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Residency in Portugal
Residency in Portugal is the easiest residency in the European Union for Brazilians and one of the most advantageous
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Portugal - The best residency for Brazilians?
The Advantages of Residency in Portugal
Residency in Portugal offers several advantages that are hard to find in other countries.
- Accessible to everyone: Portugal has so many visa options that almost any Brazilian can qualify.
- European Union Residency: You will have the right to free movement within any European Union country.
- Minimum stay requirements: Portugal only requires a minimum stay of 4 months per year, without consecutive absences of more than 6 months, to maintain residency.
- Citizenship in Europe: You can apply for Portuguese citizenship after 7 years of legal residency.
- Language: For Brazilians, it is not necessary to certify, apostille (with some exceptions), or translate any documents.
- Quality of Life: Portugal offers a high quality of life, with quality public services such as healthcare, education, and transportation. Portugal is also one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates.
- Tax Advantages: The Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation, also known as NHR 2.0, offers a 20% flat tax on active income and 0% tax on passive income from abroad.
Documents for Residency in Portugal
The documents required for residency vary based on the category you fall under, which may include: digital nomad, student, highly qualified professional, entrepreneur, employee, or job seeker in Portugal.
The documents required for each residency type can be found on the AIMA website
Timelines for residency in Portugal
- Consular Appointment: Generally around 3-6 months, though this varies based on demand and the consulate.
- Visa Issuance: Generally around 6 months, though this varies based on demand and the consulate.
- Obtaining a Residence Permit: 5 to 90 business days (depending on whether you arrive with or without a visa). There is no expedited process (with the exception of students).
- Obtaining a NIF: 3 to 5 business days. There is no expedited or urgent process.
- NHR/IFICI Assessment: Our specialists will evaluate whether you qualify for any of the special tax regimes offered by Portugal.
- Obtaining NHR/IFICI: If you meet the requirements, we will apply for the regime. The preliminary decision is online. The final decision takes 5 business days.
More information about Portugal
You can find more information and documents here:
- Article: How to Move to Portugal: The Main Visas
- Article: How to Live in Portugal Tax-Free with the NHR Regime
- Article: How to Obtain Portuguese Citizenship by Descent
- Article: Madeira and the Canary Islands: The Advantages of Special Zones in Portugal and Spain
- Podcast: ALL Visa Options for Living in Portugal - with Thiago Vieira and Adriana David
Available variants
Residency pricing and options
Residency in Portugal
$2,199 USD
- Includes legal residency in Portugal via any visa except the Golden Visa
- The D2 Visa also requires a business plan, which is quoted separately.
- Includes a consultation on the Portuguese visa process
- Includes our 85-page Escape Route: Portugal guide.
- Discounts available for families and members of the Settee Community. Details in the FAQ below.
- Visa application fee included
We also accept payments via bank transfer in USD, EUR, crypto (BTC, ETH, XMR, USDT/USDC), or PIX. If you would like to do this, please send an email to info@settee.io
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Is Portuguese Residency right for me?
We recommend Portuguese Residency for:
- Clients who want to live in Europe and do not have European citizenship: Portugal offers an accessible path for those who wish to reside in the European Union, even without having citizenship of a European country.
- Those who want to establish ties with the European Union: Portugal is an excellent gateway for living, working, and doing business in other European Union countries.
- Clients seeking tax benefits and exemptions: The Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime offers tax benefits, such as tax exemptions on foreign income, for a period of 10 years, which is ideal for some professionals with external income.
- Those seeking a second European citizenship: Portugal offers a more accessible naturalization process for residents, with the possibility of acquiring citizenship after 7 years of legal residency.
We Do Not Recommend Portuguese Residency For:
- Clients with a limited budget: While Portugal is affordable compared to other Western European countries, it is still more expensive than options in Eastern Europe or Latin America, especially in countries like Paraguay, Hungary, and Colombia.
- Clients seeking faster naturalization: Although Portugal offers a simplified naturalization process, it still requires at least 7 years of legal residency, which may not be ideal for those seeking citizenship in less time, such as in Colombia, Argentina, or Spain.
- Employed clients, freelancers, or small business owners looking for lower taxes: For tax burdens lower than 20% on income under the Non-Habitual Resident regime, it is better to opt for countries like Cyprus, Bulgaria, Malta, or Croatia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is included in the Portugal residency service?
- Legal residency in Portugal with any visa
- Visa application fees
- Initial consultation regarding the Portuguese visa process
- Appointment with the Portuguese AIMA
- Consular appointment for visa application
- Escape Route: Portugal 85-page guide.
What is not included in the Portugal residency service? What can I request as an add-on?
- Any costs related to travel to Portugal
- Any costs related to accommodation in Portugal
- Residence permit fees, paid by the client at the time of the interview.
- Fiscal representation in Portugal from the second year onwards
- Driver's License. Can be requested for an additional fee of 250 USD once the residence card is obtained. This can be done remotely.
- Assistance with opening bank accounts
- Processing of Portuguese citizenship
- Recognition of foreign court judgments (e.g., divorce)
- In-person assistance at government offices: Available upon request for an additional fee.
- Tax and accounting support in Portugal: We can refer you to local accountants for any needs.
- Real estate support in Portugal: We can refer you to local brokers for property investments.
- Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF)
- Assessment and application for NHR or IFICI status
Are there any discounts available?
As an annual member of the Settee Community, you receive a 200 USD discount on residency as the primary applicant.
For each additional dependent, you receive a 200 USD discount on the residency process.
Do I need to go to Portugal to complete the process?
Yes, you are required to go to Portugal to carry out the immigration and visa application process as a non-Portuguese citizen.
How long does the process take?
- Consular appointment: Generally around 3-6 months, though it varies based on demand and the consulate.
- Visa issuance: Generally around 6 months, though it varies based on demand and the consulate.
- Obtaining a residence card: 5 to 90 business days (depending on whether you arrive with or without a visa). There is no expedited process (with the exception of students).
- Obtaining a NIF: 3 to 5 business days. There is no expedited or rush process.
- Obtaining NHR status: The provisional decision is instant and online. The final decision takes 5 business days.
- Obtaining a non-habitual tax resident certificate: instant – online.
Do I need to live in Portugal once I have residency?
No. Once you have legal residency, you simply cannot be absent from the country for more than 6 consecutive months or 8 months in total within a year.
What is the point of Portuguese residency if I am still a resident of Brazil?
There are several advantages to obtaining Portuguese residency even if you continue to live in Brazil.
- It starts counting time toward permanent residency and, eventually, Portuguese citizenship.
- It allows you to open accounts at European banks and fintechs.
- It makes traveling, investing, and doing business in Europe easier.
- It allows you to obtain a Portuguese driver's license.
- If you decide to move to Portugal at any point, you will already have all your documents in hand and can simply go.
Can I live tax-free with Portuguese residency?
It depends. If you obtain Portuguese residency and secure NHR status, it is indeed possible to live tax-free if all your income comes from sources exempt under the NHR.
In most cases for freelancers, employees, and small business owners, the tax burden while living in Portugal will be around 20% under the NHR.
Of course, you can also obtain legal residency without becoming a tax resident if you do not spend more than 183 days per year in Portugal and do not maintain a property available to you. In that case, you will also have no taxes in Portugal.
Does residency help in obtaining a second citizenship in Portugal?
Yes. The step-by-step process is as follows:
- Legal Residency. This service covers your legal residency in Portugal. With it, you can live in Portugal, open bank accounts, obtain a driver's license, and work in the country.
- Citizenship. After 7 years of legal residency, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship. The process itself takes another year.
- Passport. Once you are a Portuguese citizen, you can apply for a Portuguese passport.
Can you provide an invoice for the service?
We can issue an invoice for the service. Please send us your preferred billing address.