If you plan to obtain residency in Portugal, there are a few things that need to be handled before arriving in the country and others that are dealt with after arrival, depending on your particular case. Our immigration lawyers in Portugal can offer you full legal assistance during your relocation.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) (YES/NO) | No |
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) (YES/NO) | Yes, with some exceptions (U.S.A., UK, Canada, Australia, Israel, Singapore, etc.) |
| Types of visas available | Work Study/Research Training, internship, volunteers Family reunification Investment Retirement |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) | 60 days |
| Validity of temporary residence permit | 1 year in most cases |
| Temporary residence permit renewal requirements | Proof of lawful temporary residence, proof of accommodation and income, proof of continued status for the renewed permit type (such as continued investment/real estate ownership for the golden visa) |
| Documents for obtaining a residence permit | Application form, valid passport, recent photographs, proof of accommodation and financial means, permit-specific documents (proof of property purchase, proof of employment or educational institution acceptance letter) |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) | Applications for permanent residency can be submitted after 5 years. The expected processing time is around 60 days |
| Investor Visa availability (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Start-up Visa Scheme availability (YES/NO) | No |
| Sponsorship requirement (YES/NO) | No |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship | 5 years |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Taxation of foreign citizens | Residents are subject to the progressive personal income tax rates (14.5%-48%) A flat rate of 25% applies to non-residents |
| Tax benefits for expats | The non-habitual residents scheme allows foreign nationals access to special tax benefits during their first 10 years in the country, such as a lower, 20% flat tax rate, subject to conditions |
Why is preparation important before moving to Portugal?
The mandatory visas and permits, how your family members can join you as well as how to find a property to rent or buy as soon as possible are issues that need careful consideration when you decide to move to Portugal.
If you are interested in immigrating to Portugal, our expertscan help you prepare the necessary files to be ready for submission to the relevant Portuguese authorities and contact renting or moving companies to make the transition as easy as possible.
If you do not speak the language yet (an ability that will be required later on for the purpose of obtaining residency), our team of Portugal immigration agents can help you in all of the required communications with the authorities or with other agencies or businesses, as needed.
You can watch the following video if you want to move to Portugal:
What are the conditions for moving to Portugal?
The conditions are more permissive for EU nationals compared to those from other countries; however, it is always recommended to consult with an expert, such as an immigration lawyer in Portugal, to find out what the exact requirements are according to your country of origin.
Some of the situations for obtaining residence include the following:
- Working in Portugal: the residence permit can be awarded to employees with or without a residence visa, and for teachers, the self-employed, or highly qualified workers.
- Investing in Portugal: through the ARI (Golden Visa) program, according to the conditions provided by Law No. 56/2023.
- Opening a business in Portugal: the startup visa, for foreign nationals who wish to become entrepreneurs in Portugal and open a new business.
- Studying in Portugal: for those who wish to attend higher education studies, for researchers, as well as for those attending professional qualification courses.
- Family reunification: spouses, minors, first-degree ascendants in the direct line of the resident, or underage siblings can apply for a family reunification visa.
What are the main residency options for work and business in Portugal?
The permits awarded for working in Portugal can be for individuals who have applied for a job and have been accepted, as well as for those who are transferred as a result of an intra-corporate transfer (this permit is awarded for an intra-corporate transferee) or for mobility workers. The administrators or workers in branches opened in a secondary office in an EU state will receive a different permit.
Entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals, as well as employees who enjoy the advantages of remote work, can apply for a nomad visa for Portugal with the help of our team.
The permanent residence permit is awarded after a foreign national has spent five years lawfully living in Portugal and has renewed the residence permit as needed after its expiration date.
Therefore, if you are a foreign citizen, you can also apply for a Residence Permit for Investment (ARI), known as the Golden Visain Portugal, if you make one of the eligible investments permitted under Portuguese law.
Why is the assistance for applying for residence in Portugal important?
If you are interested in immigrating to Portugal and obtaining this type of permit, you should know that the applications for residence permits are managed by AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo), the institution that took over the administrative duties of the formerForeigners and Borders Service ( SEF) in the field of immigration and asylum.
The documents needed for a residence permit for employed workers in Portugal with a residence visa are the following:
- two identical photographs,
- passport,
- valid residence visa,
- evidence of sufficient means of subsistence and evidence of accommodation,
- permission for AIMA to check the criminal record,
- labor contract according to the law in force,
- documents proving that the applicant is registered with the tax authorities and is a regular social security payer.
How does the residency procedure work for transferred workers and investors?
A different type of permit is the one for intra-corporate transferees or the residence permit for workers transfers within the company. For this permit, you should provide evidence of having worked in the company or group of companies for a minimum period of three to twelve months (for managers and specialists) or three to six months (for trainees).
Evidence of having the proper qualifications and professional experience is also required. Moreover, the hosting company is to provide documents that prove that it complies with the Portuguese legislation for remuneration and working conditions.
The scheduling and submission modalities are established by AIMA and may include online platforms, automatic calls, or other administrative procedures updated by the authority. Standard forms, as well as fees, apply when submitting the application.
If you want to apply for a residence permit for investment, you will use the ARI Portal (Autorização de Residência para Investimento), also provided by AIMA.
Please find in the infographic below the main steps for moving to Portugal:
Which documents are required for immigrants?
The general requirement for obtaining a residency permit in Portugal includes the submission of a special set of documents to the Portuguese Immigration agency.
The standard necessary documentation includes the following:
- two recent photographs,
- valid passport,
- valid visa,
- proof of means of subsistence,
- proof of accommodation in Portugal,
- proof of registration with the tax authorities and of registration with social security and health insurance, when needed.
Applicants should remember that each type of residence permit in Portugal also includes additional documents, as per its type.
What services can expatriates in Portugal benefit from?
Part of the services we offer to expats in Portugal are described below:
- Visas and permits: not all foreign nationals who move to Portugal need to obtain a visa, but a work permit will be needed for expats; we can help you find out which ones you need and apply for them.
- Residency: It is a natural process to apply for permanent residency after having lived in the country for a number of years; we can also assist those investors interested in the golden visa program – an easier way to acquire permanent residency.
- Work: You can either look for a job before you relocate to Portugal or after you arrive here; regardless of your case, our agents can help you understand the Labor Law principles.
- Financial and administrative: we can help you obtain the Portuguese NIF (fiscal identification number) and handle a number of other issues, such as opening a bank account, concluding services and rent agreements, and others.
If you want to immigrate to Portugal, our agents can help you with all of these services and others.
Why is it important to collaborate with an immigration lawyer in Portugal?
The role of a Portuguese immigration lawyer is a unique one in the sense that he deals with specialized matters that can be included in a well-defined niche. The role can be both a counseling one and one related to legal representation when their client is involved in litigation concerning immigration matters. However, most of the work performed by these lawyers is out of court, and it has to do with assisting individuals throughout the immigration process in Portugal.
Moving to Portugal and residing here permanently is possible for foreign nationals. This process needs to take place as per the local immigration laws and as per the ones related to lawfully working and residing in the country. While some options for foreign nationals can seem more straightforward, such as those related to investing in Portugal for the purpose of acquiring residency, others will involve third parties, such as the employer.
Who serves as an immigration lawyer in Portugal?
Lawyers are legal professionals who go through a mandatory process of formation and examination. Lawyers in Portugal are required to:
- have a law degree issued by a Portuguese university or a foreign university;
- complete a traineeship: this lasts eighteen months and has two distinct stages;
- pass the Bar exam, which includes a written part and an oral part.
Only those lawyers who are registered with the Bar Association have the ability to practice this profession. The name of the Association in Portuguese is Ordem dos Advogados.
There is no distinction made between lawyers and legal advisers in Portugal. Foreign lawyers can also practice in Portugal; however, they will need to comply with special requirements.
What are the services offered by an immigration lawyer in Portugal?
Immigration and Portugal citizenship services offered by accredited lawyers and legal consultants in Portugal will generally include the following:
- Visa application: a lawyer can answer your questions concerning a visa for traveling to Portugal from selected countries.
- Work permit application: assistance for obtaining the work permit, a step in which the employer is also involved.
- Study permit applications: specialized assistance for foreign nationals, including minors, who are interested in studying in Portugal.
- Family reunification: these matters can be more complex, especially when the family involves minor children and other dependents; the aid of a lawyer can be important.
- Citizenship applications: assistance for acquiring Portuguese citizenship through naturalization and counseling regarding the general compliance requirements.
- Expat services: counseling and assistance for expats who have already moved to Portugal but are in need of specialized legal aid.
How can an immigration lawyer help you move to Portugal?
Having a team of experts as advisors during the immigration process in Portugal can ease the process.
Our team of legal specialists can handle the administrative procedures and help clarify all of the processes for you so that you may move to Portugal with a clear and complete understanding of what is required of you as an expat and the rights that you have.
The new regime for the entry, stay, exit, and removal of foreign nationals from the country intends to simplify the application procedure for residence permits. There are simpler schemes for students who wish to study in the country as well as for highly qualified entrepreneurs who intend to open a business, develop new business models, or invest in technology and innovation.
What is the D7 visa for retirees and passive income earners in Portugal?
The D7 visa in Portugalis intended for non-EU/EEA citizens who can demonstrate stable passive income from pensions, rentals, dividends, investments, or other similar sources. This type of visa is also known as the “Passive Income Visa” and is one of the most popular options for retirees who want to settle in Portugal.
To obtain a residence permit, you must provide proof of sufficient financial resources and residence in Portugal. After obtaining the permit, you will benefit from the legal right to reside in this country, as well as the right to travel within the Schengen area. The residence permit can be renewed, and you, as the holder, may become eligible for permanent residence or Portuguese citizenship.
Our immigration specialists are able to provide complete services for foreign nationals interested in immigration to Portugal, irrespective of their country of origin and the manner in which they aim to obtain residence (through naturalization, marriage, or otherwise).
Please consider contacting our immigration lawyer in Portugal for complete information about the Portuguese immigration rules for EU and non-EU nationals and how you can start the process as soon as you decide to move.