If you’re planning to move to Portugal from UK and work there, there are some important steps you need to take. First off, you’ll need to get an employment visa before you even head over to Portugal. Once you’re there, remember that working in Portugal isn’t quite the same as working in the UK. So, it’s essential to make sure you have a work visa before you start your job.

Now, if you’re thinking about living in Portugal for the long haul, you might want to consider the Entrepreneur and Investor Visa. Yes, this option can be more expensive, but the potential rewards could be much bigger.

For those of you who are planning to live in Portugal permanently and have a good amount of passive income to support yourself, there’s another option called the non-lucrative visa. Basically, this visa lets you move to Portugal and live comfortably without the need to work.

If you’re a UK citizen dreaming of studying in Portugal, you can make that happen with a student visa. The cool thing is that after you’re eventually done with your studies, you can remain in Portugal to look for a job.

Also, a great thing about Portugal is that you can keep your UK nationality if you become a Portuguese citizen.  Essentially, Portugal allows you to have dual citizenship, so you don’t have to give up your UK nationality.

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 UK 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 a UK 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.
10.  

If you’re thinking about staying in Portugal for work, studies, self-employment, or even retirement, you’ll need to apply for a specific visa. Here are the main visa options available to UK citizens:

Retirement Visa (D7 Visa): This visa, also known as the D7 visa, lets UK citizens live in Portugal if they have enough money to cover their expenses. You can work in Portugal and still rely on your passive income like pensions, dividends, or rental earnings. It’s important to show that you have the financial means to support yourself and your family if you’re bringing them along. Having a pension is a solid way to prove this.

After you arrive in Portugal, you can apply for a Residence Permit, which is valid for two years and can be renewed for three-year periods. After living there for five years, you can even apply for permanent residency. Ultimately, is your first step towards becoming a Portuguese citizen, and your family can be a part of this too.

Digital Nomad Visa: This visa is for UK citizens who can support themselves in Portugal with income from remote work. Unlike the D7 Visa where you rely on passive income, with the Digital Nomad Visa, your income should come from freelance or remote work.

Once you’re in Portugal, you can apply for a Residence Permit, valid for two years and renewable for three-year periods. Also, after five years of living in Portugal, you can go for permanent residency, and your family can be part of this journey too.

Unlike some other visas, you don’t have to buy property or invest to get this one.

Investor Visa (Portuguese Golden Visa): UK citizens have the opportunity to use the Golden Visa Program to become permanent residents of Portugal. Essentially, this visa comes with a bunch of benefits and flexibility, and the application process is quite straightforward. Also, with this visa, you and your family can start working right away in Portugal.

However, this visa does require a significant investment in Portuguese real estate. Usually, it’s a €500,000 investment, but it can be lower if you buy property in a less crowded area or a zone that needs restoration.

If you’re interested in moving to Portugal from the UK, our lawyers can guide you through the process. And remember, this program also allows UK citizens to set up and run their own businesses in Portugal.