Residency requirements for property buyers in Portugal

Buying a property in Portugal does not grant you automatic right to residency. Then again, you don’t need to be a resident to buy a property in Portugal either. However, having somewhere to live is an essential part of the residency application.

There are a range of visas leading to residency in Portugal, falling into two main types: temporary and permanent. It’s important that you know which pathway is right for you. This is usually based on what you intend to do in Portugal – retire, work, run a business etc.

The visa process in Portugal

As a non-EU citizen looking to relocate permanently, you will need a long-term visa to live in Portugal. This is also known as a residence permit. For most British, American and other non-European Union nationals looking to retire to Portugal, this is the essential first step to securing permanent residency.

There are two phases to the residency process in Portugal. That is:

1. Visa application
2. Residency permit application

The first phase is completed in your home country. You submit a visa application and attend an in-person appointment at your local Portuguese consulate or embassy. You will be required to bring essential documents and the application form.

For UK residents, this can be done at the Portuguese embassy or consulate in Edinburgh or London.

So, for example if you’re from the USA but are currently living in the UK and applying for Portuguese residency, you would have to return to the US to apply for the visa at your local Portuguese consulate.

The second phase is done when you get to Portugal. You usually have four months to “validate” your visa. Once settled, you must schedule an appointment with Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) for your residency permit. You will be asked to attend an interview, bring your essential documents and they will review your application.

If approved, you’ll leave the appointment with the relevant residency permit to your visa type.

Figure 1- An overview of the residency process in Portugal. (Portugal Property Guides)

Visa requirements

To be eligible for most Portuguese visas, you need to meet the following requirements:

• Be a non-EU citizen.
• Have sufficient funds or passive income to support yourself, if applying for the D7 visa.
• Have health insurance.
• Have a clean criminal record.
• Show proof of accommodation in Portugal.

Documents to produce include:

• Proof of residence, such as a copy of your title deeds or rental agreement.
• Your NIF number (Numero de Indentificacao Fiscal), which is your Portuguese tax number. Your lawyer will be able to assist you in acquiring one.
• Your passport, valid for three months after the duration of your stay
• A certificate from a bank to show you have sufficient funds to support yourself in Portugal for the duration of your stay
• Medical insurance and for the first year you may have to go private.
• Official visa application form (make sure you have the right one)

Please note: Some visas require additional documentation. For example, if applying for the D2, you must be able to show you have opened a business bank account in Portugal, established a Portuguese Limited Company (LDA), hired an accountant proficient in Portuguese tax laws and have sufficient investment declaration and financial resources.

For more insight into specific visa requirements, read our residency & visa page.