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 |
What are the services offered by our immigration lawyers in Portugal?
These are the main services offered by our accredited immigration lawyers:
- 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.
You can watch the following video if you want to move to Portugal:
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.
Which documents are required for obtaining a residence permit in Portugal?
The general requirement for obtaining a residence 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 accommodation in Portugal,
- proof of means of subsistence,
- 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.
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:
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.
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.
How can our immigration lawyers 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.
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.