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Transforming Travel: Biometric Innovations in Portuguese Airports

Jan 25, 2024

Portuguese airports have recently introduced an innovative biometric experience, commencing earlier this year at Lisbon and Porto airports. By mid-2024, this transformative travel initiative will extend to Faro, Ponta Delgada, and Funchal airports, offering passengers an enhanced journey experience. This pioneering project is a collaborative effort between ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal/VINCI Airports and Vision-Box, a leading technology company specializing in the travel industry.

The initial phase of the program, implemented at Lisbon and Porto airports, is managed by ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal/VINCI Airports and is exclusively available for TAP Air Portugal flights. Passengers aged 18 and above travelling within the Schengen area can benefit from this streamlined biometric process. The final goal is to broaden this initiative to encompass more destinations and airlines, ensuring widespread accessibility and convenience.

Funding for these cutting-edge biometric experiences is provided by the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan (PPR) and the NextGenerationEU program, through the Accelerate and Transform Tourism Agenda. This strategic agenda aims to transform the customer journey experience in Portugal improving the same, particularly within the tourism sector.

Vision-Box spearheads this innovative travel experience through its Seamless Journey Platform, which seamlessly integrates biometric devices into existing systems for real-time data orchestration. This ensures seamless cooperation among various travel stakeholders' systems, optimising efficiency, security, and convenience for both passengers and stakeholders alike. Notably, this modern approach eliminates the need for traditional boarding passes and travel documents, fostering a privacy-focused ecosystem.

Beginning with enrolment, travellers have the option to register conveniently through ANA Aeroportos' mobile app, supported by Vision-Box Seamless Mobile SDK. Instead, at the airport, biometrically enabled self-service check-in kiosks equipped with Vision-Box's Seamless Kiosks enable travellers to register independently, or they can seek assistance at check-in counters utilizing Vision-Box's Seamless Desk. Successively, enrolled travellers can navigate the airport effortlessly, relying solely on facial recognition at biometrically enabled Vision-Box Security Gates. During boarding, passengers can utilise Vision-Box Self-Boarding Gates, leveraging advanced AI-enabled Vision-Box Facial Recognition Algorithm.

This groundbreaking initiative aligns seamlessly with the Portuguese government's digitalization agenda, aimed at propelling growth within the tourism sector. Furthermore, Lisbon's recognition as the capital of innovation in Europe underscores the city's commitment to pioneering advancements in travel technology and passenger experience.

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Benefits of Personal Income Tax for Young Professionals

by Diogo Pedro • 07 May, 2024

Over the past four years, young workers who earned their first income as employees or self-employed individuals have been eligible for a tax benefit in their personal income tax, known as 'IRS Jovem”. This benefit is intended to offer young workers the possibility of minimising their tax obligations, allowing for a higher amount of disposable income. To enjoy this benefit, taxpayers are required to comply with the following requirements: Have a complete course of level 4 or higher studies on the National Qualifications Framework (high school level acquired through double certification and aimed at pursuing higher education such as a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or a PhD). Age between 18 and 26 years old. Considered independent, i.e., no longer included in the parent’s household for tax purposes. The specified age limit includes individuals up to 26 years old, inclusive. However, this limit is extended to 30 years old for taxpayers who have completed a degree at level 8 of the National Qualifications Framework (PhD). In 2024, this tax benefit has been improved, with increased tax exemption rates and an expanded range of applications over time. In this sense, upon completing the course of studies required, the individual may qualify for an exemption from personal income taxes for a duration of 5 years, as explained in the following details: 100% of the income in the first year with a cap of 40 times the Social Support Index – “IAS” value (€20.370,40). 75% of the income in the second year with a cap of 30 times the IAS value (€15.277,80). 50% of the income in the third and fourth year with a cap of 20 times the IAS value (€10.185,20). 25% of the income in the fifth year with a cap of 10 times the IAS value (5€.092,60). Moreover, the exemption can only be used once by the same taxpayer and should be requested when preparing and filing the personal income tax return. It is also important to acknowledge that this benefit has implications for withholding tax, allowing adjustments to the value subject to withholding tax. However, be aware that, while the withholding tax rate applied corresponds to the total amount of income earned, it is only applicable to the portion that is not exempt. If you have any questions or need assistance with this or related matters, feel free to reach out . We would be delighted to help you.

Being an urgent process, this legal action has priority over legal actions not deemed to be urgent.

My application has been pending for months with the Immigration Office - AIMA. What can be done?

by Sara Ferreira • 29 Apr, 2024

It is known to the general public that the Portuguese Immigration Office (AIMA) has not been able to timely approve residency authorisation requests within the legal timeframe defined to do so, thus resulting in residency applicants having their applications on hold for months, in some cases even years. One way to tackle this inaction from the Immigration Office is to file a legal action, namely the Subpoena for rights, freedoms and guarantees of the citizens.