Portugal Residence Permit

Foreign nationals who wants to live, work or study in Portugal needs a Portugal residency permit in order to live somewhere other than their current country of residence.

Because of this, Portugal only allows indigenes from EEA, EU and Swiss to visit the country and stay without visa for up to 3 months.

While citizens from third-world countries needs to get a residency, permit to stay in Portugal for more than 6months.

However, the process for applying for the permit might be a bit complicated. That is why we have put up this blog post to help you with a systematic guide on how you can apply.

About Portugal

Portugal is a country located in the Iberian Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean. The country has a population of 10 million people and an area of 202,500 square kilometers, making it the ninth-largest country in Europe.

In addition, the Portuguese are known for their relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, wine production, and sophisticated culture.

The country has a rich cultural heritage, including contributions to literature, music, and art. Portugal is also known for its wines and seafood.

Tourism is the mainstay of the Portuguese economy, and Portugal is a popular destination for visitors from around the world.

Portugal resident permit is an official paper that you need to get if you want to stay in Portuguese for more than six months.

Furthermore, the residence permit can be renewable annually if the foreigner still meets all the required conditions.

The permit is for nationals of third-world countries. However, citizens or individuals staying in Portugal can also use this to bring their relatives to the country.

In addition, International students who wants to study at a Portuguese higher institution are eligible for a residence permit. The permit has a 365 days validity period and can be extended.

Depending on the type of residency permit for which you are eligible. Residence permits might be either temporary or permanent.

Because of this, Portugal has provided several choices for residence permits. The most often submitted applications to Portugal embassies or consulates are the following:

Portugal residence permit for students.
Residence permit for employment purposes.
Special residence permit.
Residence permit for family reunification.

Cost of Portugal residence permit

The cost of Portugal residence permit mainly depends on your age. By that, we mean if you are a grown adult or a child under the age of six.

Thus for adult, you will pay approximately €84 to get a Portugal residence permit. While children under the age of six must pay €43 for a permit.

Who needs a Portugal residence permit?

Of course, not every national needs a Portugal residence permit. Primarily, all citizens of third countries must apply for residence permit to stay in Portugal.

Generally speaking, Non-EEA or non-Swiss nationals are regarded as third-country nationals in Portugal.

In general, you will need a Portugal Permit if you are a national of third-world country who wish to remain in Portugal for more than 90 days.

What are the relevant documents for obtaining a Portugal residence permit?

The requirements to apply for a residence permit may vary depending on your nationality and kind of visa. Nevertheless, the majority of documents are the same.

To apply for an Ireland residence permit, applicants must have the following documents available:

A valid and signed passport: It must be valid for at least three months from the date you leave Portugal or the Schengen Area.
Valid residence visa: You must have a valid residence visa, which must be 3-4 month old before you apply for your permit.
A recent passport-size pictures(with white background), in line with Schengen requirements.
Travel health insurance: Every foreign national travelling to Ireland must provide evidence of health insurance e.g. emergency medical needs, accident or illness.
Portugal permit Fee: You must provide proof that you have paid the Portugal permit fee.
Cover letter: It must include your reason for traveling, your arrival and departure dates, whether you will visit another Schengen country, your planned activities, and so forth.
Proof of sufficient funds: You must be able to demonstrate that you can financially support yourself for the duration of your trip.
Proof of lodging in Portugal: This might be a hotel reservation or an invitation letter (if you are visiting friends or relatives).
Others include; Letter of Acceptance letter from a Portuguese University, receipts of paid tuition fees, Employment contract and family certificates.

How to apply for Portugal residence permit

There are various residency permits available in Portugal for applicants and their families. Permits to stay are always issued with a specific intent in mind, such as employment or academic study.

Here are the steps to apply for a Portugal residence permit:

Step 1: Apply for a Portuguese residency visa

Before you can apply for a Portugal residence permit, you must apply for a Portuguese residency visa, which allows you to enter Portugal for obtaining a residence permit.

However, this residency visa is valid for 4 months and it allows for double entry into Portugal.

In lieu, you must submit your residency visa application at any Portugal embassy or consulate in your country.

Before you do so, you must have an appointment with the embassy or consulate. However, you can either forward an email or visit the embassy to schedule an appointment.

It is important you get the necessary documents, most especially the residence visa application form . Note that you may be asked to sit for an interview at the embassy.

In case you want to apply for a residence permit on the basis of employment or reunification, your employer and a family member must submit an initial application at the Portuguese Labor Authorities on your behalf.

Step 2: Apply for the residence permit

Generally, once you have a Portuguese residency visa, you can freely move in and out of Portugal and also apply for your residency permit.

Most importantly, you have to apply at SEF for your residence permit and register for your social security number at a registration office at Portugal.

Do not forget that you have only four months before your residency visa expire. However, you must visit SEF and the registration office before then.

Step 3: Wait for a response

After you have submitted your resident permit application, you need to wait a bit for it to be processed.

Usually, it takes around 5 to 10 working days for the Portugal residence permit to be processed. Once this is done, you will be notified.

Is the Portugal temporary residence permit renewable?

You can renew your resident permit. Nevertheless, your residential status will determine the documents for the renewal. In that case, if you are:

Working in Portugal is on a host of agreements; you will submit documents according to the contract.
Studying in Portugal, you will need to submit certain documents about your study. They include:

Valid national identity card
Proof of financial sustenance
New registration of your institution
Standard form for your school’s study progress
Your grade transcript
Proof of health insurance

If you are living in Portugal through family reunification, you will bring documents such as proof of financial sustenance, health insurance, police clearance certificate, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Portugal easy to immigrate to?

The Portuguese government has made it easier to immigrate to Portugal in recent years, making it one of the easiest countries in the world to immigrate to.

However, Portugal is a culturally rich country with a welcoming attitude towards immigrants. It is also a democracy, which makes it a great place to live and raise a family.

Can I travel with a Portugal residence permit?

Portugal permits holders can travel to any country within the European Union (EU) and Switzerland without a visa, if they have a valid Portugal residence permit.

However, non-EU citizens must first obtain a visa from their respective embassies or consulate before traveling to Portugal.

Does Portuguese speak English?

Portuguese is the official language of Portugal, but English is also spoken by a large percentage of the population.

However, Portuguese and English are similar languages, with many words being interchangeable.

How much does it cost to get residency in Portugal?

In order to become a resident of Portugal, you will need to have a valid passport, proof of income, and a health insurance card.

However, the price of residency can vary depending on your nationality and the type of residency you are applying for.

How long do you have to live in Portugal to become a resident?

To become a Portuguese citizen, you must have been living in Portugal for at least five years and have a valid residence visa.

How much money do you need to immigrate to Portugal?

The cost of living in Portugal is also relatively low, making it possible to live quite comfortably on a modest income.

In order to immigrate to Portugal, you will need at least €40,000 in your bank account to cover the initial costs of moving and setting up residence.

What are the benefits of Portuguese residency?

Portugal offers a number of benefits for those who wish to reside there.

These benefits includes Easy access to European Union and international organizations, low cost of living, a vibrant culture and interesting landscapes.

Additionally, Portuguese residency also provides residents with the right to vote in national elections, access to social services and protection from natural disasters.

Is Portugal safe?

Portugal is a safe country to travel to, with low crime rates and a strong police force.

However, visitors should always be aware of their surroundings and take sensible precautions when travelling.

Conclusion

It would be best if you had a Portugal residence permit to live, work and study in the country. However, you should understand the type of permit you need at each point so that you can fit in perfectly.

Portugal Residence Permit – Eligibility, Requirements and Application

About Portugal