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    Thank you. Sounds like they make it complicated, and will require keeping track of investments and gains from those. Still probably worth continuing conversions overall though.

  • Introduction

    New Member Introductions
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    Welcome John, it’s great to have you!

    In this forum you’ll find helpful posts on different countries. Our Portugal section is a place dedicated to navigating life in Portugal with valuable insight, tips, and shared experiences which you may find useful for your journey!

    Again, welcome to the Community! 👏 🎉

  • New Member

    New Member Introductions
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    Welcome Brian, it’s great to have you!

    Remember you can access and search the International Living Magazine Archive and reach out to IL Customer Service about your membership benefits. You’ll find information on books and other products and upcoming events. In this forum you’ll find helpful posts on different countries (and we invite you to post questions you don’t find the answers for).

    Again, welcome to the Community… you’re an ILer now. Here’s to thinking… and living… internationally 👏 🎉

  • 0 Votes
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    In both countries, the only way to get a passport is by acquiring citizenship, which requires living in those countries for a continuous period. Thr spouse can't get citizenship ifhe/she isn't living there.

    In Lithuania, if the spouse of a citizen lives in the country for seven years as a permanent resident they are eligible to apply for a passport.Getting permanent residency is more or less the same as it is in the US, with registering your foreign marriage with the Lithuanian government, having a place to live, sufficient funds, and so on.

    In Poland, the foreign spouse must first live in the country with a temporary residence permit based on marriage. After that, the spouse can apply for permanent residence. The spouse must remain on that status for another year. As long as you haven't been absent for more than 10 months in total over that five year period, the spouse can then apply for citizenship.

    One thing that can cause complications in both cases is whether the Lithuanian or Polish citizen was recognized as such at the time of marriage. Lithuanian law doesn't require that a couple be married for any particular period before they apply for citizenship, but Poland says that you have to be married to a citizen for at least three years. Some Polish officials interpret that as meaning that you have to wait for three years after your spouse became a citizen, whilst others counted from the date of your marriage. But under Polish law, once you're recognized as a citizen by right of blood, your citizenship is backdated to the time of your birth. The problem is that not all Polish bureaucrats know that!

  • Is Mexico’s Riviera Maya Safe?

    Mexico
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    Hello Sherry,

    I've been to Playa del Carmen as a solo traveler for two 10-day stays over the last two years. I LOVE Playa and its people. Everyone I've met and interacted with have been unbelievably friendly and helpful. Even without speaking much Spanish, I've never had a problem and feel safe walking wherever I want to go. I'll be spending this November and December in Playa, and I can't wait.

    Although some tourists are unsettled about the police presence on the beach and in the town, I feel safe with them. Unless you are partying hard or driving in an unsafe manner, they will not bother you at all.

    I hope you will give the Riviera Maya a try. And remember, expect the best and you'll experience the best.