Article 121-A et Seq. (Article 121-B and 121-K) – “Eu blue card” and residence permit for holders of a “blue card” in another member state

Documents Required

The “EU blue card” is the residence permit enabling its holder to live and engage a highly qualified activity in the national territory. The application for this residence permit is scheduled and submitted on a standard form signed by the applicant or by his/her legal representative and may be submitted by the applicant or by his employer. The residence permit may still be granted to those who have been living for eighteen months, at least, has holders of the “EU blue card” on another Member State having granting the first blue card, and can go to Portugal to engage a highly qualified activity with his/her members of the family.

• Two recent, identical photographs, in colour with blank background, and easily identifiable (only for appointments at Odivelas, Aveiro or Braga SEF bureau)
• Valid residence visa (except for persons with legal residence in National Territory), or Blue Card granted by an EU Member State
• Passport or any other valid travel document
• Evidence of sufficient means of subsistence, as per the provisions of Order number 1563/2007, de 11/12
• Evidence that the applicant has adequate accommodation
• Permission for SEF to check portuguese criminal record – except for under 16 years old
• Extract from the judicial record issued by the country of origin or by the Member State that granted the EU Blue Card

Specific documents

• Labour contract for highly qualified employment, with duration of no less than one year, earning an annual salary of, at least, 1,5 times the gross national medium salary (1.752,52 euros/month), and in the cases pursuant Article 61-A, paragraph 2, of, at least 1,2 times the gross national medium salary (1.402,02 euros/month)
• Health insurance or evidence of being covered by the National Health Service
• Being registered in the Social Security
• For unregulated professions, documents attesting the relevant higher professional qualifications in the occupation or sector specified in the work contract or in the binding job offer
• For regulated profession specified in the work contract or binding job, documents attesting professional certification, where applicable

 Notes

• The application for an EU Blue Card may be submitted by the third state national or by the respective employer. In any event, the foreign citizen shall be present for the collection of biometrics.
• Article 121-A paragraph 3 of the Aliens Act defines who cannot beneficiate from the EU blue card:
  • Are authorized to live in a Member State under the temporary protection or have required a residence permit for that motif and are waiting for a decision on their status, as well as the benefits of the protection granted under Law n.º 27/2008, of 20 June, or have required that protection and are waiting for a final decision on their status;
  • Are family members of citizens from the European Union under Law n.º 37/2006, of 9 August;
  • Have required or are holders of a residence permit for investigation, under article 90, n.º 1;
  • Benefit from long-term resident status in another Member State of the EU, under Article 116, n.º 1, subparagraphs a) and b) of the Aliens Act;
  • Remain in Portugal for temporary reasons to engage in business activities related with investment as seasonal or outstanding workers under a provision of services;
  • By virtue of an agreement between the European Union and a third State of that nationality, benefit from the rights of free movement equivalent to those of the European Union citizens;
• The application for an EU Blue Card in national territory by a beneficiary of a an EU Blue Card issued by another Member State must be submitted within thirty days of the date of entry in National Territory;
• Pursuant to article 121-E, n.º 1 of the Aliens Act, the “EU blue card” is first valid for one year, renewable for successive periods of two years. Because it is a special legal provision, 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.

 Fees

Standard Forms

Legal Framework

ARTICLE 121-A ET SEQ. OF THE ALIENS ACT (121 B AND 121 K), IN CONJUNCTION WITH ARTICLE 60, PARAGRAPH 2 OF THE REGULATORY DECREE N.º 84/07 OF 05/11, AS AMENDED

ORDER NUMBER 1563/2007, OF 11/12

 Scheduling appointment by telephone