Portugal is a popular choice among immigrants interested in moving to Europe because of its geography, the quality of life, and the generally positive attitude towards expats. If you would like to immigrate to Portugal from Australia, then our Portuguese immigration lawyers can help you if you are interested in making this change.
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How can Australians immigrate to Portugal?
In order to immigrate from Australia to Portugal, an individual will need to go through a standard process of obtaining a relevant visa. Once this is complete, he can make the arrangements for coming to the country and finding a place to rent or to purchase. Families can also come to Portugal together, and a special type of visa, the family reunification visa, is also in place. Obtaining a residence permit in Portugal for a permanent stay is common.
In Portugal, family reunification is carried out through the AIMA procedure, and for family members outside Portugal, the rules of art. 98. apply. Documents such as the residence permit of the resident in Portugal, the passport of the family member, proof of family ties, proof of housing, means of subsistence, and criminal record are required.
Our team of Portugal immigration specialists answers a set of important questions in this article.
What is the appropriate type of visa for Australians in Portugal?
The suitable visa will depend on the purpose of the stay. For stays longer than 90 days, Australian citizens may apply, depending on the situation, for a visa for paid work, self-employment, remote work (digital nomad), studies, research, internships, family reunification, entrepreneurship/startup, or highly skilled activities. Thus, the following options are available:
- Work: a visa for Australians who will come to Portugal as employees in a Portuguese company; also available for entrepreneurs who will engage in independent work.
- Study or research: a visa that allows students to reside in the country; available for students, high-school students, exchange students, internships, and volunteer work.
- Professional training: a visa for an unpaid internship that also has a component of professional training, as applicable.
- Family reunification: a visa that allows families to reunite in Portugal; special conditions and approvals are needed.
The work visa is a comprehensive type that can be used not only for employment, either in a company or as an independent professional, but also for work as a highly qualified individual or for teaching or professorial activity in a higher education institution. It can also be used for sports activities. Australians can find out more about this type of visa from our immigration lawyer in Portugal.
Australian digital nomads can relocate to Portugal based on a visa for remote work, as long as they qualify for a minimum monthly income (calculated according to the minimum wage). Their professional activity will be offered to their Australian or international clients as they will work remotely from a Portuguese city. Our team can give you more details about the nomad visa for Portugal.
If you are interested in knowing more about your options to apply for a residence permit in Portugal, our team can analyze your particular situation and give you personalized answers.
What are the advantages for investors in Portugal?
Apart from the visas briefly described above, Australians also have the option to obtain a residence permit in Portugal (for stays of 1 year or more) when they decide to invest in the country or when they purchase property of a certain amount.
The “Technology Visa” is an accreditation program for Portuguese companies, through which they can recruit highly qualified non-Schengen professionals more quickly.
The Startup Visa is a residency visa for entrepreneurs who want to create or relocate an innovative/tech-based company in Portugal, with the potential for skilled jobs and scaling.
The company will be registered with the Commercial Register. When moving to Portugal, the startup visa can be an option for Australians.
Apart from these two visas for technological companies or for startups, investors also have the option to acquire property or submit a certain investment amount for the support of a national or private scientific activity, for acquiring investment funds, for the support of artistic production, or for the rehabilitation of national cultural heritage. Real estate investments are also an option.
By Law No. 56/2023, Portugal eliminated new ARI/Golden Visa applications based on certain forms of investment, including previous real estate routes; applications already submitted/pending remain treated separately.
Investors who decide to remain in the country can apply for Portuguese citizenship after a certain period. There is also the option of applying for citizenship by investment in Portugal, and our lawyers can offer more details about this matter.
Portugal offers residency by investment (ARI / popularly known as Golden Visa). After the legal period of residence and if the general conditions set out in the law (Law no. 56/2023) are met, the applicant can subsequently request Portuguese citizenship by naturalization.
What are other issues to take into consideration when moving to Portugal?
When applying for the selected type of visa, Australians will need to prepare certain documents. The list below includes the general documentation, apart from the one that will be specific to the purpose of the visa. These documents include the following:
- the filled-in official form;
- the passport is valid from the estimated return date;
- valid travel insurance;
- criminal record;
- proof of means of subsistence.
One of our immigration lawyers in Portugal can provide individuals with complete information about the Government policies for immigration. We can also offer details to those who are already living in the country and wish to know more about how to obtain Portuguese citizenship.
How can Australians access the Portuguese healthcare system?
Australian citizens moving to Portugal for a longer period and obtaining legal residency can apply to join the Portuguese public healthcare system, known as the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS). After obtaining a residence permit and a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF), residents can register at their local health center to receive an SNS user number and access to medical consultations, public hospitals, and other basic services.
For the initial period of relocation, until the residency formalities are completed, the authorities recommend having valid private health insurance. This is also important when applying for certain types of visas, where proof of insurance may be part of the required documentation. Access to the healthcare system is one of the important advantages for Australian families choosing to settle in Portugal.
If you are interested in knowing more about temporary residency, followed by permanent residency, and ultimately citizenship, please contact our immigration lawyers in Portugal.