Giovanni F. Says:
How can I get a residence visa in Portugal?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Giovanni,
If you want to reside in Portugal long term, you’ll need to apply for a residence visa, a process that begins in your home country. If you are already an expat living abroad and have legal residency in another country, you can begin the process there. Once issued, the visa stamp will be placed into your passport and is valid for four months, with two entries.
The purpose of this visa is to allow you to legally remain in Portugal until you have your appointment with the government agency responsible for immigration. Previously, this was the Aliens and Borders Office (SEF), but since 2021 it has been the responsibility of the Portuguese Agency for Migration and Asylum (APMS).
In recent years, Portuguese embassies in New York/New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco have partnered with a third-party company called VFS Global to facilitate the visa stamp process. Depending on where you live in the U.S., you will be required to apply at one of these three locations. Although the process begins online, you will at some point be required to show up in person at the VFS office.
Applications should be made no more than 90 days and no less than one month prior to your expected date of departure. Apply through VFS Global (see below), as individuals can no longer apply directly through an embassy or consulate. As of writing, it can take up to eight weeks to receive the four-month residence visa.
Canadians will find the Portuguese Embassy in Ottawa and consulate generals in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
As soon as possible after making your move (within 30 days is best, to avoid any extra fees), schedule an appointment to obtain your temporary residence status that lasts for two years.
If you are willing to pick up conversational Portuguese and prove your linguistic ability, then after five years you can request permanent residency, renewable every five years. Be aware that under most situations, you are required to spend at least 183 days in Portugal each year while holding this temporary residence; failure to do so may jeopardize your ability to re-up when your renewal date comes around.
After five years, you can request a permanent residence certificate (Certificado de Residência Permanente). Also, after five years, if you have fallen in love with your new home country and desire a Portuguese citizenship and passport, you may request it.
You can find more detail about obtaining Portuguese residency in Chapter 5 of our Escape to Portugal manual, available on the IL Bookstore here.
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