Portuguese Residency

Foreign nationals who have been living in Portugal for at least 5 years might be able to apply for permanent residency in Portugal. Find out more about eligibility requirements and different routes to becoming a resident of Portugal.

For professional assistance with your application, call our lawyers on +44 (0)333 305 9375. We are here to help you in person, via the phone, or online.

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What are the benefits of choosing IAS’ Advice Package?

Our Advice Package is the ideal option if you are looking for expert immigration legal advice. With this service, you will have a one-on-one session with one of our immigration lawyers.

Your immigration lawyer will consider your case and offer bespoke advice, and they will advise you on the optimum route to take to achieve your desired result.

During your advice session, you will be able to discuss your case and get detailed information about your options to proceed with your case. We will:

Review your situation and explore your opportunities to get your desired immigration results.

Advice on the most appropriate documentary evidence required to support your case.

Discuss the requirements that you need to meet to qualify for your visa.

Outline the expected time frames to process your application.

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What is permanent residency in Portugal?

The status of permanent residence grants foreign nationals almost the same rights as those who have Portuguese citizenship. Exceptions include participating in elections and holding public office, as well as having a Portuguese passport.

To be able to apply for permanent residency in Portugal, foreign citizens must have spent at least 5 continuous years living in the country.

If you are not sure whether you qualify to apply for permanent residency in Portugal, get in touch with our lawyers. They can assess your circumstances and help you determine whether you meet all the necessary requirements. Call us on on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or reach out to us online.

What are the different routes to Portuguese permanent residency?

An important requirement for Portuguese permanent residency is that foreign nationals must have been living in Portugal for at least 5 years with a temporary residence permit.

Getting a temporary residence permit in Portugal is straightforward for those who are EU/EEA or Swiss citizens. They have the right to come to Portugal without a visa and do not have to meet any specific requirements to become residents in Portugal.

All they need to do is go to the local municipality office and inform them about their intention to spend more than 90 days in Portugal.

Immigration officials then issue them with a temporary residency certificate valid for 5 years. After residing in Portugal for 5 years, they can obtain permanent residency in Portugal.

Non-EU/EEA citizens who wish to move to Portugal permanently must apply for a long-term visa prior to arriving in the country. There are numerous routes they can choose from depending on their individual circumstances. These include:

Family reunification – those who are dependent family members or spouses of someone with Portuguese residency might be able to join them through family reunification
Employment – those who received a job offer in Portugal might be able to obtain a Work Visa or a Startup Visa (provided that their business will be innovative and will create jobs in Portugal)
Retirement – those who have sufficient financial resources and private health insurance might be able to get a Retirement Visa
Study – those who get accepted to a Portuguese university might be able to come to Portugal on a Student Visa and switch to a Work Visa after completing their studies and finding employment
Investment – those who wish to make an investment in Portugal might be able to obtain the Golden Visa

Non-EU/EEA citizens who come to Portugal with a long-term visa must schedule an appointment with the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (SEF) to get their residence permit.

Initially, the residence permit is valid for 1 year but can be renewed for 2 years at a time. After 5 years of living in Portugal with a temporary residence permit, they can apply for permanent residency.

How to apply for Portuguese permanent residency

To apply for permanent residency in Portugal, you must make an appointment at a Lojas AIMA store.

You will need to bring your supporting documents with you to demonstrate your eligibility.

After your appointment, your application will be assessed and you will receive your Portuguese residence permit through the post if your application has been approved.

What documents are required for permanent residency in Portugal?

Those who want to apply for a permanent residence permit in Portugal must provide the following documents:

Valid passport
Two recent photographs
Proof of having a valid Portuguese visa or temporary residence permit
Proof of having sufficient income allowing the applicant to live in Portugal
Proof of accommodation
Proof of having lived in Portugal for at least 5 years
Proof of having private health insurance

The exact documents applicants need to provide can vary depending on their individual circumstances and the type of immigration permission they have in Portugal.

If you require assistance putting together a portfolio of evidence, our lawyers can help you gather all the necessary documents.

Once applicants have all the required documents, they can submit their application for permanent residency. Permanent residence permits are issued by the Portuguese Immigration service.

What are the benefits of Portuguese permanent residency?

Holders of Portuguese permanent residency enjoy numerous benefits that include:

They can travel around Europe’s Schengen Area without having to apply for visas
They have the right to work and study in Portugal without having to obtain any additional permits
They have the right to bring their family members to Portugal
They are entitled to unemployment benefits if they lost their job
They can access healthcare in Portugal
They can apply for Portuguese citizenship (provided that they can pass a Portuguese language test)

Portugal is an attractive destination for both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA nationals due to its mild climate, low crime rates, many employment opportunities, and international atmosphere.

If you are considering moving to Portugal permanently, get in touch with our lawyers. They will analyse your situation and tell you in detail how you can immigrate to Portugal.

Call us on: +44 (0)333 305 9375, or contact us online today.

Get in touch with our expert immigration lawyers to receive assistance on Portuguese Residency.

How can IAS Help?

The process of becoming a permanent resident in Portugal can be complex as there are several routes that foreign nationals can venture down. At IAS, we have a team of experienced immigration lawyers who can tell you what the best option for you to immigrate to Portugal permanently is.

If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen, they can advise you on which Portuguese visa you should obtain. They can answer all your questions and guide you through each step of the visa application process.

If you are an EU/EEA citizen, moving to Portugal might be easier but you should still consult an immigration lawyer who can offer you professional legal advice on how you can get permanent residency there.

Regardless of which route to wish to take to obtain a Portugal residence permit, our lawyers can help you prepare all the necessary documents. Thanks to their help, you can be sure that your case is as strong as possible.

Call us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 to find out more about how our team can help.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

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Legal Disclaimer

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

The short answer to this question is yes. Portugal recognises dual citizenship so you can become a Portuguese citizen without having to give up the citizenship of your country of origin.

Foreign nationals can apply for Portuguese citizenship if they meet the following conditions:

They have been residing in Portugal for at least 5 years with a residence permit or permanent residence status
They have proficiency in Portuguese at level A2 or higher
They do not have a criminal record

Those who become Portuguese citizens can obtain a Portuguese passport and have the right to live in Portugal without any immigration restrictions. As Portugal allows dual citizenship, those who successfully obtain their Portuguese citizenship can have more than one passport.

EU/EEA citizens and citizens of Switzerland have the enter Portugal and remain there for up to 90 days without a visa. If they wish to remain in Portugal longer than 90 days, they are able to do so but they must go to the local municipality office and get their temporary residency certificate. This certificate is valid for 5 years. After living in Portugal for 5 years, they can get permanent residency or citizenship in Portugal.

Non-EU/EEA citizens, on the other hand, must obtain a Portuguese visa prior to arriving in the country. There are numerous visas they can choose from depending on the purpose of their visit.

If you are not sure whether you need a visa to come to Portugal, get in touch with our lawyers. They will help you determine it and submit your application.

Non-habitual residency in Portugal is a tax regime introduced in 2009 to attract foreign investors and professionals that can benefit the Portuguese economy. The programme offers eligible individuals reduced tax rates and allows them to avoid having their foreign-earned income taxed in Portugal for 10 years.

To be able to become a non-habitual resident, applicants must have the right to reside in Portugal due to being an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or having obtained the Golden Visa. In addition to that, they should not have been a Portuguese tax resident in the last five years.

Those who want to apply to become non-habitual residents in Portugal must submit their applications before the 31st of March of the tax year when they become tax residents in Portugal. Successful applicants can benefit from the regime for 10 years.

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