Applying for Residence in Portugal

Working in Portugal

Article 88, paragraph 1 – Residence Permit for employed workers with a residence visa
Documents Required

The application for residence title should be scheduled (via an electronic platform – to be implemented for holders of residence visas) and submitted personally on a standard form signed by the applicant or his/her legal representative. The application may be submitted at any SEF’s directorate or regional delegation, which, after proceedings and decision, will forward it to the directorate or regional delegation of the applicant’s area of residence. Necessary documentation as follows:

  • Two recent, identical photographs, in colour with blank background, and easily identifiable (only for appointments at Odivelas, Aveiro or Braga SEF bureau)
  • Passport or any other valid travel document
  • Valid residence visa
  • Evidence of sufficient means of subsistence, as per the provisions of Order number 1563/2007, of 11/12
  • Evidence that the applicant has adequate accommodation
  • Permission for SEF to check portuguese criminal record – except for under 16 years old
  • Labour contract under the law in force
  • Supporting document with the necessary information for checking the registration within tax authority
  • Supporting document with the necessary information for checking the regular payment of social security
 Notes
  • The granting of a residence permit shall entail: the absence of any fact which, if known to the competent authorities, would preclude the granting of the visa; Absence of conviction for a crime which in Portugal is punishable by a custodial sentence of more than one year; The applicant is not within a period of prohibition of entry into the national territory, following an expulsion measure from the country; No indication in the Schengen Information System; No indication in SEF’s Integrated Information System for non-admission purposes, under article 33 of the Aliens Act.
  • The holder of a Residence Permit for purposes of remunerated employment is entitled to become self-employed on the condition of applying for the relevant Residence Permit from SEF.
  • With the amendment introduced to article 75 of the Aliens Act, by article 192 of Act n.º 75-B/2020 of 31 december – State Budget to 2021 in force since 01/01/2021 and to 2021 –, the temporary residence permit for employed workers is valid for two years [and not just one] from the date of issue of the corresponding title and renewable for successive periods of three years [and not just two].
  • The following administrative offences apply: Article 192 of the Aliens Act (Illegal Stay); Article 197 of the Aliens Act (No entry declaration); Article 198 of the Aliens Act (Unauthorized independent professional activity); Article 199 of the Aliens Act (No travel document).
 Fees

ARTICLE 88, PARAGRAPH 1 OF THE ALIENS ACT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH ARTICLES 51 AND 54, PARAGRAPH 1 OF THE REGULATORY DECREE N.º 84/07 OF 05/11, AS AMENDED

ORDER NUMBER 1563/2007, OF 11/12