If you’re thinking about making the move to Portugal from Australia, there are some important things to keep in mind. First of all, unless you’re an EU citizen, it’s necessary to get an employment visa before you can start working in Portugal. Also, working in Portugal is not the same as working in Australia. This means you’ll need to obtain a specific work visa before you begin your job there.

For those who are considering a permanent move to Portugal, there’s an interesting option to explore. Moreover, if you’re willing to invest more money upfront, you might want to look into the Entrepreneur and Investor Visa. Even though this choice might be more expensive, it offers the potential for bigger rewards down the line.

If you have a good amount of passive income to support yourself, there’s another visa route to consider. Additionally, if you’re financially stable, you can apply for a non-lucrative visa, which allows you to live in Portugal.

For Australian citizens who are keen on studying in Portugal, there’s some good news. Furthermore, if you have a student visa, you can study in the country and even stay there after your studies are done to search for a job.

Now, one of the fantastic things about moving to Portugal from Australia is that you don’t have to give up your original nationality since Portugal recognizes dual citizenship.

1. Step 1 – Understand Your Situation.
   1. There are various residence permits in Portugal, each with its own procedure. For example, you must follow a different system to get a non-lucrative visa than one to get a work permit. So, first, you need to determine which visa is best for you.
   2. Even though Australian citizens are not EU citizens, we can still help you and ensure the process is simple. 
   3. Our lawyers can assist you in deciding whether a Portuguese resident visa is exactly what you require. In addition, we can assist you with Immigration officials, because we speak Portuguese.
2. Step 2 – the immigration procedure
   1. You typically begin the process in your home country unless you are applying for an entrepreneur visa or a highly skilled professional visa.
   2. You must apply to the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in your home country or the location where you are a legal resident before travelling to Portugal to obtain a Portuguese visa.
   3. After your application has been processed, the Embassy or Consulate will give you a visa so that you may enter Portugal and stay there.
   4. Make sure to travel within 90 days after the visa was issued.
   5. Once you have received your NIF number, you must apply for a residence permit. A residency card is essentially what you receive. 
   6. You may live in the country for two years with this residence permit, which can be renewed for a period of three years, as long you still meet the exact requirements.
   7. You may apply for permanent residency after living in Portugal for at least 5 years.
3. Step 3 – Working in Portugal
4. If you are an ex-pat, you must have a work visa to work in Portugal.
   1. Those seeking to reside in Portugal who are unable to meet the stringent requirements for other types of visas may find the work visa a suitable replacement.
      1. Most applications must be made from outside of Portugal.
      2. You must have a Portuguese job offer and a work contract to get a work permit.
      3. You can only work in positions where the government has identified a need.
   2. We’ve helped hundreds of clients secure their EU blue card, so don’t delay and speak with Lexidy today. 
5. Step 4 – Moving to Portugal but not working.
   1. You can live in Portugal as an Australian citizen without working on a non-lucrative visa. Having enough money to sustain yourself there, however, would be ideal. 
   2. With this visa, you can use your private or public pension to support yourself while living in Portugal.
6. Step 5 – Getting a NIF
   1. Anyone who lives in Portugal has to obtain a tax identification number NIF especially if they run official/legal fiscal activities 
   2. In Portugal, a NIF number is required to open a bank account, purchase a property, pay taxes and do most other fiscal activities.
7. Step 6 – The paperwork
   1. You must have the following documents for each residence permit in Portugal.
      1. A clean criminal record in Portugal and your home country
      2. Proof that you can financially support yourself if you are applying for a student visa or non-lucrative visa
      3. Full public healthcare coverage
      4. A passport and two photo IDs
   2. More complex visa applications require more paperwork. For instance, the Golden Visa in Portugal requires proof that the applicant has purchased a Portuguese asset. In addition, the entrepreneurship visa requires the applicant to develop a business plan.
8. Step 7 – Translate the documents
   1. All documents must be translated into Portuguese and certified with a Hague Apostille. These documents are rejected if presented in the client’s native language, so everything must be translated into Portuguese.
9. Step 8 – Move with your family.
   1. An extended family may apply for a residence and work permit if the principal applicant has resided in the country for more than one year.
   2. Portugal counts the below as family:
      1. Your parents
      2. Spouse or unmarried partner
      3. Your spouse’s parents
      4. Your children
   3. Your family reunification residence permit application cannot be processed until your relative is out of the country.