If you are a national of a European Union or European Economic Area country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra or Switzerland), you may enter, stay and reside in Portugal in a simple and swift manner, benefiting from a temporary stay of up to 3 months without the need for authorisation.
To remain for more than 3 months, you must apply at the City Council of your area of residence for the Registration Certificate for European Union Citizens, which is valid for 5 years.
For this purpose, you must submit:
- A valid identification document;
- A declaration on honour confirming: the exercise of employed or self-employed activity in Portugal; or possession of sufficient financial resources and health insurance, where required by the Member State of nationality; or enrolment in an officially recognised educational institution; or proof that you are a family member accompanying or joining an EU citizen, together with documentary evidence of the family relationship or partnership;
- The registration certificate of the EU citizen you are accompanying or joining (where applicable);
- Proof of economic dependency, where applicable to a direct descendant under the age of 21 or a dependant, or to a direct ascendant who is dependent on the EU citizen, the spouse or partner;
- In cases of shared household, a document issued by the competent authority of the country of origin certifying dependency or cohabitation, or proof of serious health reasons that imperatively require personal assistance by the EU citizen.
After 5 years of legal and continuous residence in Portugal, you may apply to AIMA for a Permanent Residence Card, valid for 10 years and renewable. The following are required:
- Prior appointment;
- Legal residence in Portugal for five consecutive years;
- Two passport-sized photographs (in some AIMA offices);
- A valid identification document;
- EU Registration Certificate;
- Proof of change of address, if applicable;
- Application form for the Permanent Residence Certificate, available on the AIMA website.
The right of residence also extends to family members who accompany or join the EU citizen in Portugal, who may likewise apply for permanent residence after 5 years, enjoying the same rights.
On the 22nd January 2026, AIMA announced that family members (nationals of non-EU countries) of European Union citizens may apply to change their residence status to the regime applicable to EU citizens and their family members, replacing the more time-consuming general regime. In such cases, the CRUE – Residence Card for European Union Citizens is issued.
Residence procedures for EU citizens are, as a rule, faster than those applicable to third-country nationals.
It should also be noted that, as of January 2026, “proofs of grant and renewal” have begun to be issued to immigrants who, having submitted their applications, wait several months for the residence permit and who, when it expires while a new application is pending or while awaiting first issuance, remain unlawfully in Portugal.
Finally, it should be noted that the current Portuguese Government intends to amend the Nationality Law. Although the version presented was rejected by the Constitutional Court, the information above may be subject to confirmation should the amendment be approved.