How to move to Portugal for permanent residency

Permanent residency differs from a temporary residence permit in that it is issued indefinitely. It does not need to be renewed every one or two years. However, you need to update the permanent residence card; for example, it is renewed every five years in Portugal.

Permanent residence in Portugal almost gives the same rights as citizenship, except for political ones. With a permanent residence card, you can not participate in elections and hold public office. 

How to get a residence permit in Portugal

Permanent residents of Portugal can not enjoy all the opportunities for travel and relocation to other countries available to citizens of the country. The Portuguese passport opens visa-free entry to 172 countries, while the permanent residence card allows free travelling to 26 countries of the Schengen Area.

How an investor can obtain permanent residence in European countries and what this status provides is explained in the article 5 questions about residence permit and permanent residency.

To become the owner of a permanent residence card in Portugal, you first need to obtain a temporary residence permit. After five years of maintaining the status, you can apply for permanent residence.

Residence permits in Portugal are obtained by study, employment or marriage with a citizen of Portugal, for family reunification. Moreover, this status can be obtained if there is passive income and housing in the country or under the state investment program.

Obtaining a residence permit in Portugal by investment takes 8 to 10 months. Conditions for investors are more straightforward for applicants for a residence permit on other grounds.

The Portugal Golden Visa applicants invest at least €250,000 in the country’s economy to get residence permits. The residence permit program in Portugal offers investors five options:

1. Purchase of investment fund units — €500,000+. Suitable funds that invest most of the capital in companies headquartered in Portugal. The money can be returned after 5 years.

2. Business investments — €500,000+. You can either invest in an existing business or open your own. At the same time, it is necessary to create 5 new jobs.

3. Opening a company. The option does not require a certain amount of investment, but the investor must create at least 10 jobs.

4. Investments in science — €500,000+. The government must approve research projects.

5. Investments in culture and art — €250,000+. The money should be used to support art and the reconstruction of national heritage sites through authorities, state institutions, public or private funds.

To maintain a residence permit in Portugal, the investor must keep the investment and spend at least seven days in the country annually. The residence permit card is renewed every two years.

To maintain Portugal PR, it is enough to spend more than six months in the country within three years from the date of obtaining the status.

Individual cost calculation of the residence permit in Portugal

Get the cost calculation

1. Residing in Portugal. A residence permit in Portugal allows you to enter the country legally, even when the borders are closed. Investors can permanently reside in the country or spend holidays there.

2. Travel without visas. The Schengen countries allow Portuguese residents to enter without a visa. You can spend up to 90 days there in half a year.

3. Free education for children. A residence permit and permanent residence in Portugal allow you to enrol a child in a kindergarten or school for free.

Residents can enrol in Portuguese universities; their diplomas will be recognized in other EU countries. Residents can get a higher education free of charge on a competitive basis.

4. Quality medicine. Portugal has a high level of treatment. It confirms the life expectancy: the country’s citizens live an average of 82 years. It is longer than in Belgium, Denmark, the Czech Republic, or Croatia. The average life expectancy in Europe is 78 years.

To receive complete health care in Portugal, you must register with the National Health Service (NHS). To do this, you must get a user card — Cartão de Utente. The document must be presented each time at the hospital and pharmacy.

You can get an NHS user card at the polyclinic in Portugal, where you live. You must take a residence permit or Portugal permanent residency card.

Medicine is free for citizens of Portugal and foreign citizens with the status of a residence permit or permanent residence if they make contributions to the Social Security Fund. Everyone pays for additional diagnostic studies.

5. Tax incentives. Residents of Portugal can receive the special tax status of a Non-habitual Resident (NHR). It allows not to pay income tax received outside of Portugal if paid in another country. Also, the status enables the reduction of the tax rate on income from professional activities in Portugal to 20%. Without NHR status, the income tax rate reaches 48%.

To become a tax resident of Portugal and obtain a preferential NHR status, you must stay in the country for more than 183 days a year.

6. A European bank account. A residence permit or permanent residence in Portugal allows you to open an account in a European bank, keep your savings in hard currency, and not lose money on commissions for foreign transfers.

7. An opportunity to obtain EU citizenship. Holders of residence permits and permanent residence cards in Portugal can apply for citizenship there.

Permanent residency in Portugal is an optional step on the way to citizenship. You can apply for citizenship after 5 years of being in the status of a residence permit. The status of permanent residence in Portugal is convenient for citizens of countries where it is forbidden to have a second citizenship, e.g. Kazakhstan.

Portugal is a member of the European Union, so with its passport, you can live and work in any country of this association. In addition, Portuguese citizens travel visa-free to 172 countries, including the US, Canada, UK, Japan and Australia.

Portugal has a developed system of education and medicine, a good climate and ecology, safety, low cost of accommodation, quality food and wine.

Pros and cons of life in Portugal

The climate in Portugal depends on the area: in the north, the weather is cool and rainy; in the south, it is warm and sunny. On the border with Spain, the climate is continental: hot summers and cool winters with low rainfall.

In northern Portugal, the summer is sunny and warm, without the sweltering heat. Winters are rainy, especially in the Porto city region and further north. Snowfall in Portugal is rare. Snow is mainly found in the Serra da Estrela mountains.

In central Portugal, including Lisbon and the Silver Coast, mild winters and hot, dry summers exist. Hot summers are easier to endure in the coastal, central and southern regions as the sea breeze keeps the temperature pleasant.

The southern part of Portugal and the Algarve are some of the sunniest places in Europe. The sun stays even in winter. Therefore, the south of Portugal is a popular holiday destination.

The coldest winter in Lisbon was on February 11th, 1956. The minimum temperature that year was -1.2°C

The cost of living in Portugal is one of the lowest in Europe. The cost of living in Lisbon is 34% lower than in Paris and 32% cheaper than in Berlin. Basic expenses for a month of living in Portugal:

1. Rental housing: renting a three-room apartment in the city centre — €1,400; utility bills for a three-room apartment of 85 m² — €110.

2. Groceries: milk, 1 l — €0.90; baguette — €1.30; eggs, 12 pcs — €2.50; local cheese, 1 kg — €8.50; rice, 1 kg — €1; chicken breast, 1 kg — €6.2; lettuce — €1.20; apples, 1kg — €1.80.

3. Entertainment: three-course dinner for two in a restaurant — €40.

Entertainment. There is something for everyone in Portugal: relaxing on picturesque beaches, water sports, hiking, sightseeing tours or exploring mediaeval architecture.

The country has entertainment and educational leisure centres for children and adults, where you can spend time actively. For example, the Lisbon Zoo and Aquarium, the Santo Andre Safari Park, the Evora Museum City, and the Surf Reserve.

The best place for surfing in Portugal is Ericeira. It is located in the only surf reserve in Europe. The state protects the territory: building and other interventions are prohibited here

Safety. In 2023, Portugal was ranked seventh out of 163 in the Global Peace Index. The country has a low crime rate, no internal conflicts and the risk of terrorism is minimal. Portugal does not participate in international political conflicts and wars.

Good ecology. 352 Portuguese beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag. This award is given to beaches whose water meets high-quality standards and is suitable for safe swimming. Therefore, the beaches of Portugal attract tourists from all over the world.

The development of coastlines is prohibited in the country so as not to harm the environment. 79,5% of electricity in Portugal is generated by renewable natural energy sources such as wind, solar and water power plants.

By 2050, Portugal plans to become carbon neutral and switch all public transport to electricity.