Immigrate to Portugal from Iran

Individuals who immigrate to Portugal from Iran can follow this short guide on the main issues they should take into consideration. 

Our Portugal immigration specialists can assist individuals interested in relocating to this country as soon as they have made the decision to apply for a type of visa. We can help with additional information on the general requirements and, after a case evaluation, can provide details on the special requirements that may be necessary. By working with our team, individuals can make sure that their submissions to the Portuguese Embassy in Iran, located in Tehran. 

It is important to understand the application procedure since the Visa Centre in Tehran will deal with Schengen Visa requests, but not with study and residence visas. This is why the help of our team can be important for a smooth and hassle-free process.  

Types of visas for Portugal

Individuals who wish to move to Portugal from Iran have a number of options when it comes to the reason for the long stay in the country:

1. The business visa: the startup visa is offered to those entrepreneurs interested in opening a company in Portugal.
2. The employment visa: for individuals employed by a Portuguese company, as well as for self-employed individuals.
3. The family visa: this is awarded for family reunification purposes, to the spouse of the underage children, as well as children who are of age and are eligible. 
4. The study visa: for higher education students admitted into a Portuguese University or those attending qualification courses or professional courses.

The study visa also covers researchers who are part of a mobility program, trainees, as well as volunteers who come to Portugal.

Iranian nationals can temporarily reside in Portugal based on a visa for digital nomads. This allows the holder to remain in the country and continue his or her professional activity remotely as long as a minimum monthly income is ensured. The nomad visa in Portugal is not the same as the visa for passive income, and our team can give you more details about the differences.

The residence permit in Portugal for employed individuals (that also includes a residence visa) is perhaps one of the most common ways in which individuals can immigrate to Portugal from Iran. The applicant or his legal representative at the regional directorate or delegation in Iran submits the application for residence in person. From there, it is forwarded as needed. The application documents include the following:

• Recent photographs: two identical ones are required, in which the individual can be easily identified.
• Valid ID: a valid passport or any other valid travel document is needed for this application.
• Employment contract: the applicant must present the employment contract signed with the employer, as per the laws in force.
• Criminal record: this is a permission granted for the purpose of checking the criminal record.
• Means of staying in the country: proof of sufficient means of subsistence as well as proof of accommodation.
• Supporting documents: additional information showing the registration with the tax authorities and for the payment of social security. 

Understandably, other types of resident permit applications will include supporting documentation for their specific purpose. For example, the permit for investors will include information about the type and the value of the investment.

Foreign nationals who are already in the country, living permanently with a residence permit, can, after some time, apply for Portugal citizenship. Our team can provide details on how to obtain citizenship by investment in Portugal.

General details about Portugal immigration

Iranian immigrants can find various opportunities in Portugal related to employment or study that will encourage them to apply for a long-term visa. Alternatively, Iranians who are already living in the country can commence the process related to family reunification.

The Golden Visa is no longer available in Portugal, meaning that those who wish to immigrate to Portugal from Iran may now do so based on investments other than real estate. Investments are still accepted, and residency can be granted as a result thereof, however, their scope was limited to those in research and development, certain art or reconstruction investments, or significant capital investments.

An immigration lawyer in Portugal from our team can assist all individuals who are looking for more information on how to apply for the appropriate type of visa, how to fill in the standard forms, and what the general fees are according to their type of application.

Once you determine the right type of residence permit that you will be applying for, some of the issues we can recommend taking into account are summarized below by our immigration lawyer in Portugal:

• Accommodation: if you relocate to Portugal from Iran, you will have to find a suitable rental option that will be within budget and in the area in which you plan to live;
• Taxation: once you start to derive income from Portugal, you will be taxed according to the local rules (see below for more details);
• Healthcare: if you move to Portugal from Iran, public healthcare will be available to you. However, many expats do consider taking up private healthcare insurance;
• Arrangements for children: if you immigrate to Portugal from Iran and your minor children will join you, you will have to enrol them in public or private schooling;
• Others: included in this category are making different arrangements for service agreements and having your foreign-issued driver’s license replaced with a Portuguese one (according to the law).

If you derive income as an Iranian employee in Portugal, you will be subject to progressive personal income tax rates on your yearly income. Some examples are offered below by our experts in Portugal immigration:

• 13% for the income bracket up to EUR 8,059;
• 16.5% for income over EUR 8,059 and up to EUR 12,610;
• 25% for income over EUR 17,233 but below 22,306;
• 48% (the maximum rate) for income of over 83,696.

Permanent residence and citizenship in Portugal

Foreign nationals who are already in the country, living permanently with a residence permit, can apply for Portuguese citizenship. Some of the criteria include the following: 

• The minimum number of years one needs to lawfully spend in the country before he/she can apply is five years;
• The applicant will also need to show proof of sufficient income, as well as sufficient Portuguese language knowledge, among other criteria;
• Some of the costs associated with obtaining Portuguese nationality include the EUR 250 application fee. To these, applicants should be prepared to include any legal fees, costs for preparing documents, and others.

Part of the essential documents submitted by those who will apply for Portuguese nationality as part of their plan to immigrate to Portugal from Iran include the following:

• The filled-in application form (in Portuguese);
• Certified signature (certification offered by the consular authorities);
• Birth certificate (also certified by the consular authorities);
• Criminal record.

All documents that are not issued in Portuguese are to be translated in the case of those who relocate to Portugal from Iran.

The application form and the required documents are submitted to the Central Registry Office (Conservatória dos Registos Centrais). Our team can assist you if you wish to apply for citizenship by naturalization by making sure that you prepare all the required documents and submit them in the form approved by the authorities.

If you want to move to Portugal from Iran, we can provide complete services pre-arrival as well as post-arrival services related to permanent residence permits, acquiring the long-term resident status, and applying for citizenshipthrough naturalization.

Gaining citizenship can be an important step for those who immigrate to Portugal from Iran, and it can be planned for accordingly, so that the applicant starts the process as soon as the five minimum residency years are completed.

By working with our team that specializes in immigration to Portugal, both for your first residence permit submission and on your citizenship application, you maximize your chances of having your application approved by the authorities.

If you are not an Iranian citizen and would like to know more about how to relocate to the country and the conditions to obtain a residence permit in Portugal for your situation, you can reach out to our team of experts. We provide guidance and assistance to foreign nationals, both EU and non-EU citizens. You can reach out to us as soon as you decide to relocate to Portugal.

Contact us for complete information about the services we provide and for customized services if you are looking to immigrate to Portugal from Iran.