Once you make up your mind to migrate to Europe, your next mystery to be solved is how to live permanently in Portugal.
Since a lot of people are seeking a luxurious and peaceful lifestyle in Europe, Portugal is the center of attraction for those. Everyone is aspiring to get a permanent residence in this country because it makes a combination of all those things that attract you towards Europe.
You can enjoy the charm of natural beauty of Portugal at very less prices as compared to those of living in Europe. In fact, when people compare the lifestyle in Portugal with its prices in other states of Europe, the very first question they ask is “How to live permanently in Portugal?”
If you too are wondering how to live permanently in Portugal, you can seek guidance about it from this article. Here, you can discover the basic information about your travel and how to live permanently in Portugal.
What is permanent residency in Portugal?
Before you start the analysis about how to live permanently in Portugal, you must have a know-how about what permanent residency in Portugal actually means. If you hold the prestige of permanent residence in Portugal, you can enjoy almost all the facilities and rights of equal level to those who hold citizenship in Portugal.
As a permanent resident of Portugal, you will have some exceptional rights, such as you would be able to participate in elections and hold public office, as well as you will have a Portuguese passport.
If you want to be able to apply for permanent residency in Portugal, you must have been living in Portugal for at least five years and after spending five continuous years living in this country, you can start the procedure of your application.
If you have any doubts or are not sure whether you qualify to apply for permanent residency in Portugal, there is a simple solution; be in contact with professional and renowned legal advisors. They will evaluate your situation and assist you in ascertaining if you fulfill all the prerequisites.
How to Live Permanently in Portugal?
If you want to maintain your status well in society, you have the option to live in Portugal. You can live, work, and do business in Portugal if you have a permanent residence there. Yet, the question is still there; how to live permanently in Portugal?
You might be able to apply to live permanently in Portugal if you have been living there for at least 5 years. There are different requirements that you have to fulfill to be eligible for permanent residence in Portugal.
You can also acquire permanent residency in Portugal through investment. If you are interested in venturing down this way, then obviously you must apply for the Portuguese Golden Visa.
Now, let’s get started exploring how to live permanently in Portugal via diverse routes.
Routes to Portuguese Permanent Residency
There are multiple routes that determine how to live permanently in Portugal. It is already mentioned that if you are a foreign national, then you must have held a temporary residence visa and resided in Portugal for at least five years. It is the way that brings the possibility of getting permanent residency in Portugal.
It would be a simple and straightforward process of obtaining a permit for temporary residence in Portugal if you have a nationality of Europe or Switzerland. You have freedom to enter Portugal without the need for a visa and do not have to fulfill any special conditions in order to settle there.
All you have to do is inform the local municipality office that you plan to stay in Portugal for more than ninety days. After that, you will receive a certificate of temporary residency for five years from immigration officials.
Once you complete your temporary residence of five years there, you are eligible to apply for permanent residency in Portugal. This is how to live permanently in Portugal if you are a national of Europe/EEA or Switzerland.
How to live permanently in Portugal if you are not a national of Europe or EEA? Then, you must apply for a long-term visa before traveling there. You will have a variety of options available according to your unique situation.
These options are the following:
Family Reunification
If you are a dependent family member or spouse of someone who has residency in Portugal, then you might be able to join them through family reunification.
Employment
Yes, employment is also a solution to how to live permanently in Portugal. If you have received a job offer in Portugal, you might be eligible to get a Work Visa or a Startup Visa. In the case of Startup Visa, your business must be innovative and have the potential to create employment opportunities in Portugal.
Retirement
Retirement Visa is also the way how to live permanently in Portugal. If you have enough financial resources and private health insurance, you might be able to get a Retirement Visa. You just have to give surety that you are self-dependant to live in Portugal. This is how to live permanently in Portugal after retirement.
Study
If you are aspiring to pursue your higher studies in Portugal, you must definitely not worry about how to live permanently in Portugal. The thing you have to do is to get an acceptance letter from an educational institute of Portugal.
Once you get accepted to a Portuguese university, you can come to Portugal on a Student Visa. After completing your studies, you can find employment and then switch your current Visa to a Work Visa
Investment
If you are planning to make an investment in Portugal, you could obtain the Golden Visa.
If you are not a national of Europe/ EEA and are entering Portugal on a long-term visa, you need to make an appointment with the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (SEF).
The residency permit can be extended for a maximum of two years beyond its initial one-year expiration date. You are eligible to seek permanent residency after five years of staying in Portugal under a temporary residence permit.
What are the eligibility requirements for Portuguese permanent residency through investment?
Portuguese Golden Visas, also called D9 Visas, may be available to non-EEA investors who meet certain requirements. The basic requirements are that you must be at least eighteen years old, not have a criminal record, and have enough money to invest in Portugal.
As a foreign national, you may invest in a variety of ways, but you are supposed to add a positive and productive contribution to the economy of Portugal.
Investment options that non-EEA citizens can make to obtain the Golden Visa include:
- Invest in property valued at least €500,000.
- Invest €350,000 on a home that was constructed more than 30 years ago or in an urban renewal area.
- At least €350,000 should be spent on research, or at least €250,000 on the arts.
- A minimum capital transfer of €350,000 must be made in order to incorporate a business with its headquarters located in Portugal.
- In Portugal, at least ten new employees are generated.
- Transfer at least €1 million in capital into Portugal.
Your attorneys can examine the proposed investment you would like to make in Portugal and determine if it meets the requirements for a Golden Visa. Remember that you have to be dedicated to keeping your investment for a minimum of five years, irrespective of the kind you choose to make.
The residency permit card that is initially good for a year is given to those who are successful in obtaining the Golden Visa.
If they continue to make investments in Portugal after that, they will be able to renew their residency visa. They can then apply for permanent residency after residing in Portugal for at least five years.
What documents are required for permanent residency in Portugal?
When you are searching for how to live permanently in Portugal, documents are a must. If you want to apply for permanent residency in Portugal, you must provide the following documents:
- Valid passport
- Two recent photographs
- Proof of having a valid Portuguese visa or temporary residence permit
- Proof of having sufficient income allowing the applicant to live in Portugal
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of having lived in Portugal for at least 5 years
- Proof of having private health insurance
The precise documentation that applicants must submit may differ based on their unique situation and the kind of Portuguese immigration authorization they currently hold.
Attorneys can assist you in gathering all the documentation required to put together an evidence portfolio.
Once you obtain all necessary documentation, candidates may proceed to submit their application for permanent residency. The Portuguese Immigration Service is responsible for issuing permanent residence permits.
What are the benefits of Portuguese permanent residency?
If you are a holder of Portuguese permanent residency, you can enjoy numerous benefits that include:
- They are not required to apply for a visa in order to travel throughout the Schengen Area of Europe.
- Without needing to seek any further permits, they are free to work and study in Portugal.
- They are allowed to travel to Portugal with their families.
- If they lose their job, they are eligible to receive unemployment benefits.
- In Portugal, they have access to healthcare
- If they are able to pass a Portuguese language exam, they may seek Portuguese citizenship.
The moderate temperature of Portugal, low crime rate, abundance of job possibilities, and multicultural atmosphere make it a desirable travel destination for citizens of both EU and non-EEA countries.
You should speak with your legal advisors to get practical guidance about how to live permanently in Portugal. After evaluating your case, they will provide you with comprehensive information on immigration to Portugal.
FAQs
Q1. What is the cost of applying for the Portuguese Golden Visa?
If you meet the requirements of eligibility to apply for the Portuguese Golden Visa, you must pay the following fees:
- €533 for the processing of the visa application
- €5,325 for each family member for issuing the Golden Visa
You must pay an additional 2,663 Euros if you are a holder of the Golden Visa and wish to renew it after the first year.
Q2. Does Portugal allow dual citizenship?
Yes, it does. Dual citizenship is recognized in Portugal, therefore you don’t need to renounce citizenship in your home country for obtaining a citizenship in Portugal.
Q3. How long is the Portuguese Golden Visa valid for?
The Portuguese Golden Visa has a one-year initial validity period and is meant for you if you invest a substantial amount of money in Portugal. You may extend it for an additional two years after the initial year as long as you keep your investment in Portugal intact.
You can apply for citizenship or permanent residence after spending at least five years in Portugal while traveling with a Golden Visa.
