IMMIGRATION

We advise Clients on:

• The optional residence permit types available to them
• The residence permit type that best meets their requirements
• The practical implications of the chosen type of residency
• How they will be taxed in Portugal

And we help them with their needs in connection with Portugal residency, including:

• If required, assisting them with obtaining a travel Schengen Visa or a residence visa from the Portuguese Consulate
• Obtaining the necessary Portuguese documents to support the application
• Obtaining taxpayer, social security and national health service identification numbers
• Preparing and submitting the permit applications
• Providing assistance with dealing with any issues that may be raised by the Portuguese authorities
• Assisting with paying the necessary Government fees
• Introducing them to non-legal professionals as they may need​

About Portugal's Residence Permits

About Portugal's Residence Permits EU, EEA and Swiss citizens hold an automatic right to reside in Portugal, but, upon securing accommodation in Portugal, have a legal obligation to register with the Tax Authority (AT) and the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (AIMA), and, subsequently, renew their registration every 5 years with AIMA. Their non-EU/EEA/Swiss dependent family members may apply for a residence card, also renewable every 5 years. 

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens may obtain one of the following temporary residence permits, which, unless otherwise specified, have an initial validity of two years. These permits must then be renewed and will be valid for three years thereafter, until permanent residency or citizenship is granted. Permanent residency or citizenship may be obtained after five years, provided that the applicant passes a basic Portuguese language test or completes a Portuguese language course resulting in an A2 level certificate.

• The residency-by-investment permit, commonly known as a "Golden Visa".
• A permit applied for by the holder of a long-term residence permit issued by another EU member state.
• A permit applied for by a victim of human trafficking.
• A permit applied for by a retiree, a passive income earner or a high net-worth individual (also known informally as a "Passive Income Visa", "Type I Visa" or "D7 Visa").
• The EU Blue Card, which is granted to highly-qualified professionals having a highly-paid contract of employment, except where the applicant already holds a right to reside in Portugal.
• A permit applied for by a qualified minister of an established religion.
• The permit to carry out a professional activity in Portugal as an employee, a researcher, a teacher at a higher education institution or a highly qualified professional.
• The permit to carry out a professional activity as a freelancer or to set up a business as an entrepreneur.
• The so-called “Startup Visa”, which may be applied for by an entrepreneur, or by a group of up to 5 entrepreneurs, intending to develop an entrepreneurial and/or innovative business in Portugal under an agreement with an accredited Portuguese incubator.
• A permit is applied for to study, which is granted for 1 year and renewable annually for the duration of the course of studies.
• A permit is applied for to do a non-remunerated internship or do voluntary work, which is granted for the duration of the relevant programme and is not renewable.
• Various types of permits under the specific condition of Article 122 of the Foreigners Law.

Under most circumstances, dependent family members of a residence permit holder may also apply for a residence permit under the family reunification rules.