u/Current_User123

Traveling to Portugal this summer and will only have 3 full days in the Algarve. We’re planning to stay in Lagos as our base and do a few day trips around the region.

Would you say 3 days is enough to get a good feel for the Algarve, or does it feel too rushed?

Also, does anyone have recommendations for good boat routes departing from Lagos? We’re especially interested in the Benagil Caves (is it feasible to do Benagil as a day trip from Lagos and come back the same day without it feeling exhausting?)

Would also love recommendations for other easy day trips from Lagos, beaches/towns we shouldn’t miss, or any hidden gems around the Algarve.

Any tips would be super appreciated 🙏🏻

I’m an international former employee in Germany and worked in Berlin for a little over three years under an EU Blue Card residence permit. I left Germany permanently around six months ago.

I recently heard that non-EU citizens who leave Germany may, under certain conditions, be able to reclaim part of their pension contributions (Deutsche Rentenversicherung contributions).

I would appreciate some clarification on the following:

• Which institution is responsible for this process?
• Is this handled directly through the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, or through another authority?
• Does the Ausländerbehörde play any role in the process?
• In practice, is the reimbursement process generally considered worthwhile, or is it disproportionately bureaucratic compared to the amount refunded?

If anyone has personal experience with this process, I’d be very grateful for any guidance or practical insight!!