How to apply for a Portugal residence permit

Discover the essential steps and requirements for acquiring a Portuguese residence permit as an expat in this comprehensive guide.

Greta

5 minute read

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Updated on 10 Jul 2023

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Moving

A Portuguese residence permit is required for any non-European national who wants to stay in Portugal for more than a year. Depending on the nature of your residence, your permit will allow you to legally live, study or work in Portugal for a definite period of time.

Find out which residence permit you need, how to apply, what documents you need, and the difference between temporary and permanent residence permits.

Any non-EU citizen who wants to live in Portugal for more than a year needs to apply for a residence visa to enter the country and then apply for a Portuguese residence permit. Your residence permit will allow you to live and work in Portugal legally.

For the first five years, you’ll be eligible for a temporary residence permit specific to the nature of your stay. These temporary permits are usually valid for a year and can be renewed. After living in Portugal for 5 consecutive years, you can apply for a permanent residence card or citizenship if you plan to stay indefinitely.

EU/EEA or Swiss citizens don’t need a residence permit for stays of over 3 months. Instead, they must apply for a registration certificate at the local city hall (Câmara Municipal) and register with the tax authorities.

You can apply for residency in Portugal in various ways: studying, working, family reunification, retiring or investing. The 2 most common types of temporary residence permits in Portugal for non-EU citizens include:

• Residence permit for work purposes
• Residence permit for study purposes

A residence permit for work in Portugal

To qualify for a residence permit for work, you need to secure a job that has been unfilled by an EU national for at least a month. Some of the most common types of residence permits for work include:

• Residence permit for employed workers
• Residence permit for highly qualified workers
• Residence permit for highly qualified activity in certified companies (Tech visa)
• Residence permit for self-employed

To initiate the process, your employer will submit the work permit application to the Portuguese Labor Authorities. After that is approved, you need to apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate in your home country. Upon receiving a residency visa, you can travel to Portugal and apply for a residence permit.

The initial residence permit is typically issued for 2 years but can be extended based on your employment contract and individual needs.

A residence permit for studies in Portugal

Non-EU students accepted by a higher education institute in Portugal can get a temporary student residence permit if the study is longer than a year. This temporary student residence permit allows you to stay in Portugal for 1 year and can be renewed annually for the duration of your study program. If you wish to stay after your studies, you can apply for a job-seeker or work visa.

To apply for a Portuguese residence permit as a non-EU citizen, you need to:

1. Apply for a residence visa from your home country at least 60 days before arrival.
2. Travel to Portugal and apply for a residence permit at the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF). Your visa allows double entry, but you must apply for the permit before the 4-month validity of your residence visa ends.

There’s an extra step for those applying for a family reunion or work visa in Portugal. For instance, your new employer in Portugal will need to obtain a work permit before you can apply for a work visa and residence permit.

Requirements to apply for a residence permit

You need the following documents to apply for a temporary residence permit in Portugal as a Non-EU citizen:

1. Passport: A valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months beyond your intended stay in Portugal.

2. Residence visa: The 3–4 month long visa you used to enter Portugal.

3. Application form: You’ll need to complete and submit the residence permit application form, which can be requested at the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF).

4. Proof of accommodation: You’ll need proof of your accommodation in Portugal, such as a rental agreement. For peace of mind, look for housing on HousingAnywhere, an online rental platform which allows you to book accommodation in advance.

5. Proof of financial means: You’ll need to demonstrate sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay in Portugal. In 2023, this is €760 per month. This can be bank statements, proof of scholarship, work contract, etc.

6. Health insurance: You need proof of health insurance in Portugal, either private or public.

7. Proof of enrollment (if applicable): If you’re applying for a study residence permit, you’ll need proof of enrollment in a recognized educational institution in Portugal.

8. Employment contract (if applicable): If you’re applying for a work residence permit, you’ll need to provide your employment contract.

9. Criminal record: give permission to SEF to access your records, you do not need to apply for it yourself since 2023.

10. Passport-sized photos: You’ll need 2 recently taken coloured passport-sized photographs on a blank background (35 mm X 45 mm).

How long is a temporary residence permit in Portugal?

The temporary residence permit is typically valid for 1 year and renewable for 2 years. You must renew it at least 30 days prior to expiry.

Due to processing delays, the Portuguese government has automatically renewed all temporary residence permits that have expired or are expiring in 2023 until December 31, 2023.

After living in Portugal for at least 5 consecutive years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit or citizenship, which allows you to live in Portugal indefinitely.

To obtain a permanent residence card as a Non-EU citizen, you must meet the following requirements:

• Live in Portugal for at least 5 consecutive years.

• Gather necessary documents. The documents you’ll need include proof of identity, proof of residence, proof of income, and health insurance coverage.

• Schedule an appointment with the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) or the local town hall (Câmara Municipal) for your application submission.

• Attend the appointment, present all the required documents, and submit your application for a permanent residence card.

• Pay the application fee of €222 for a permanent residence permit.

• Wait for the decision. The decision-making process takes up to 90 days.

A Portuguese residence permit allows you to legally reside in the country, access services, and enjoy the benefits and protections afforded to residents.

Among the many benefits of having a Portugal residence permit, you will get free access to:

• Education system
• Job market
• Healthcare
• Visa-free travel to Schengen countries
• Social benefits, such as unemployment
• A flat tax of 20% under Portugal’s tax system for foreigners
• Possibility to bring over family members
• Chance to integrate by applying for permanent residency or citizenship in the future.

Besides benefits, it’s also a requirement for various procedures. With a Portugal residence permit, you can open a local bank account, use public healthcare, and receive a taxpayer identification number (NIF), which is essential when employed.

As you can see, getting a residence permit in Portugal can be easy if you have all the right documents. HousingAnywhere can help with one of the requirements, which is proof of address. You can find homes for rent in Lisbon other cities and book accommodation from trusted landlords before you arrive. This way, you’ll not only have a place to stay but also the document needed for the residence permit.

Please reach out to content@housinganywhere.com if you have any suggestions or inquiries about the content on this page.