Simple Immigration Solution

Many European delights await you in Portugal, from the picturesque beaches to the vibrant cities and breathtaking landscapes. It also has one of the lowest living costs in Europe, making it a popular destination for expats.
Additionally, you can expect free healthcare and quality education, and you will enjoy the same right as other EU nationals if you move there longer.
You can get a head start on living in Portugal with this moving to Portugal guide.
1. Quick Facts About Portugal
Some quick facts about Portugal are:

2. Do I Need to Apply for a Visa to Move to Portugal?
Whether you need a Portugal visa depends on your country of residence as explained below:
• An EU/EEA citizen. As a citizen of the EU/EEA countries, you do not need to apply for a visa to enter the country. You can move there with only a valid passport or another travel document.
• A non-EU/EEA citizen. As a citizen of the non-EU/EEA, you must apply for a Portugal visa to move there for more than three months.
3. Moving to Portugal as an EU/EEA Citizen
You do not need to obtain a visa to move to Portugal as a national from one of the EU/EEA countries. However, you must apply for a registration certificate to stay longer than three months. The application for the certificate takes place at the local Council, and you must do it within 30 days of the first three months in Portugal. The registration certificate is five years from the issuance date.
In addition, you also have to comply with at least one of the following conditions:
– Be employed or self-employed in Portugal.
– Have sufficient resources to support yourself and your family members.
– You are enrolled in an accredited private or public educational institution and can support yourself financially.
4. Moving to Portugal as a non-EU Citizen
Moving to Portugal as a citizen of a non-EU country acquires that you apply for a national (long-term) visa. These visas are usually valid for over a year and lead to residency in Portugal.
Furthermore, to legally stay longer than three months in the country, you must apply for a residence permit at the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – SEF) and register your social security number at a registration office.
You can move to Portugal for over three months by choosing one of the following ways:
– To work.
– To study.
– To join a family member.
– To retire.
Moving to Portugal for Work
To move to Portugal to work, you must obtain a work visa at the nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate. At the same time, your employer in Portugal has to apply for a Work Permit (Autorização de Trabalho) at the Portuguese Labor Authorities or the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – SEF) on your behalf.
After arriving in Portugal, you must apply for a residence permit at SEF, register for social security, and get a tax number at the Social Security office.
The residence permit allows you to live and work in Portugal for one to two years with the possibility of renewing. After five years, you can apply for permanent residency.
Moreover, if you want to work remotely in Portugal, you must hold a Portugal D7 Visa.
Moving to Portugal to Study
Once you are accepted into a Portuguese higher education institution, you must apply for a student visa to pursue your studies there. Following the issuance of your visa by the Portuguese embassy, you will need to apply for a residence permit at Portuguese Labor Authorities or the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – SEF) after entering Portugal. A student’s residence permit lasts one year; you can renew it annually during your studies.
Regardless, during your time as a student in Portugal, your stay will not count towards your permanent residency. To be eligible for permanent residency, you must switch to a work visa which is valid for a year and can be renewed for five years.
Moving to Portugal for Family Reunification
To join your family members in Portugal, they must be residence permit holders or citizens of Portugal. Whereas you must apply for a family visa and be an immediate family member. You are considered an immediate family member when you are:
– A spouse or registered partner.
– A minor child.
– Any child under the care of the applicant.
– A dependent adult child.
– A dependent first-degree relative.
– A minor sibling under the legal custody of the resident.
In addition, before you apply for a family visa at a local Portuguese embassy, your sponsor needs to apply initially at the Portuguese Labor Authorities or the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service- SEF on your behalf. Finally, to obtain your long-term residence permit in Portugal, you must register as a resident of Portugal at SEF once you enter Portugal.
The validity of the family visa is as long as the duration of the sponsor’s residence permit. The initial validity usually is for two years and can be extended every three years.
Moving to Portugal for Retirement
As a third-country national, you must apply for a visa to move to Portugal for retirement. Portugal offers two routes for you:
– The Retirement Visa. The retirement visa is for you who want to live in Portugal without working. Still, you can support yourself financially with pensions, savings, etc. Upon entering Portugal, you must make an appointment with Portuguese Labor Authorities or the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service-SEF and apply for a residence permit. Your residency permit for retirement in Portugal is initially valid for one year. You can renew it twice, each time for two years – in total your permit has a validity period of five years. After five years and meeting all other requirements, you can apply for permanent residency in Portugal.
– The Golden Visa. The Golden Visa is a type of investment program which grants Portuguese citizenship to those who invest in the country. The most common investment is purchasing a property in Portugal worth at least €500,000. The residence permit you receive when applying for a Golden Visa is initially valid for one year. You can also apply for renewal, and you will get a permit that lasts for two years. Then after five years, you can apply for permanent residency.
5. How to Become a Permanent Resident in Portugal?
First, you must hold a temporary residence permit to become a permanent resident in Portugal. The temporary residence permit is valid for a year and can be renewed for up to five years. Then after five years of temporary residency, you can switch to a permanent residence permit. Permanent residency is only for those who wish to stay indefinitely in Portugal.
6. Can I Win Citizenship in Portugal?
You can win Portuguese citizenship. You must be a legal resident for five years before applying for citizenship. You can also win citizenship through other routes:
– By marriage or legal partnership.
– By descent (parents or grandparents).
– Via Portugal’s former colonies.
– By Sephardic Jewish colonies.
– By birth.
– By adoption (applicable to those under 18s).
7. Does Portugal Allow Dual Citizenship?
Yes, Portugal allows dual citizenship. However, you should check if your original country allows it before obtaining a second citizenship. As long as it does, you can move forward with Portugal.