Portuguese Residence Permit and Student Visa

Visa Information for Expats in Portugal and Lisbon

Portugal has always been a popular destination for European holidaymakers and retirees. The gorgeous coastline and year-round sunny climate have made the southwest coast of Portugal a favorite retirement haven for British, Germans, and Scandinavians. Similarly, Americans and Canadians have always considered Portugal a second home with investments in the country. Lately, Lisbon and Porto are attracting many digital nomads because of their exciting culture, coupled with a low cost of living. Consequently, in 2019 Portugal saw more than 500,000 new immigrants. After years of high emigration, this is a significant turnaround. Note that you should talk to a legal or visa expert when it comes to visas in any country.

Before coming to Portugal, you need to learn which type of visa is right for you. The type of visa differs according to your nationality, the reason for travel, and length of stay.

For example, if you are an EU passport holder, you are free to enter Portugal, and no visa is required.

If you are from a non-EU country, the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, you can enter Portugal for up to 90 days in any 180 days.

Other non-EU countries that do require a visa are listed here.

Portuguese Residence Permit EU citizens

If you are moving to Portugal intending to stay longer than ninety days, you will need to apply for a residence permit or certificate.

EU citizens wishing to stay in Portugal only need to apply for a Registration Certificate (Certificado de Registo) from the city council where they are living. This formality is to register as a resident for the population register. This certificate is valid for five years. After five years, one may apply for permanent residency (Certificado de Residencia Permanente). This process is done at the Portuguese Immigration Offices known as SEF (Servico de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras).

Portuguese Residence Permit for Non-EU citizens

For Non-EU citizens wishing to stay in Portugal longer than ninety days, it will be necessary to obtain a long-term residence visa. Then they can apply for a residency permit. This application is at the SEF office. After the first year, it is renewed every two years, and after five years, one may apply for a Permanent Residency.

All Non-EU citizens applying for a Permanent Residency permit will have to provide the following:

Valid Residence Visa
Passport
Two passport photos
Proof of sufficient funds
Proof of accommodation such as a contract
Health Insurance
Criminal Record Check
Tax Number and enrolled at Social Security
Proof of uninterrupted residence in Portugal over the preceding five years.
Proof of basic proficiency in Portuguese. A certificate or exam results.

The cost of applying for Permanent residency is between 100-200 euros depending on your circumstances.

The Portuguese Immigration Service SEF deals with all issues related to Non-EU citizens applying for residence. You can visit their website for more information.

Student Visa

If you wish to study in Portugal, you may need a student visa. This depends on your nationality.

If coming from an EU country, you don’t need a visa but you are required to register as a resident if you plan to stay more than ninety days.

If coming from a Non-EU country, you will need a student visa. You will obtain this from the Portuguese embassy in your country before traveling to Portugal. When you arrive, you will also need to apply for a residence permit from SEF.

To apply for a student visa at the embassy in your country, you will need to provide the following:

Acceptance letter from a course at a Portuguese university
Proof of sufficient funds
Passport
Proof of accommodation
Two passport photos
Medical/travel insurance
Receipt for the processing fee
Travel itinerary
A criminal record check may be required

A Portuguese student visa costs 60 euro for a short stay and 90 euros for a long-stay visa.

For more details, go to SEF.

Top Tips

01	When renting a flat, be sure to ask about heating. Portuguese homes are notoriously cold in winter as usually there is no heating. Houses aren’t insulated, and electricity costs are expensive. Therefore, people forgo heating. But be aware, winters are freezing as well as humid. Many ex-pats are surprised at just how severe a Portuguese winter can be.
02	Why not start your day like a local with a café and pastel de nata (traditional custard tart) sitting on an outdoor terrace. What better plaza than Lisbon’s main square Praça do Comércio.
03	Take the Ascensor da Gloria to the top arriving in Bairro Alto. Turn to your right, to find the famous viewpoint of San Pedro de Alcantara. This scenic lookout offers sensational views over the city.
04	Be very vigilant while traveling on the funiculars. Pickpockets are rife, especially in the high season. They will sit close to you, engage in conversation while a partner will take your wallet.

Useful links

https://www.visitlisboa.com/en

The official tourist information site for Lisbon. Find out everything you need to know to make the most of your trip.

https://www.lisbon.net/

Here is another site with information about activities and day trips from Lisbon.

https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/

The official website for Portuguese immigration matters. Find out about visa requirements and how you can gain Portuguese citizenship.

https://www.meetup.com/cities/pt/lisbon/
For information about residence and all immigration-related questions.

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/

Lisbon has a large expatriate community. This a great resource to find like-minded people in Lisbon. Whatever your interest, there is probably a group that meets up.

https://www.metrolisboa.pt/en/

This is the Lisbon Metro website in English. You can plan your journey here.

Interesting Facts

1. Portugal produces 50% of the world’s cork. Portuguese cork from the Algarve region is superior and used by Moet Chandon for bottling its famous champagne. Other famous companies like NASA, Rolls Royce, and Airbus prefer to use Portuguese cork.

2. The book shop, Bertrand, is the oldest in the world and you can visit it in Lisbon. It has been doing business since 1732.

3. Nazaré, a coastal town north of Lisbon is famous for its epic waves. It is well-known among surfers to have some of the best and biggest waves in the world. The waves are known to get as high as 30 meters or 100 feet.

Lisbon

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Visas