I’m in Bulgaria, down in the south east. Not a huge immigrant community, we didn’t want that, but there’s enough, in our village and in a half hour radius. we’re a couple with no kids so I can’t help in that regard sorry. We also bought pre brexit and got residency then so I can’t give first hand experience of visas BUT I know the criteria are different to Portugal and possibly more difficult unless you’ve got money to throw at the problem. Which you may well do after selling up? There are loads of Fb groups and YT channels in BG, they are immensely helpful.

Rural properties like ours tend to be connected to power and water, but you can obv choose to go off grid when you’re ready. That’s what we’re doing, but to have those things from day one has been invaluable, there’s enough challenges! Also in BG rural property already has a house on it, not in great order generally. But these two factors set BG apart from Portugal. Also you get A LOT more for your money here. Our house on 1.5 acres cost about £16k. We could afford to buy that before we sold up in U.K., couldn’t find anything comparable in Portugal.

We haven’t done any work in the house but we have made the rooms habitable very easily. We also brought a caravan to live in for when we first arrived and while we work on the house next year. We have done a lot to outbuildings though, what will become my utility and summer/ preserving kitchen in one, compost loo and shower in another – there’s generally no mains drainage in the villages but that’s not an issue for us, water is too precious to flush toilets with and actually the supply has been very hot and miss with ongoing leaks and repairs in the village, a common problem.

It has been hot here, 40° days for weeks on end. Some summer storms, biblical at times, but now very dry, still hitting high 20s in the day, no frost yet but the garden has slowed right down, leaves changing and falling. Winter does get cold, we can’t grow citrus outdoors like I see in Portugal, but it’s generally dry and sunny, some snow, but it was short lived last year.

Last thing is language, it’s very different, although lots of similarities with other European languages if you speak any of the Latin ones, also lots of German words too. Luckily I speak other languages and can make some connections but if you want English speaking you’ll need to live in a more “Brit” area like Veliko Tărnovo or more central/northern. We personally don’t want that, although lots of people in the nearby towns and cities have some English, and it’s super helpful at times, it’s good to at least try and speak some of the lingo, it goes a long way in our experience.

Hope that helps, definitely do visit, the country is incredibly diverse, we love where we are and wouldn’t like to be near a city or coast, or up north, we love the climate down here, close to Greece and Turkey, scenery is awesome and people are fabulous.

I am so sorry to hear that! Because of Brexit so many opportunities have been lost! I do hope that the appeal will work for you.

Ánimo!!!no pierdan la esperanza

I watch a lot of Portugal YouTube videos and I only root for you guys. I got a feeling you gonna get accepted for visa soon. And if you do, you owe me an ice cold beer.

If I was you I would go back to live with dom mum and Rosie could go to school there

Hi…. I found these guys in Ireland . also homeschooling is the best it seems…https://youtu.be/h3JR_QPpWDs.. I am looking into this too 👍

Good luck with your plans and I really hope that you will get your visas. I was wondering if Bulgaria will be different re visa proces for no EEA passport holders? I would imagine that everywhere in Europe the process would be similar, but possibly I'm wrong 🙂 Good luck!!!

I thought Portugal was bringing in the job seeker visa, why don't you guys just get a job there and get a work visa, after five years apply for citizenship.

Hope your dreams came never gave up you dreams God Bless

Stick to it , you already have the land there!

Stay strong

I don,t want further add to your current woes but it,s not going to be any easier to get a visa in Bulgaria or Ireland. I,m Irish and live in Bulgaria so have a fair idea of the process….in so much that that is possible. I am assuming because of your Portugese refusal that you are not European citizens. I that case even before you get Bulgarian residency you must first of all get a D visa. That has to be applied from from your country of residence…..you cannot apply for it from within Bulgaria. Like all visas now there are many criteria to get this D visa….all complicated. Check a Bulgarian embassy website for the exact criteria. There are also lawyers in Bulgaria who can help with this…..but there are also others…..and not always Bulgarians ….who will want to rip you off…in relation to Bulgaria there are many pros and many cons…..like everywhere. But its not just a matter of turning up, buying some land and thats you sorted. It would have been a couole of years ago but no longer for citizens of non EU countries.
If you can overcome these hurdles I have no doubt you would love Bulgaria. But before you even spend money going to check out land/ property check out if you will meet the visa requirements there.
I wish you well.

Glad you guys have a plan B. Surely things will still work out in Portugal 🤞🤞🤞

I have been to Bulgaria its -35c in winter thats why folk head to varna area as only -6/10 long hot summers 40c
Upside amazing primordial forests wolves bears deer etc.Its a bit of a rough poor country average wage £25 a day wage for long hours.

Keep at it my mate kev had no docs nothing nada and has managed to pull off all the legalities its all down to how good a solicitor you got

Let’s hope this visa situation gets sorted out for you all very soon , it’s so unfair and brexit has messed a lot of things up that need fixing !!! ❤

So sad for you, I hope it all works out positive in your favour. 😘😘

Let’s hope you get some news in the coming weeks .. it does sound like you’ve tried most of the options available from your updates. I’m sure you guys know ways around a few things & network with others in the C/B area that could of helped , but seems now your constantly coming to dead ends unfortunately. We noticed quite a few comments on this update have been removed, some seemed interesting tbh reading through them last night , especially the ones posted mentioning things going on in & around C/B .
With the amount of global interest in Central Portugal atm I’m sure land prices have risen in the area so presuming you end up unfortunately needing to sell you’ll hopefully will have a decent amount to reinvest in a new project. It did seem the wildlands suffered from a lack of water & obviously the heat in summer. You guys would make excellent market gardeners 👍.
As you already know .. we’re sad for Rosie & her well-being & stability in this journey around her .. Hopefully you’ll put her to the very top of your list in the next decision .. or wait until she’s decided how she wants to live her life.
Best of luck & fingers crossed you get some news very soon as your gonna need time to plan your next move .
Maybe Vegan market gardeners in the UK or Ireland

Your both truly amazing… im not sure i would be as cool as you guys if i was faced with this horrid situation.. keep the faith guys. Im crossing everything for you. Dont let the bastards get you down…✊

Hi, we are also thinking about moving to Bulgaria and for this moment we can say this:
Better to look for a house near the Turkish border, summer is longer and winter is shorter
+ very cheap houses in the countryside, for 10-15k you can buy a house in "good condition" with a fairly large garden (about 0.3ha, this is common size of a plot in Bulgaria )
+ Bulgaria is cheap to live
+ a lot of freedom a lot of things are there only on paper but people do what they want
+- very hot summers winters are cold
– it is a post Soviet country where Russia still has quite a lot of influence
-people are not very open
-this is not a country with great perspective for kids

Do not give up guys, please, we are praying for you🙏

Hey, just an idea. How about creating a little project where you do a sort of collaboration with a Portuguese community from your land area, for instance with an organization that also works with the council. I say that because these kind of things are always welcome and maybe then, the council can help you with that; with a support writing, etc.

Dont give up! One person who u could chat to is Bruce Off grid, he moved to Ireland off grid, and loves it! So get in touch with him to give u firs and against with Ireland xx

It’s not over till it’s over and if it’s meant for you then it will not pass you by. You have achieved amazing things whilst you’ve been In Portugal and gained an incredible amount of knowledge. You said right at the beginning of this journey that buying the land was a risk and something that was probably always at the back of your mind, so if it goes belly up in my opinion there is no where finer than Ireland for small holding, with a great climate. What’s meant to be will be so chins up my dears because no matter what, you have each other.

🙏🏽 you guys get through 😢 heart breaking. One thing is I will continue to watch like and subscribe no matter where you all live 👍🏽💯 what a journey so far and much more to go. ❤all the best

So sad……..what waste of time brexit turned out to be …..Stopping illegal imagination into the uk……Lots of countries changed for ever

Don't give Portugal up my heart is so sad for you Ireland is beautiful have you thought of South West Wales Pembrokeshire keep fighting never give up

So sorry that your Visa has been declined did they say why or is that a too personal…good luck x

Don't give up. I sent you a message with a referral.

Não é justo que depois de tanto trabalho e dedicação, vocês tenham de ir embora por causa da burocracia do Visa …não desistam lutem por aquilo que vos pertence…alguém têm de resolver a vossa situação 🤞🤞🤞💞

Oh Dom and Missy, we are so so sorry for you both. We have been following your “adventures “ since you sold up in the U.K. we think you both amazing, and your news is devastating, why this should happen to such lovely people I don’t know. Brexit has ruined so many peoples lives and businesses, You both and Rosie deserve so much more. Our hearts and best wishes are with all of you

…yet illegal Albanians can come into the UK and stay as long as they like…

Albania is easy to get into also

Climate in Bulgaria is much different than climate in Portugal, people are good but administration catastrophic and infrastructure in rural communities too

Hiya all Keep positive please….. everything crossed for somebody with sense to sort this out

This is so sad, my heart goes out for you,hears hopeing the visa`s still may come yet,can a lawer or local mayer give any help? Sending hope to the univere.

Really sorry to hear this news… but it sounds like there's still a bit of hope for a visa so I'll be hoping that works out for you!

You seem to be in Portugal for some times due to your land, why didn't you apply for residency ?, it was quite easy during the Brexit process, unless you were living " under the radars".
But residency means to want a minimum of integration with the local community like trying to speak the langage, going to school there, …
By the way, in France it's now legally difficult to do homeschooling, but for medical reasons or living too far away, the french state school on line is still possible.

Over 10 years ago my hubby tried constantly to get me to move to Bulgaria. I wouldn't go, and in recent years much preferred the look of Portugal, however there is now little chance of us leaving the UK at all, but Bulgaria is a regret i have to be honest. Its still very cheap to live there, I would think cheaper than Ireland but i haven't been to either so that would need researching.
Either way, you two have a fighting spirit and seem to adapt to things pretty quickly. BUT, there isn't an end of era in Portugal just yet…..don't give up, don't give in x

Hi Guys,
This is sad news about your visa application, I fail to see why you weren't granted another one, do either of you run a registered business in Portugal ? at least this would show an income, it's much the same here in France where I live, it's all about you not being a burden on the state, to qualify in France you now need to attend a French language course for a minimum amount of time, prove that you can support yourself either by employment, becoming an Entrepreneur, or having a sufficiently large enough pension, it's all jumping through hoops ! Things have tightened up since this September due to the latest raft of Brexit rules being implemented, this also covers the amount of time you are allowed to keep your vehicle on UK plates before you must do the immatriculation process.
I would assume that you have to do your visa application at your local prefecture ? Maybe start a business just to show you are getting on with it,
Luckily I've lived in France for 20 years so had no issues with residency, plus I'm an entrepreneur and have never claimed from the state, oh I also live off grid in the lovely Pays De La Loire 👍
Keep exploring all avenues, maybe go and see your Major and ask him to write a letter for you explaining your situation and that you want to stay in Portugal, Majors have a lot of clout !
Bon courage et à bientôt Mark x

I moved from the Netherlands to the UK and from there to Spain (14 years on a small holding) and since 2 years on a farmhouse with 32 acres in Ireland (Mayo/Sligo border). Could not be happier in Ireland. No more risk of forest fires, cooler climate, no issues with water. Fitting in better culture wise. We know some UK people who live in a farm house in Bulgaria. They bought the house for next to nothing. They were there since before Brexit, but still had issues with the authorities to get the residency sorted. You need translators for everything because you will never manage this on your own. In Bulgaria you may end up with the same issues with residency as in Portugal depending on the mood and attitude of whoever looks at it. Ireland is no problem for Brits in this regard. It is climate, living expenses and healthcare you have to think about. You can buy some abandoned cottages in Co. Mayo /Sligo with 1 acre and spend time and money doing them up whilst living in a mobile home. Cost of living is quite high here. Especially alcohol! Also Car tax and car insurance. Note that wherever you get residency in the EU you need to exchange your UK driving license for a local one. Even in Ireland. And in Portugal by the end of this year.

I am a Bulgarian. My advice is not to come to Bulgaria Off grid life is not popular here, pety crime is very high, prices are very high and above all the climate is changing rapidly, rains even less than in Portugal and growing vegetables gets more and more difficult. If need you always can come and see for yourself. I do hope all these bureaucrats will come to their senses and won't ruine your life and everything you have created. I am watching Utube channel called Mossy bottom. The things this guy is achieving in West of Ireland are amazing. Good luck my dear friends, I admire you.

Solution for you: Come to Ireland, get prof of address here, then exchange your English passport to Irish one, this entitles you to Portuguese residency card because Ireland is still in EU. How about that? 💪

Have you considered opening a company (LTD)… that often or automatically gives you VISA/residence permit. Try look into that!

Shame uk doesn’t repatriate all the hardworking foreigners /Europeans in this country. Brexit is a bloody slaughter if ur are british. We dont chase anyone for anything.