Portugal Residence Permit For US Citizens

Residence Permit (Family Reunification)

Those who wish to relocate to Portugal in order to be with a family member who is a citizen or resident of Portugal need to apply for this permit. Family members this permit applies to include a spouse of a registered partner, a child be the adopted or biological, a child of age who is dependent, or a dependent direct descendant.

Applicants applying for this permit will gain residency for the same amount of time as the permit of the Portuguese resident.

If the resident is a partner, and you have been married for five years or longer, then a permit is valid for two-year periods and is then renewable every 3 years after this.

Those who hold these permits can work freely and study freely in Portugal. After five years applicants can then apply for permanent residency.

Special Residence Permits

There are also some situations in which a residence permit can be issued. These situations are unique to the applicant, but there are some common types of situations that may permit the issuing of these permits.

• Residence permits can be granted to those who suffer from health conditions that may require extended medical care.
• Residence permits can be granted for minors who were born in the national territory to foreign partners that hold a residence permit.
• Residence permits are available to individuals who have done military service with the Portuguese Forces.
• Residence permits may be available to those who are of age and were born in the national territory, not leaving, and remaining in Portugal until they were 10 years of age.
• Residence permits for the children of resident permit holders may be available. This is the case if the child has come of age and has been in the national territory for the majority of the time since age 10.

Golden Visa

A golden visa is a permit for residency or citizenship that is gained via an investment program. People who apply for this type of visa can gain easy access to a second passport, or at the very least gain residency in another country, such as Portugal, for family members and themselves.

Golden visas function for wealthy individuals to gain residence permits or citizenship by purchasing property or making large investments/donations, although this is subject to change in the near future.

Every country will have a different option for investment with some starting at $250,000 and some in the millions. The Portugal golden visa program investment options start at €500,000.

As with applications for any legal document, there is documentation that is required when applying for any Portuguese residence permit. Some documents are required in the initial application, others are only required for certain applications.

These are the documents you should have prepared before you apply:

• A valid passport.
• 2 forms of photo ID in line with Portugal’s visa photograph requirements.
• The application form.
• A valid residence visa (refers to the 3 to 4-month period visa prior to applying for a permit).
• Evidence of sufficient finances or documentation proving a monthly regular income.
• Proof of accommodation during your time in Portugal.
• Health Insurance documents/ evidence you are covered by the health service.
• Family certificate/ marriage certificate (If required).
• Criminal certificate.
• Contract of employment.
• Parental consent documentation (If required).
• Acceptance letter from the university for a student visa.
• Paid tuition fees for a student visa.

All documents need to be in English or Portuguese. Some documents may also need legalization as well, so always ensure you check if this is the case prior to applying.

Portuguese Residence permits will cost €84 initially. Be aware that there is a fee to be paid every time you renew the permit as well. The renewal fee will vary depending on the residence permit type.

Aside from the fees to attain residence, the only other requirement is the documentation for the specific type of residency you are applying for.

Here are some of the benefits of being a residence permit holder in Portugal:

• Access without a Visa to the European Union/EEA and the Schengen states.
• Limitless access to the educational system.
• Access to the Portuguese workforce.
• Benefits in the case of unemployment.
• Access to the healthcare system in Portugal.
• The option to become a citizen of Portugal.
• The option to bring family members over to Portugal.

These are the most noted benefits of gaining a Portugal residence permit. That being said, other benefits may be apparent depending on your personal situation.

Portugal residence permits vary in their longevity depending on the type of permit. However, the first permit will typically be valid for 12 months while you live in Portugal. The permit will then need to be renewed on a yearly basis. After the first year, it is common for the permit to be extended to two years.

After a period of five years of temporary residence permits, it is then possible for you to change over to a permanent residency permit.

If you have a residence permit for the purpose of studying then the permit will cover the same amount of time as your study program. This being said, you will also need to extend it on a yearly basis. When you have finished your studies the permit will also no longer be valid. Permanent residency is also not possible with a student permit.

It is possible to apply for citizenship in Portugal after you have lived in Portugal for a long time. After 5 years of living in Portugal with a temporary permit, it is possible for you to apply for permanent residence.

Around a year or two after you have applied for permanent residence, you can then apply for citizenship which will help you become a legal resident.