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Do you have income from property, creative work or investments available in Portugal?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Portugal
Once granted a residence permit, holders can live in Portugal and re-enter without a Portuguese entry visa while it is valid.
The permit is normally valid for two years and can be renewed for periods of three years at a time.
Study in Portugal
Holders can study in Portugal under the usual rules for residents and schools.
They also have equal-treatment protection when seeking recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications.
Work in Portugal
Holders can work in Portugal under the usual employment rules and have equal-treatment protection for joining unions.
People who start work must follow the rules for tax and Social Security registration.
Visit Schengen countries
Holders can visit other Schengen countries, generally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
They need a valid passport or travel document and should carry their residence card.
Pursue permanent residence
After five years of temporary residence, holders can apply for permanent residence, including if they have met their tax and Social Security obligations.
People over 18 or legally emancipated may also apply for citizenship after five years of legal residence, with enough Portuguese and no disqualifying criminal or security grounds.
Neither is automatic.
Bring your siblings
Your minor siblings can apply to join you in Portugal, whatever their citizenship, if they are in your care under a guardianship decision recognised in Portugal.
A family residence permit normally follows yours in length and requires proof of the relationship, housing and means.
Vote in local elections
Some holders can register to vote in local elections, depending on their citizenship, agreements between countries and how long they have lived in Portugal.
Some must have lived in Portugal for three years, while some people have separate possibilities through an equal-political-rights status.
Use public healthcare
A residence permit helps holders register for public healthcare in Portugal.
Access and charges depend on registration, identification, tax and Social Security records, and healthcare rules.
Access social support
Residents have equal-treatment protection for Social Security, tax benefits and goods and services available to the public.
Payments for sickness, unemployment, parenthood, disability or retirement normally depend on coverage, contributions and other conditions.
How to apply
From outside PortugalFrom outside Portugal
Find your consulate
Find the Portuguese consulate or authorised visa centre responsible for the country where you legally live. If you are legally present in another country, you can apply at the consulate there if it accepts your application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Portuguese consulate or authorised visa centre covers your city for a residence visa for pensioners, religious persons and people living on income?”
Download the application form
Download the national visa application form for your residence visa.
Download the formFill in the application form
Fill in and sign the national visa application form. If you are a minor or legally unable to sign, your legal guardian signs it.
Get form helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Portugal national visa application form for a residence visa for pensioners, religious persons and people living on income?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the visa and residence permit applications.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Follow the booking instructions from your consulate or its authorised visa centre.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment in your city for a Portugal residence visa for pensioners, religious persons and people living on income?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your signed form, passport and required documents to the consulate or authorised visa centre, and provide your fingerprints and other biometric information as requested. Pay the visa fee when you apply, using the payment method the office tells you to use.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit and pay for a Portugal residence visa for pensioners, religious persons and people living on income in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the consulate or visa centre to tell you the decision, and answer any requests for more information or documents. You can also ask the office that received your application how to follow its progress.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow my Portugal residence visa application for pensioners, religious persons and people living on income in your city?”
Enter Portugal
Once your visa is issued, use it to enter Portugal. You must request your residence permit within the visa’s four-month validity period.
Find entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Portugal with a residence visa for pensioners, religious persons and people living on income?”
Once in PortugalOnce in Portugal
Download the permit form
Download the residence permit application form from Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, known as AIMA.
Download the formFill in the permit form
Fill in and sign the AIMA residence permit application form.
Get form helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Portugal AIMA residence permit application form for someone with a residence visa?”
Book your permit appointment
Use the appointment link provided with your visa. If you did not receive one, use AIMA’s contact form after arriving and select “Autorização de Residência”, then “Autorização de residência com visto consular (Não CPLP)”.
Find appointment bookingSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Portugal AIMA residence permit appointment with a residence visa?”
Attend your permit appointment
Bring your signed form and required documents to your AIMA appointment and hand in your residence permit application. This is how you request permission to live in Portugal after entering with your visa.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Portugal AIMA residence permit application with a residence visa at an appointment?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Proof of family ties *
Bring records showing your family ties where these are relevant to your application. Check which records AIMA accepts for your situation.
* Only if you apply for a residence permit and need to show family ties.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Renewal and records
Holders must report relevant changes and keep their residence and address records current.
They must renew their permit in time and continue to meet its conditions, including applicable tax and Social Security obligations.
Residence can be lost
A permit can be cancelled for excessive time abroad, though exceptions apply.
Fraud, false information, serious crime or public-order concerns, or no longer meeting the conditions can lead to cancellation or refusal to renew.
It can also end through removal or expulsion, expiry without renewal or a legal extension, or other legal grounds.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Algarve Expats, Portugal
English Facebook group for people living in Portugal interested in Portuguese visas
Join on FacebookMoving to Portugal- D7 & D8- Living and Retiring
English Facebook group for people living in Portugal interested in Portuguese visas
Join on FacebookMove to Portugal D7 Visa
English Facebook group for people living in Portugal interested in Portuguese visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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