A residence permit in Portugal is issued to those who have a legitimate reason to stay in the country for a long period of time (usually more than three, but within 12 months). The most popular reasons for relocation include work, study, investment and business, family ties. Refugee status, special activities (e.g., scientific research or volunteering) can also be reasons for legalization. Residency is granted to law-abiding foreigners with no criminal records, who have the means to support themselves, the required set of documents and a place to register their residence in the state.

A residence permit in Portugal allows you to live in the country with access to the labor market, health care and education system, social security and tax benefits. With this document it is possible to travel without visas in the Schengen zone states. The Portuguese Republic is a member of the European Union, so the owner of a local residence permit automatically becomes a resident of the EU and, as a rule, has the right to apply for citizenship 5 years after moving – on naturalization.

The opportunity to reside in Portugal for an unlimited period of time without additional conditions is available to passport holders of any of the EU countries. Migration specialists at Relocation Compass help to apply for EU citizenship as a second citizenship in an accelerated procedure – from 6 to 14 months. You can analyze the chances of participation in the program at a free consultation.

What is a residence permit in Portugal?

A residence permit (in the legislation of the Republic – ART) is a confirmation of a foreigner’s right to temporary residence in Portugal. The document looks like a plastic card with a chip insert containing biometric information about the resident. The permit shows basic personal data, residence registration and the authority that issued the card, as well as the period of issue and validity.

The residence permit certifies the identity of the holder in the territory of the Portuguese Republic and other EU countries. It can be used in common use without a passport. Usually, the residence permit is valid for up to one year with the right to renew it for subsequent two-year periods. If the foreigner’s activity is of interest to the Republic, he/she can be issued a residence permit for 24 months at a time with the possibility to re-issue the status for 3 years.

Two main types of residence permits can be distinguished:

• Immigration.
  A document that can be renewed an unlimited number of times and entitles the holder to a subsequent permanent residence and, in the future, a passport upon naturalization. Example: work or family residence permit.
• Non-immigration.
  A residence card that has a limited validity period (usually up to 12 months) and cannot be renewed or re-issued only in exceptional cases for a limited number of times. Example: document for volunteers or interns.

Conditions for granting a Portuguese residence permit

The main condition for obtaining residency status in Portugal is the presence of one of the reasons listed in the legislation for long-term residence in the country (for example, conclusion of a contract with a local employer, moving to a close relative or registering a business). The following requirements must also be met:

• undergoing a photographic procedure;
• preliminary opening of a national visa;
• proof of financial security at the level of minimum wage (in 2024 – 820 EUR per month);
• availability of a place to live in the state (rented, bought or provided);
• absence of a criminal record, including those abroad;
• medical insurance;
• not being listed as persona non grata according to the Schengen Information System.

Grounds for obtaining a residence permit

In order to obtain a residence permit in Portugal, one must have grounds according to the law that approves the legal regime of entry, stay, exit and expulsion of foreign nationals. It is also possible to obtain residency for investment in the economy of the state: you can invest in the purchase of residential or commercial real estate.

It is important to note that the acquisition and use of a false residence permit is punishable up to expulsion from the country with a ban on further entry into all EU and Schengen states.

Startup visa

Legalization as Portuguese residents is available to those who are ready to open an innovative enterprise in the territory of the State. It is necessary to obtain the financial support of an accredited business incubator, which will take care of the startup. A residence permit cannot be granted without approval from the Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation. To start the immigration procedure, a business plan should be prepared, which will convince the authorities of the prospects of the project to be organized. Also, applicants are usually checked to see if they have the relevant experience to run a business.

Investment

Special conditions for issuing a Portuguese residence permit are provided for those who are ready to invest a certain amount of money in the economy. The document is granted without prior opening of a visa, gives the right to move immediately with the family (and not to request later reunification). Also, the resident can reside abroad for a long time and come to the country for at least 1-2 weeks a year. The applicant has the right to choose the most suitable conditions for obtaining a residence permit:

• Investing 250,000 EUR in the restoration or maintenance of the national cultural heritage;
• investing 500,000 EUR in opening or expanding a business with 5 new jobs, buying shares of investment funds, supporting research institutions.

An alternative investment is the creation of 10 new full-time jobs for citizens of the Portuguese Republic, which is an advantage for those who plan to open their own business in the state.

Family circumstances

Close relatives of residents with an immigration-type residence permit are eligible to request a residence permit. Children under the age of 18 who are unmarried, as well as legal spouses, may be applicants. Reunification is also approved with other relatives in special cases, such as a mother or father in need of care or an adult dependent child.

In order to apply for a residence permit, the family ties between the parties are documented by civil status certificates. The receiving party must also prove that it has sufficient financial means to support the invited relatives and has a place to accommodate them (e.g., a bought or rented apartment).

Employment

A residence permit is issued to those who enter into an employment contract with a Portuguese employer. It is also necessary to prove registration with the tax and social security funds. A residence permit is also granted to those who work in a foreign branch of an international company for a minimum of 3-12 months (depending on the position) and are transferred to a Portuguese representative office or go on a long business trip.

EU Blue Card

This special type of residence permit is granted to highly qualified professionals who will work in Portugal under a contract for a minimum of 6 months. Experience and education on the profile should be confirmed by documents, in particular – a diploma from the university. The minimum salary must be at least 1.5 times the national average in the chosen industry, i.e., from 1750 EUR per month before taxes as of 2024. EU Blue Card holders have the right to move to the Republic together with their family members.

Professional activity

Portugal grants residency to those who want to carry out independent activities in the territory. Applicants need to notify the social and tax authorities about starting work. The sphere of occupation for foreigners is not limited: it is possible to open a new company or conclude a contract with a local organization to provide services. If the relevant industry requires special qualifications in the state, it will be necessary to confirm them, for example, with the help of a diploma or authorization from a specialized national association. The amount of the authorized capital is not regulated by law.

Humanitarian circumstances

It is possible to request protection in Portugal and on this basis obtain a residence permit. The document is issued to those who prove that they cannot reside in their country of citizenship because of a real threat to life or health, for example, they are persecuted because of their race or political views. Protection is also granted to victims of human trafficking or forced illegal immigration. Exceptionally, Portugal may approve a residence permit for those who have no legal reason to remain in the country, but are forced to stay due to overwhelming circumstances. Each case is considered on an individual basis.

Education

International students in the Portuguese Republic can apply for residency status. To obtain a residence permit, you will need a certificate of enrollment at a university and proof of tuition fees. It is also necessary to have the means to live in the country and to be insured by the National Health Service.

Other reasons

Portuguese residency is granted for a number of other reasons, such as:

• voluntary work;
• participation in scientific research;
• completion of an internship in a Portuguese company;
• the need for medical treatment in a local clinic.

These are rarer types of residence permits, many of which are of limited duration and do not entitle to naturalization in the State. The relevant reason for moving to Portugal should be supported by documents, such as an internship contract.

It is possible to immigrate to Portugal as a citizen of any of the EU states. Some EU countries, such as Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia, grant status under a simplified program, without a language test and proof of sufficient financial security. It is possible to choose the best way to move, having previously learned about the pros and cons of each of them, with the help of Relocation Compass international law specialists.

List of documents to apply for residency status

To apply for a residence permit in Portugal, you need to prepare:

• two passport-size photos in color;
• a passport or its equivalent;
• a national visa of category D;
• proof of financial security;
• a lease/purchase agreement;
• certificate of no criminal record;
• health insurance policy;
• receipt of payment of administrative fees;
• civil status certificates (if applicable);
• proof of the reason for immigration (e.g., work contract or university certificate);
• tax and social security registration certificates, if applicable.

Documents that are issued abroad must be officially translated into Portuguese and then apostilled.

How to obtain a residence permit in Portugal

The procedure for obtaining temporary resident status in Portugal:

1. Researching options for relocation and compiling a dossier.
   It is necessary to determine the reason for obtaining residency, and then prepare the appropriate documents.
2. Opening a national visa.
   Usually, obtaining a residence permit is preceded by an entry permit, which is granted on the same basis as residency. It is necessary to visit the Portuguese consulate in person, submit a dossier and leave your passport. The exact period of consideration of the request is not regulated by law, but according to the feedback of foreigners and the practice of lawyers, it usually does not exceed 1-2 months. Upon approval, a visa valid for 4 months is pasted into the passport.
3. Moving and visiting the migration service.
   Before the visa expires, it is necessary to visit Portugal and go to the territorial office of AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum). The application is submitted by appointment, including through the electronic platform on the official website of the organization.
4. Obtaining a residence permit.
   The application for a Portuguese residence permit is processed in up to two months, unless additional information or documents are required from the applicant. If the request is approved, a Temporary Resident Card is provided, which certifies the identity of the holder in the territory of the country.

Terms and cost

The processing time for a residence permit in Portugal is a total of 3-4 months. This period includes documentary preparation, making an appointment and visiting the diplomatic mission, waiting for and obtaining a visa, moving to the country, visiting AIMA and issuing a residence card. The residence card is issued for a period of up to 12 months, in special cases – up to 2 years. In case of re-issuance of the residence card is valid for 2 or 3 years, which depends on the basis.

The cost of obtaining residence in the country includes state duty, notary, interpreter and migration specialists’ services. In addition, there are expenses for visiting the authorized bodies, organization of relocation and living in Europe. The basic values of administrative fees, current as of 2024, are presented in the table below.

Refusal and revocation of the status

Residency in Portugal is not granted if at least one of the requirements for the applicant is not met. The applications of those who have previously had a criminal record, violated the migration legislation of the Schengen zone countries, including those who have been banned from entering Portugal, are rejected. Requests are refused if the foreigner is considered to pose a threat to public order, national security or public health. Often a residence permit is not granted because the dossier is not properly completed, e.g., if one of the required documents is not translated.

A residence permit may be revoked if the holder is forcibly deported from the country, for example because of violations of Portuguese law. The residence card is revoked if it is found that forged documents or false information about the applicant was used for its issuance. The residence permit may be terminated for reasons of public order or security. Also, the residence permit is revoked if a foreigner leaves the state for more than six months in a row or for 8 months in total for the entire period of validity of the document.

It is possible to avoid mistakes in the immigration procedure with the step-by-step support of Relocation Compass international law specialists. Specialized lawyers undertake the collection and execution of documents, organization of visits to the authorities and support during the submission of the file, which allows you to successfully legalize in Europe.

How to obtain permanent residence and citizenship in Portugal

After 5 years of continuous legal residence in Portugal, one can claim the status of permanent resident. Permanent residence is granted to those who have no criminal record in the territory of the state, demonstrate financial security, have housing in the state (purchased or rented), comply with tax and social obligations, as well as know the Portuguese language. The applicant must pay an administrative fee and undergo a photographic procedure.

It is also possible to apply for citizenship of the Portuguese Republic 5 years after the move. The main thing is to meet the accompanying conditions, including language skills and a regular income. Repatriation is an alternative to the lengthy and expensive naturalization procedure. This is a simplified way to obtain an EU passport without prior residence permit and language skills. In this case, EU citizens can reside in any of the states of the union, including Portugal. They also have the right to visit 170+ countries without a visa. You can get detailed information at a free consultation with specialized lawyers at Relocation Compass.