Everything about moving to Portugal for permanent residence from Russia

1. Pros of living in Portugal
2. Prices in Portugal
3. How to move to live in Portugal?
4. Golden visa
5. Buying a property
6. Investments in the economy
7. Financially independent
8. Employment
9. Startup Visa
10. Studies
11. Family reunification
12. Refugees
13. Residence permit
14. permanent residence
15. Citizenship

Portugal is one of the most affordable countries to move to Europe. The requirements for obtaining a residence permit in Portugal are minimal, and the authorities are loyal to attracting expats.

More than 10 million people live in Portugal. Of these, almost 600 thousand are foreigners permanently and legally residing in the country. This is an unprecedented figure for Portugal: the number of migrants is growing every year. The vast majority of expats live in Lisbon, Faro, Setubal and Porto.

Thanks to stable economic growth over the past few years, the country's standard of living has been improving. Unemployment in Portugal reached 16.2% in 2013, while in 2021 it has already dropped to 5.9%. This is an inexpensive country to live in, but with a high quality of life.

Pros of living in Portugal

• Affordable real estate. You can buy a home in Portugal for an average of 1,100 euros/m², while in neighboring Spain prices remain at 1,800 euros/m². You can rent a one-bedroom apartment in Lisbon for about 600 - 800 euros per month.
• Low prices for goods and services. The cost of living in Portugal is 1.5-2 times lower than in France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, according to Numbeo.
• Citizenship after 5 years. You can apply for Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of residence in the country. This is one of the fastest opportunities to obtain a European passport. Naturalization in Spain and Italy takes 10 years, and in Greece - 7 years.
• Preferential tax regime. In Portugal, new tax residents have a special regime for 10 years - Non-Habitual Residents. Under it, the income tax rate is reduced to 20%, and taxes are not levied on income received outside Portugal.
• Delicious and healthy products. Mediterranean cuisine is one of the main secrets of the health and longevity of local residents. Thus, the average life expectancy in Portugal exceeds 81 years.
• Low crime rate. Portugal is recognized as one of the safest countries in the world. It took third place in the 2021 Global Peace Index, behind only Iceland and New Zealand.
• Mild climate. Summer in Portugal is not too hot thanks to the ocean breeze; the thermometer here usually does not exceed +30 °C. And winters are mild and warm; in the coastal regions of the country the temperature even in the “cold” season reaches +13 - 17 °C. Portugal is the sunniest country in Europe: the sun shines here 300 days a year.
• English language. In Portugal, foreign films in cinema and television are not dubbed, but shown in the original with subtitles in Portuguese. Probably due to this and the fact that English is taught as a second language in schools, most young people speak English fluently. Portugal is ranked 7th in the world in the EF English Proficiency Index in 2021.
• Friendly attitude towards foreigners. Portugal has been voted the most hospitable and expat-friendly country in the world in 2021, ranking number one in expat network InterNations' rankings.

Standard of living in Portugal

The degree of economic development of Portugal is most eloquently demonstrated by the standard of living of the population. And the main indicators are:

1. Labor market . Finding a high-paying job is not easy. Foreigners cannot expect a salary higher than 1000 euros. This income is received by unskilled factory workers. Doctors and engineers earn over 2,000 euros per month.
2. Pension . After retirement, the Portuguese are entitled to a labor pension from the state. Its size is 300 euros, which can be called the average for the European Union.
3. Product prices . Portugal can be proud of the ratio of high quality products to their affordable prices. On average, a family of two spends about 300-400 euros on food per month.
4. Real estate . Currently, the cost of housing in Portugal is much lower than in other European countries. Undervaluation concerns both the purchase market and the rental sector. Even today, you can buy an apartment with three bedrooms in the Algarve resort area for 60-100 thousand euros, but experts predict a rapid increase in real estate prices. You can rent a one-bedroom apartment in Lisbon for 300-400 euros per month. Portuguese banks are ready to issue loans for the purchase of housing at 5-6% per annum.
5. Education . Universities in Portugal have earned well-deserved fame among students from around the world, including from Russia. Coimba is home to the EU's oldest educational institution, founded in 1290. Two more local universities took 16th and 17th place in the ranking of the 100 best universities in Europe.
6. Medicine . The country's population receives medical care and medicines through insurance. The level of service and equipment of the clinics meets European standards, but there are not enough highly specialized specialists, so patients often wait in line for an appointment for several months.

Prices in Portugal

How to move to live in Portugal?

• Come to the country on a work visa;
• Marry a resident;
• Enroll in an educational institution;
• Invest in the country's economy;
• Buy real estate worth from 350 thousand euros;
• Open or move a startup to the country;
• Travel as a financially independent person;
• Migrate through family reunification;
• Leave as a refugee.

Most often, residence permits in Portugal are obtained by students, pensioners, family members of Portuguese residents, and the country's authorities are also actively issuing residence permits to start-ups.

Immigration to Portugal from Russia: how to move for permanent residence

This is a hospitable and beautiful state on the very edge of Europe. The mild climate and pristine natural beauty, excellent environmental conditions and rapidly developing economy make Portugal attractive to foreign tourists. In addition, immigration to Portugal is gaining momentum every year - this is facilitated by affordable housing and the constant creation of jobs.

Who can claim citizenship of the Portuguese Republic

To applicants who wish to officially reside in the territory of this country, whose immigration authorities restrict entry into the state for certain categories of citizens. Foreign citizens who:

• Have no criminal convictions;
• They speak Portuguese, and the minimum knowledge is sufficient;
• They can financially provide not only for themselves, but also for their family members;
• They do not suffer from serious illnesses, including those of a psychological nature.

Ways to immigrate to Portugal

There are several ways to obtain a residence permit in Portugal:

• Family reunification;
• Labor immigration;
• Marriage to a Portuguese citizen;
• Obtaining refugee status;
• Business immigration;
• Professional migration;
• Purchase of real estate;
• Getting an education.

If a foreign citizen crosses the border of the Republic for the first time, he must submit an application to its diplomatic mission to obtain permission to enter Portugal. As a rule, the applicant will be issued a Schengen visa.

Read more about applying for a visa to Portugal by following the link.

As for investors, when applying for a residence permit they are given some privileges.

Family reunion

According to the family reunification program, immigration to Portugal is quite relevant for citizens from Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. Due to the fact that quite a lot of their relatives have already moved to the territory of this country and officially live there.

One of the main conditions for moving to Portugal under such a program is the presence of citizenship of the Portuguese inviter, his financial well-being and the desire to officially guarantee housing for foreign relatives, as well as to provide financial support in case of emergency.

The basis for obtaining a visa in this case is the invitation of relatives who have Portuguese citizenship, which is issued at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The immigrant initially receives a residence permit for a period of one year.

Labor immigration

Immigration to Portugal among citizens of the former USSR most often occurs through employment.

To obtain a work permit to enter this country, you must provide a concluded contract with a Portuguese employer, which must stipulate: work schedule, payment conditions, position and responsibilities of a foreign employee, detailed details of the host company, its registration certificate, as well as the deadline validity of the contract.

On the territory of the states that make up the European Union, uniform migration rules apply, which state that citizens of this country have the first right to fill the resulting vacancy; if there are no applicants among them, then applicants from other EU countries are considered.

If no candidate is found who meets the requirements, the vacancy may be filled by a third-country national.

This rule also applies to citizens of the republics of the former USSR. If a foreign citizen of a third country is hired for a position, the employer must approve his candidacy with the Portuguese Ministry of Labor; only after approval the contract comes into legal force.

Initially, labor immigrants are issued a residence permit for a period of one year, which can subsequently be extended.

Conclusion of an official marriage with a citizen of the Portuguese Republic

Upon marriage, the foreign spouse is automatically assigned a residence permit. Only after he has lived in this state for more than three years can a foreign spouse apply for a Portuguese passport.

We should also not forget that during the period of residence, young spouses will be regularly monitored by migration officers for signs of fictitiousness.

In order not to raise doubts among the authorities, newlyweds are obliged to lead a respectable lifestyle, live in the same house, jointly manage the family budget and run a common household.

The birth of children to a couple automatically removes suspicion from the migration services.

This is due to the fact that migration representatives of the countries of the European Union are well aware that in order to obtain the desired citizenship, foreign citizens enter into fictitious marriages. The attitude towards this possibility of migration is extremely negative, even though finding evidence of a fictitious marriage is quite difficult and problematic.

Professional migration

The Republic needs foreign highly qualified personnel.

For this purpose, a number of government programs have been developed and are being successfully implemented to increase immigration to Portugal of foreigners in demand in the country with a wide variety of specialties.

The state economy is in dire need of English teachers, construction engineers, doctors, architects, and agricultural workers.

Citizens of other countries with the appropriate level of qualifications and a confirmed diploma in the European Union can obtain a residence permit for a period of one year and have every right to renew it in the future. If a foreigner is the owner of a Blue Card, then he is issued a residence permit for two years. Members of his family also have the right to live together with the applicant.

Starting your own business

The possibility of business immigration to Portugal involves two options.

Firstly, opening your own business project. Among European countries, this Republic has an average level of taxation system, and the government guarantees quite tempting benefits to opening companies.

Foreign citizens can register their company in any of the areas of activity that are prescribed by Portuguese law.

A new entrepreneur only needs to pay a fee when registering a business for administrative services.

Registration of a company will cost the applicant an amount not exceeding seven hundred euros; the authorized capital of the opening organization must be at least 5,000 euros. The registration procedure takes no more than two weeks.

If a foreign businessman has a business partner who has Portuguese citizenship, such immigration will be somewhat easier.

Secondly, this is investing. The country's leadership, due to the difficult conditions of the crisis, adopted a number of bills, the basis of which is the targeted attraction of foreign investment.

In order for a foreign citizen to obtain a residence permit, it is necessary to invest at least 300,000 euros in the economy of the Republic, or in the development of its infrastructure.

Some investment projects require a deposit of at least 500,000 euros.

Individual entrepreneurs and investors initially receive a residence permit for a period of one year, with the subsequent right to extend it. If the investment is made by a foreign citizen on a particularly large scale, then the businessman can immediately obtain permanent residence, and then apply for a Portuguese passport.

Acquisition of real estate ownership

The purchase of real estate provides unhindered access to the Portuguese Republic. It is worth noting that this state is one of the few members of the European Union that issues a residence permit when purchasing real estate.

However, there are some purchasing criteria. One of the main ones is the cost of the house or apartment; it must be at least 300,000 euros according to the state register and located in a sparsely populated area of ​​the country.

In addition, the date of its transfer into operation must be no earlier than thirty years from the date of purchase.

As for the intended purpose of the property, this parameter is not particularly important. It can be used for residential, commercial or industrial purposes.

Education

Among citizens of the former Soviet republics, getting an education in Portugal is in demand and quite prestigious. This is due to its accessibility and high standard of living. After successful completion of an educational institution, a foreign student is issued a European diploma.

To obtain a student residence permit, an applicant must submit a contract concluded with the university, which contains detailed information regarding the educational process: the student’s living conditions, the cost of payment, the chosen specialty, as well as the duration of the educational process.

In addition, a foreign student is required to provide evidence that he has sufficient funds to live and study in the country. Such a document may be a bank statement, sponsorship letters, etc.

Golden visa

Portugal Golden Visa is a government program that provides a residence permit in the country in exchange for investment. You can get a golden visa through the purchase of Portuguese real estate or investment in the country's economy. The program provides an opportunity to quickly become a resident of the country. The investor and his family obtain a residence permit in just 2-6 months.

A residence permit is issued for one year, renewable for two years and then for another two years. If the investment is maintained, the residence permit is extended indefinitely. However, after 5 years, an investor can obtain permanent residence and apply for Portuguese citizenship. And after receiving permanent residence, he can exit the investment, but he will not lose his resident status.

Starting a business in Portugal

Moving to Portugal to open your own business is one of the most convenient ways to obtain permanent residence. There are no serious bureaucratic procedures, and the minimum amount of authorized capital is only 5 thousand euros. The optimal company format for Portugal is a limited liability company.

The registration process will cost 400–600 euros plus the services of a lawyer (1,500–2,500 euros), who will take care of all the necessary actions.

Registration can last up to 30 working days, and after its completion the owner receives a plastic card with all the details of his company. You can immediately apply for a residence permit, and after 5 years, prepare documents for permanent residence.

Buying a property

Buying a home is the most popular option for obtaining a golden visa in Portugal. In 2021, more than 93% of investors chose this option of obtaining a residence permit in Portugal for investment.

How to get a residence permit in Portugal for purchasing a home?

• Buy housing in Portugal costing from 500 thousand euros.
• Buy real estate in Portugal costing from 350 thousand euros for renovation. In this case, the housing must be over 30 years old and located in a historical area that is subject to restoration as part of the city program. The investor undertakes to restore such an object.

Important. A minimum investment amount can be invested in several properties in Portugal; it is not necessary to buy one expensive house or apartment. In this case, housing can be rented out and receive income in euros. You can sell real estate after 5 years of residence in the country and obtaining permanent residence status.

To the cost of real estate you need to add the costs of its registration - about 10-12% of the price of the property. And the maintenance of housing will cost about 2 thousand euros per year.

Note. You can get a residence permit for purchasing real estate in Lisbon, Porto and on the coast only until July 1, 2021! From now on, the Portuguese authorities will issue golden visas for the purchase of housing exclusively in the interior regions of the country, in the Azores or Madeira.

Methods for obtaining permanent residence in Portugal for Russians

The relocation of foreign citizens to the country is strictly regulated by immigration laws .

There are serious reasons for this:

• investments;
• employment;
• studies;
• marriage;
• missionary activity;
• refugee.

Now let's look at each reason in more detail.

Investments and Entrepreneurship

The authorities are very favorable towards foreign investors. In this case, there is no difference between citizens of the EU and other countries. The main thing is that the enterprise operates, provides jobs, regularly pays taxes and salaries to workers. An application to open a business is submitted to the Chamber of Commerce.

Since Portugal is not on the list of the richest countries, the minimum investment threshold here is low - 5,000 euros . If the enterprise closes, you will most likely be deported unless there are other compelling reasons for staying on the territory of the state.

The country has a special investment program called “Golden Visa” .

There are several options for participating:

1. Invest 250,000 euros in supporting the national cultural heritage and the production of various artistic products.
2. Invest 350,000 euros in real estate or in research activities of government institutions.
3. 500,000 euros for financing small businesses or any real estate.
4. Invest 1,000,000 euros in securities or as a deposit.

If you invest in areas with low density (less than 100 people per square kilometer and income levels less than 75% of the national average), the investor will save up to 20% of money .

Employment

After concluding a contract with an employer, you must obtain a work permit and apply for the appropriate visa . After three years of living, working in the country and regularly paying income taxes, applicants have a chance to receive a residence permit.

It will be interesting:

The procedure for immigration to Israel from Russia: how to move to live for permanent residence

Procedure for immigration to Italy from Russia: where to start

Studies

Getting an education at one of the universities in Portugal is one of the easiest ways to move to the country . To do this, you need to enroll in the chosen university and pay for your studies. A student visa is issued for the entire period of study and allows the student to work part-time up to 20 hours a week.

Keep in mind that in local higher educational institutions it is customary to study independently and take exams; bribes are strictly prohibited . And academic debt threatens exclusion.

Some universities have special English-language training programs for foreigners . If admitted to a program of study in Portuguese, an international student is given a preparatory year to study the language.

One semester at the university will cost approximately 1000 euros. Of course, the final cost depends on the specific university and specialty. If you count all the student’s expenses, including food, accommodation, transportation, insurance and the study itself, it comes out to about 8,000 euros per year.

Marriage and family reunification

An official union with a Portuguese citizen gives the right to obtain a residence permit . In addition to documentary evidence, spouses will have to prove that their marriage is not fictitious at various interviews.

After three years of legal marriage, the foreign spouse has the right to obtain citizenship of the country.

There is a special program under which foreign citizens can enter the territory of the state with their close relatives on a guest visa, and then obtain a residence permit.

Spouses, partners, minor children, parents over 65 years of age and dependents are eligible to move under the program

Missionary activities

Catholicism predominates in the country. At the same time, there is an opportunity for foreign religious figures to visit the country with missionary intentions . It's not a very common occurrence, but it does exist.

Refugee status

Citizens of any state have the right to seek political asylum from the Portuguese government. To do this, you must provide documentary or other evidence of persecution in your homeland for political, ethnic, religious or other reasons.

The refugee is provided with temporary housing, food and a small allowance while his application is being processed . In case of a positive decision, the refugee is issued a residence permit and undergoes adaptation to society. It is dealt with by social services and public organizations. If the decision of the immigration service is negative, the foreign citizen will be deported from the country.

Investments in the economy

In addition to buying a home, there are other alternative options for obtaining a golden visa, but they traditionally do not attract strong interest from foreign investors.

How to get a residence permit in Portugal for investing in the economy?

• Buy shares of a Portuguese company or open an account in a Portuguese bank for an amount of at least 1 million euros.
• Buy shares in an investment fund in the amount of 350 thousand euros, while at least 60% of the fund’s investments must be directed to Portuguese companies.
• Open a business and create at least 10 jobs for Portuguese citizens.
• Donate 350 thousand euros for research activities in Portugal.
• Donate 250 thousand euros for the restoration and preservation of the country's cultural heritage.

Financially independent

Portugal issues residence permits to wealthy foreigners who can prove an income sufficient to live in the country. Both wealthy pensioners and businessmen with passive income, as well as rentiers who rent out real estate, can obtain a residence permit.

To obtain a residence permit, you need to buy or rent housing in Portugal and have passive income that exceeds the cost of living in the country - 635 euros per month or 7,620 euros per year. Income can be obtained from renting out real estate, dividends from bank deposits, pensions, business profits, intellectual property, securities, etc.

A foreigner can show the entire amount sufficient to live in Portugal for a year in a bank account:

• 7,620 euros - for the main applicant;
• 3,600 euros - for each additional adult;
• 2,160 euros - for each child.

This is the minimum level to qualify for residency in Portugal for financially independent individuals. However, the larger the amount the applicant shows, the higher the chances of a positive decision.

Employment

The basis for legal work in the country is an invitation from a Portuguese employer and the conclusion of an employment contract with him. Submitting these documents to the Portuguese consulate allows the foreigner to obtain a work visa and then a residence permit in Portugal. Migrants who agree to work illegally in Portugal face deportation from the country for violating labor laws. Preference in hiring is given to Portuguese and EU citizens. Immigrants can only apply for a job if the Portuguese themselves refuse it.

You can find open vacancies in Portugal on the employment sites sapo.pt, indeed.pt, adecco.pt. Jobs in Portugal are also searched for on Linkedin and often in Facebook groups. For example, a group with vacancies in the digital sphere DDR Job Board. Positions for designers, advertisers and copywriters are available on the Carga de trabalhos website.

Moving to Portugal is more convenient for freelancers and those who can work remotely. Migrants often work in the hotel and restaurant business, in the service sector, construction and agriculture, as well as in medicine. In Portugal you should not expect high salaries: the average salary is 1,200 euros per month. More than 2,000 euros are usually received by highly qualified specialists (programmers, engineers, doctors) who speak English.

Startup Visa

The Startup Visa program provides a residence permit for businessmen who are ready to open an innovative startup in Portugal or move a branch of an existing startup there from their home country.

The startup must have the potential to create 5 jobs for Portuguese citizens in 2 years. The estimated value of the assets or turnover of the startup in 5 years should be from 325 thousand euros per year. The project must interest at least one of the 78 certified incubators.

Lisbon is one of the main startup hubs in Europe. The city has a developed IT community. This is due to the ease of opening a company, low taxes and relatively low employee salaries. Thus, Senior iOS Developer receives approximately 2,000 euros per month.

In recent years, there have been many government initiatives to develop high-tech startups in the city, with several incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces and new investors emerging. Large companies in Lisbon include Oracle, Cisco, and Microsoft. Lisbon is hosting the largest annual IT event, WebSummit, starting in 2021. It was recently announced that the city will continue to host WebSummit until 2028.

Startup hubs in Lisbon:

• Second Home opened its second site in the world in Lisbon after London;
• one of the most effective incubators Startup Lisboa;
• popular accelerator Lisbon Challenge;
• coworking LACS;
• startup hub Impact Hub;
• coworking and incubator Canopy;
• giant startup space Beato Creative Hub - it is planned that the area of ​​the startup hub will reach 100,000 m².

To Portugal to work

In general, the republic does not have enough workers. So, in particular, it is not difficult to find a place for yourself:

• in agriculture (personnel needed for vineyards and cork oak plantations);
• in the fishing fleet;
• in construction;
• at ship repair yards.

This is where people from the Russian Federation, Ukraine and other countries that were formerly part of the USSR mainly work. Vacancies are selected with the help of special agencies or through the mediation of community representatives. Only after receiving a signed employment contract should you apply for a long-term visa and residence permit. Most employers provide assistance with relocation, registration and settling in place.

An important point is that dismissal is a reason for revocation of a residence permit.

Studies

The easiest way to immigrate to Portugal is to enroll in one of the Portuguese universities. Enrolling in a university is not difficult, but it is important to have enough funds in your account to pay for tuition. A foreign student receives a residence permit in Portugal for the entire period of study. He also has the right to work, but not more than 20 hours a week.

It’s even easier to sign up for long-term Portuguese language courses. A foreigner will receive a Schengen student visa for courses lasting less than three months, but will be given a national visa and then a residence permit in case of longer studies. The residence permit will be valid until the end of your studies, so it is important to find a job during this time and convert your student residence permit into a work permit.

Getting an education in Portugal

Admission to Portuguese educational institutions is associated with certain difficulties, since teaching, exams and interviews are conducted only in Portuguese. It is best to study the language in Russia, but in Portugal, at every university, there are preparatory courses for applicants from other countries.

University of Coimbra - the third oldest university in Europe

Each higher education institution has its own study periods, payment principles and amounts that need to be deposited into the account.

The package of documents for admission to the university does not differ from other Schengen countries:

• a diploma of education translated into Portuguese and certified accordingly;
• medical insurance;
• a certificate confirming the availability of funds for living.

Family reunification

A foreigner with relatives in Portugal can immigrate under the family reunification program. However, the inviting party must have Portuguese citizenship or a residence permit in the country.

Who can obtain a residence permit in Portugal for family reunification?

• Spouse of a Portuguese citizen or residence permit holder;
• Minor children;
• Dependent parents.

To obtain a residence permit for children and parents, you need to provide proof of family ties with a citizen or resident of the country. Spouses provide a marriage document. To reunite a family, you first need to apply for a long-term visitor visa, and then, in Portugal, apply for a residence permit.

To get married, you need to obtain a Certificado de matrimonio from the Russian consulate in Portugal. This document confirms that the foreigner is not married in his or her country. In addition, you must provide a valid passport and birth certificate with an apostille and a certified translation into Portuguese. If the marriage is not the first, then you should also attach a divorce certificate with an apostille and a certified translation.

How to go to Portugal

To obtain a residence permit in this country, you must go through a lengthy legal procedure. If we are not talking about obtaining a residence permit, but about issuing a passport, then the naturalization period becomes even longer. Today, immigration to Portugal is possible in several ways.

1. Marriage with a citizen of this country.
2. Obtaining a work visa and then obtaining a residence permit.
3. Opening a business in the country.
4. Reunion with relatives.
5. Investments in the state economy.
6. Study at a local university (then employment and obtaining a residence permit).
7. Refugee status.
8. Participation in the state program for relocation of pensioners.

Religious figures and foreigners with special merits (famous athletes, scientists, musicians, etc.) can also receive a residence permit.

Residence permit

For long-term residence in Portugal you must obtain a residence permit. The first residence permit is approved for a migrant for one year. If the basis for immigration continues, he has the right to renew the permit for two years. then - for another two years. After five years of legal stay in the country under a residence permit, a foreigner has the right to obtain permanent residence in Portugal, and then citizenship.

To obtain a residence permit, a migrant must prove the availability of housing in Portugal. He needs to provide an invitation from a resident, a rental or purchase agreement. He may also be required to provide a bank statement to ensure his solvency. The foreigner confirms that he has no dangerous diseases and has no criminal record. He also needs to purchase health insurance with a coverage amount of at least 30,000 euros.

However, the main thing is to confirm the basis for immigration. Thus, for family reunification, you must provide a marriage or birth certificate. Business immigrants show their project, company documents, and account statements. Investors confirm their investment in real estate or the country's economy. In this case, home buyers provide an extract from the cadastre. Students must have a letter of acceptance from the university, and employees must have an employment contract and work permit. If an immigrant moves to Portugal with a child, a sponsorship letter and consent of the other parent will be required.

Stages of obtaining a residence permit in Portugal:

• Obtain a national visa type D at the Portuguese consulate in Russia;
• Come to Portugal;
• Submit an application for approval of residence status to the Foreigners and Borders Service SEF;
• Get a residence permit card.

Consideration of an application for a residence permit will cost 450 euros per applicant. You also need to pay for the translation and legalization of documents. The period for obtaining a residence permit depends on the motive for emigration and can vary from 2 to 12 months.

Stages of immigration to Portugal

Immigration to Portugal is carried out step by step. The first of these will be the issuance of an entry permit into the country.

Each stage involves submitting biometric data - taking photographs and taking fingerprints. The procedure is free, takes no more than 10 minutes and takes place when submitting documents (in the case of a visa), when applying for a residence permit card and passport.

VISTO DE RESIDÊNCIA - what is it

There are several types of resident visas (visto de residência) in Portugal. They give the right to enter the country and obtain a residence permit. Goals could be:

• labor activity under an employment contract (employment contract);
• independent work or entrepreneurial activity;
• investment activities;
• training, educational exchange, professional internship or volunteer work;
• continuation of higher education within the framework of student mobility programs;
• family reunification.

This entry permit can be obtained by contacting the Portuguese Embassy in the Russian Federation or country of legal residence.

Residence permit

A residence permit is already requested in Portugal when applying to the SEF (migration service). This department is responsible for everything related to immigration issues. The time required to obtain a residence permit is about a month. Initially, the status is issued for one year with the prospect of further extension. After five years (if there are no preferential conditions), you can begin applying for permanent residence.

The state fee for obtaining a residence permit will be 280 euros. Investors will have to pay 760 euros.

Video: immigrant tips for moving and adapting to Portugal

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ERwSjEjzbLw

permanent residence

Permanent residence in Portugal does not expire, but every ten years you will need to visit the migration service to renew the document. After five years as a permanent resident, you can apply for citizenship. The cost of permanent residence varies from 380 to 800 euros, the registration period is a maximum of two months.

The following requirements apply to applicants:

• pass the Portuguese language proficiency test and the social integration test;
• have a permanent legal source of income;
• spend at least 180 days a year in Portugal with a residence permit. An exception is made for large investors.

Citizenship

The ease of obtaining Portuguese citizenship is a myth. You can obtain a Portuguese passport either based on the residence qualification (five years with a residence permit and then five years with permanent residence), or by marriage to a Portuguese citizen. In some cases, citizenship may be assigned to a foreigner who has special services to the republic.

A Portuguese passport can be the second one, since Portugal recognizes dual citizenship. The application for citizenship is considered for at least six months. The state duty will be 420 euros.

A Portuguese passport is the dream of many immigrants

A business here is considered profitable if it brings in at least 10% of its value per year. I bought a hotel in Madeira that was making only 3% profit, and the owner didn't mind getting rid of it. I registered the purchase as an investment in the economy and received a residence permit in Portugal in just 2 months. Now, 2 years later, I have increased my profitability to 12%. And there is still room to grow.

Nikolay Starusev

https://immigrantinvest.com/blog/portugal-immigration-stories/

permanent residence

In order to obtain permanent residence, a Russian citizen must live legally in Portugal for 5 years and confirm that during this time he did not leave the country for more than 183 days a year.

A foreigner must demonstrate knowledge of the Portuguese language at a basic level, for this he will have to pass an exam. The applicant also needs to prove his solvency - show an account statement, a certificate of salary or company income. In addition, you need to provide documents confirming registration with the tax inspection and social insurance authorities.

Hired workers must confirm their qualifications and have an invitation letter from the employer. Students provide a certificate of enrollment in the educational institution. And for those reuniting with their family, a birth or marriage certificate.