Day; 1 December, on a Sunday, marks the Restoration of Independence; 8 December , marks Immaculate Conception Day, also on a Sunday; 25 December, Christmas Day, will be celebrated on a Wednesday. As usual in January, the year 2024 opens with the New Years holiday on a Monday, saving you a days work. The same will happen in the last month of 2024, with December giving you a present on Christmas Day, which will be celebrated on a Wednesday, in the middle of the week , preceded by a day off for Christmas Eve, which you can use as a bridge. In February, youll be entitled to a public holiday on Shrove Tuesday, the 13th, if the government decrees it . However, if you cant take advantage of this day, in March you can mark Easter with a long weekend on the 31st, preceded by Good Friday on the 29th. In the second quarter of the year, you can celebrate the 50th anniversary of 25 April with the possibility of a bridge, as the public holiday falls on a Thursday, which you can extend to the Labour Day holiday on 1 May. At the end of May, it will benefit from Corpus Christi Day, on 30 May, which falls on a Thursday, opening up the possibility of a longer weekend. The Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities, on 10 June, falls on a Monday , making for another long weekend, and those who live in Lisbon will have 13 June to enjoy, on a Thursday, with festivities all week long! There are no public holidays to mark the start of the second half of the year, but if you wait until August, you can enjoy the 15th of August and its festivities, with the possibility of an extended weekend, since it falls on a Thursday, so you can combine the useful with the pleasant and book your holidays around this time. October sees the return of a public holiday, this time on a Saturday, to mark the 5th of October. In December, two of the public holidays will be during the weekend , but you can take advantage of the rest, with room to optimise the days you have available for holidays, and plan your 2024 in a big way! Read also: Christmas diary: 5 suggestions around the country to celebrate with the family
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Some companies are allowing their employees to telecommute this Christmas season in order to spend more time with their families. Thats why Selectra , a specialist in energy tariffs, sent SUPERCASA Notícias data showing how much teleworking can increase energy bills and some tips for mitigating this increase. The best option is to use a laptop. It will only consume €4.48 or €4.18, depending on whether you have a simple or bi-hourly tariff on the free market. In the regulated market, the figures will be €4.76 and €4.22, respectively. On the other hand, the fixed computer tower alone will consume 110% more. If you add an LED monitor, the increase will be 195%. Doing the math, if you use a stationary computer, the weekly cost of 8 hours of work will be €13.22 or €12.31 on the free market and €14.04 or €12.43 on the regulated market, depending on whether you have a contract with a single or two-hour tariff. Tips for saving on your bill: Position your desk next to a window and take advantage of the natural light . This will reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day and save electricity when teleworking. Use energy-saving LED light bulbs instead of incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. Set your computer to automatically go into energy-saving mode when its not in use , such as during your lunch hour or breaks. Unplug your computer at the end of the day. Stick to your working hours and avoid overworking . As well as protecting your well-being, youll also be avoiding increased energy consumption due to prolonged operation of electronic devices. Choose the right time cycle for you . There are several electricity companies that offer tariffs whose prices vary according to the time you consume. Take advantage of the discounts associated with signing up to direct debit and electronic billing . These discounts are only available from free market suppliers. Opt for fixed tariffs to have the security of a constant price throughout the contract . Variable tariffs can reflect market fluctuations, as is the case with indexed tariffs. Follow this and other topics in SUPERCASA News .
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The extraordinary support of 16.2 million euros for the public passenger transport sector will once again be allocated by the government, in order to alleviate the consequences of the increase in fuel prices. The payment will be made until 31 March 2024, with the source of funding being the State Budget. The support was approved by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, along the same lines as applied in the first six months of the year. It is again calculated on the basis of ten cents per litre for vehicles using fossil fuels other than natural gas and 30 cents per litre for heavy vehicles using natural gas, assuming consumption of 2,100 litres per month per bus . Given that the previous support came into force until 30 June, and the call previously made by the National Association of Heavy Passenger Road Transport (ANTROP) for urgent fuel compensation, the reference now dates from 1 July to 21 December. Operated by the Environmental Fund , with funds from the State Budget, the support is paid in full until 31 March 2024, with 1,260 euros being paid for each heavy passenger vehicle licensed for public transport in categories M2 and M3 or equivalent and using fossil fuels other than natural gas and 3,780 euros for each heavy passenger vehicle licensed for public transport in categories M2 and M3 or equivalent and using natural gas, says an official source from the ministry led by Duarte Cordeiro. The period for mainland companies to submit applications is still pending publication of the resolution in the Diário da República. Read more: Find out how to benefit from buying a gas cylinder
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Last week, the city of Lisbon was awarded the title of European Capital of Innovation 2023 , winning the race with the cities of Lviv (Ukraine) and Warsaw (Poland). The award was presented to Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon , at a ceremony in Marseille. The prize, awarded by the European Commission, is worth one million euros and aims to recognize the cities that most promote innovation within their communities. According to Carlos Moedas, the prize will be invested by Unicorn Factory to develop social innovation projects and to help combat exclusion. I would like this one million euros to be applied to innovation that changes peoples lives , said the mayor. In just two years, Unicorn Factory Lisboa has attracted 54 new technology centers to Lisbon from 23 countries, announced 10,000 jobs, launched 13 incubation and acceleration programs, tripled the number of startups incubated and positioned the city in industries as diverse as digital health, Web 3 technologies or artificial intelligence , the municipality said in a statement. This project was the basis of Lisbons application for the iCapital awards , which every year recognize the most innovative cities in Europe. Follow this and other topics in SUPERCASA News .
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The Christmas season in Portugal is marked by the organisation of various events from the north to the south of the country and the islands. From handicrafts to clothes, accessories and regional products, SUPERCASA Notícias shows you which Christmas markets you cant miss this year. Wonderland Lisbon Taking place in Parque Eduardo VII between 30 November and 1 January 2024 , Wonderland Lisboa is the most famous Christmas fair in the Portuguese capital, with attractions such as the ecological Ice Rink, the giant Christmas Tree, the Ferris Wheel and Trampolines, the Christmas Train and a Village for the little ones to enjoy. Not forgetting the Christmas Market , which is characteristic of this event, where you can find handicrafts, regional products, clothes, accessories and sweets . Rossio Christmas Market In Baixa-Chiado , between 18 November and 21 December, you can stroll around and enjoy the Christmas spirit at the Rossio Christmas Market. This year, the Rossio square will be decorated with special lighting and there will be twice as many wooden houses as usual, where you can explore the handicrafts and traditional flavours of our gastronomy . At this free event , you can also visit the Dolls Hospital Christmas Exhibition and the Christmas Train , or watch performances by folklore groups, academic tunas and philharmonic bands . Óbidos Christmas Village From 30 November to 31 December , the Christmas Village takes place in the town of Óbidos , with the theme of the Sorcerers School . During this event you can visit Santas House, shows, games, ice rinks and inflatables , with enough entertainment for all members of the family. This edition has put a lot into the programme, so that you can immerse yourself in your surroundings and experience a blanket of artificial snow and new activities such as the Potions Laboratory, Herbology or the Giants House . Coimbra Christmas Market This initiative by the Union of Parishes of Coimbra, in co-organisation with Coimbra City Council, will take place between 1 and 23 December in Praça do Comércio . The event will feature 34 craft and gastronomy exhibitors , as well as a stage that will host musical and other performances dedicated to the festive season . World of Wine Christmas Market Taking place between 25 November and 7 January in Vila Nova de Gaia , you can visit the Christmas markets where you can find ceramics, glass, wood, textiles, jewellery, toys, Christmas decorations and much more. Porto Christmas Market This is one of the most beautiful and traditional markets in Europe, taking place in the Jardins do palácio de cristal between 1 and 24 December . This is an excellent opportunity to explore the Cidade Invicta and enjoy the Christmas spirit amid lights, music, decorated trees and wooden houses where you can find a variety of national products . Guimarães, Christmas Town From 1 December to 7 January , the Christmas market kicks off in the city of Guimarães at Largo Condessa do Juncal . In addition to the market, you can also watch circus entertainment, plays and puppet theatre . Funchal Christmas Market Christmas in Funchal is divided into 12 different events between 23 November and 6 January. The programme begins with the Magic of Christmas in the Market where the decorative lighting will be inaugurated with musical entertainment. During this period you can enjoy an ice rink, visit the Christmas Village, the Ecological Nativity Scene and the musical comedy The Journey of the Wise Queens , among other events. Find out more about this and other topics in SUPERCASA Notícias