Registration procedures and residence permits

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Residence of nationals of a European Economic Area (EEA) Member State and members of their families

For a period of residence of up to three months there are no conditions and formalities other than the need to hold a valid identity card or passport. Direct family members of a national of an EEA Member State who hold one of these documents enjoy the same rights.

Nationals of EEA Member States who intend to live in Portugal for over three months must register within 30 days of the end of their first three months in the country at the Town Council (Municipality) in which they live. When they register they are issued with a registration certificate which is valid for five years or for the period of residence, if less than five years.

A valid identity card or passport is required for issuing the registration certificate, and a sworn declaration that the applicant:

* works under a contract of employment or is self-employed in Portugal, or
* has sufficient resources for himself and for his family, or
* is registered in a public or private education establishment and has sufficient resources for themselves and their family.

Nationals of an EEA Member State who live in Portugal as family members must ask the Town Council (Municipality) where they live for a registration certificate. Before the latter can be issued, a valid identity card or passport, a document in evidence of the family relationship and the registration certificate of the national of the EEA Member State they are accompanying or going to join must be presented.

Members of the family of a national of an EEA Member State who are nationals of a third State must apply for a residence card from the Direcção (central office) or Delegação Regional [Regional Office] of the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras [Immigration Service] in the area where they live within 30 days of the end of their first three months in Portugal. Before the residence card can be issued, a valid passport, a document in evidence of the family relationship and the registration certificate of the national of the EEA Member State who they are accompanying or going to join must be presented.

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2009
Reproduction is authorised.