Living in Portugal

Coronavirus

You should follow the advice of the Portuguese Government and your local authority. You can also read our Portugal travel advice for our latest guidance.

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Portugal see our coronavirus travel advice.

Stay up to date

You should:

• sign up for email alerts to this guidance
• follow the British Embassy in Portugal and Brits in Portugal on Facebook and Twitter

Attend a citizen outreach meeting

The British Embassy regularly holds events across Portugal for UK nationals. Attend one of our citizen outreach meetings to keep up to date on working and living in Portugal.

You can also:

• contact the British Embassy in Portugal

The Withdrawal Agreement

IfThe Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and provides for a deal on citizens’ rights. It sets out a transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020. During this time you werecan legallycontinue residentto live, work and study in Portugalthe EU broadly as you did before 131 January 2021,2020.

If you are resident in Portugal at the end of the transition period, you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and your rights will be protected for as long as you remain resident in Portugal.

Any rights that are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. will be the subject of future negotiations. Read this guidance page for more information.

YouIn shouldthe checkmeantime, thatmake sure you are correctly registered andas shoulda getresident ain newPortugal. residenceWe documentwill toupdate evidencethis yourguidance rights.as soon as more information becomes available.

You should also read our guidance on living in Europe.

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Portugal.

Residency

If you wereare legally resident in Portugal before 1the Januaryend 2021,of the transition period on 31 December 2020, you shouldwill exchangebe yourable EUto stay.

You must register as a resident documentin Portugal if you want to stay for more than 3 months. To get a newRegistration biometricCertificate card(Certificado usingde SEF’sRegisto), Brexitgo portal.to your local Town Hall (Câmara Municipal). You will need:

Register

• proof onof theaddress
• a portalvalid andpassport
• proof downloadof yourearnings registrationor confirmation,evidence inof thesufficient formmeans to support yourself and your family
• proof of enrolment in a digitalPortuguese document,school withor university, if you are a QRstudent

The code.certificate costs €15 for an adult and €7.50 for a child. This documentcertificate canis benormally usedvalid tofor prove5 youyears.

After are5 residentyears’ residency in PortugalPortugal, whenyou enteringcan orapply exitingfor thea country,Permanent untilResidency youCertificate receive(Autorização yourde newResidência biometricPermanente) also known as a residency card. You must apply before your Registration Certificate expires.

YourYou EUcan residenceapply documentdirectly willwith continueSEF to(Serviço bede acceptedEstrangeiros untile Fronteiras, the newBorders oneand arrivesImmigration orAgency) untilat theany end of itstheir validity.offices. You need to book an appointment by calling SEF:

• from a landline: 808 202 653
• from a mobile: 808 962 690

IfYou will need:

• registration certificate (Certificado de Registo)
• a valid passport
• two passport photographs
• if you werehave livingchanged inyour Portugaladdress, beforeproof 1of Januaryyour 2021new butaddress

You notcan yetuse registered,your Permanent Residency Certificate as proof of ID in Portugal but you needcannot touse keepit as a rangetravel ofdocument. evidenceThe thatPermanent youResidency arrivedCertificate withis intentionvalid for 10 years. You will need to liverenew here.it Theevery Portuguese10 governmentyears hasat nota yetSEF announcedoffice.

Visit the processSEF website for theseEnglish-language registrations.guidance Youon shouldhow regularlyto checkregister SEF’sand websiteapply for updatesresidency.

If andthere are changes to residency registration processes, we will update this page as soon as information is available. You should sign up for updates to this guidance.

For more information:

• read the Border and Immigration Agency (SEF) guidance on residency rights for UK nationals (in English)
• read the SEF’s FAQs on residency
• visit the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs web page (in Portuguese)

Additional support

UK nationalsNationals whoSupport areFund

The residentgovernment inannounced Portugalfunding beforefor 1organisations Januaryto 2021,provide andpractical whosupport needto helpUK withnationals theirwho residencymay registration,have candifficulty getcompleting supporttheir fromresidency organisations funded by the UK Nationals Support Fund.applications. 

This support is only available only to peoplethose who need additional helphelp. toThis secure their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. They may include pensioners, disabled people, people living in remote areas or people who have mobility difficulties.

The Supportservices available includes:for people who need this additional support include:

• answering questions about residenceresidency applications, such as the documents yourequired need and how the application process worksprocedure
• guiding youindividuals through the process, if necessary
• supportsupporting ifpeople youfacing experience language barriers or difficulty accessing online information and servicestechnology

IfIn you,Portugal, orthis someonesupport youis know,being areprovided havingby difficulty completing residence paperwork or have any questions, contact The International Organisation for MigrationMigration. (IOM):

• visitIf theyou IOMor website
• helpline:someone +351you 913know 886may 456
• email:have UKNationalsPT@iom.int

Movingdifficulty tocompleting Portugal

You should:

• check the entrypaperwork, requirementsyou forcan Portugal
• findcontact morethem informationusing about visas on the Portuguesedetails Consulatebelow into Londondiscuss page
• readhow thethey Bordermay andbe Immigrationable websiteto forhelp informationyou.

  The onInternational residencyOrganisation andfor workingMigration in Portugal

(IOM)

Healthcare

EveryoneVisit who is registered as a resident can also register to access the PortugueseIOM nationalwebsite

Helpline: health+351 service913 (SNS)886 on456

Email: the same basis as a Portuguese citizen.UKNationalsPT@iom.int

Healthcare

You should ensure you are properly registered for healthcare as a resident in Portugal. Private health insurance is available but is not mandatory and should not be a substitute for registering for state healthcare.

Once you are registered as a resident in Portugal, you are entitled to state healthcare. You need to register at your local health centre (centro de saúde) and get a user healthID number (Número(health denumber) Utente de Saúde) by showing your residence certificate and your passport.

Read our guidance on how you can register for healthcare in Portugal and how the healthcare system works.

If your UK employer has sent you to Portugal temporarily, your access to healthcare is different. Find out how to access healthcare as a posted worker.

State healthcare: S1

If you havelive ain registeredPortugal S1and formreceive andan wereexportable livingUK inpension, Portugalcontribution-based beforeEmployment 1Support JanuaryAllowance 2021,or youranother rightsexportable tobenefit, accessyou healthcaremay willcurrently staybe theentitled sameto ifstate youhealthcare arepaid either:

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• receivingwill someneed otherto ‘exportableapply benefits’
• for a frontiercertificate workerof whoentitlement livesknown inas Portugalan andS1 commutes to work in the UK

certificate.

Read our guidance on usinghow an S1 form in Portugal to ensureget youan areS1 correctly registered for healthcare.form.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you are resident in Portugal, you must not use your UK-issued EHIC from the UK to access healthcare in Portugal, unless you are a student.student or posted-worker.

IfWhen you weretravel livingfrom in Portugal beforefor 1a Januarytemporary 2021,stay youin mayanother beEuropean eligibleEconomic forArea a(EEA) newcountry UK-issuedor Switzerland, you can use an EHIC ifto you’re:access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:

• athe UKEHIC studentcovers intreatment Portugalthat is medically necessary until your planned return home
• aan UKEHIC Stateis Pensionernot with a registeredreplacement S1for comprehensive travel insurance
• afor frontiermore workerinformation withread aour registeredtravel S1

Applyadvice nowpages forand aadvice newon UKforeign EHICtravel insurance.

You should apply for a Portuguese-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for visits outside of Portugal if you are either:

• registered with Portuguese Social Security (if you are working or the dependent of someone working in Portugal), or
• resident in Portugal and do not have healthcare cover from the UK or another Member State (for example if you are not entitled to an S1), but have a healthhealthcare user number (Número de Utente de Saúde)Saúde).

The Portuguese government has more information on how to apply, (in Portuguese), including an application form which you should complete and hand in at your nearest Social Security office.

AnYou EHICcan isalso notcontinue ato replacementuse foryour comprehensiveEHIC, travelas insurance.

Foryou moredid informationbefore, readduring ourthe guidancetransition onperiod, healthcareuntil when31 travellingDecember in Europe and advice on foreign travel insurance.2020.

You should also read guidance on:

• healthcare and studying abroad
• finding English-speaking doctors in Portugal
• checking your prescriptions are legal in Portugal

Send questions about access to healthcare in Portugal to healthcare.portugal@fcdo.gov.uk

Passports and travel

YouThe shouldrules carryon yourtravel residencewill card,stay asthe wellsame asuntil yourthe validtransition passportperiod whenends youon travel.31 IfDecember you2020. haveDuring appliedthis buttime not yet received your card, carry your certificate of application.

If you havecan notcontinue yetto appliedtravel forto acountries residence card, you should carry evidence that you are resident in Portugal.the ThisSchengen couldarea include a tenancy agreement or aelsewhere utility bill in yourthe name,EU datingwith fromyour 2020.UK passport.

IfCheck youyour cannotpassport showis thatvalid youfor aretravel residentbefore in Portugal, you maybook beyour askedtrip. additionalYour questionspassport atshould thebe bordervalid tofor enter the Schengenproposed area,duration andof your passportstay.

You maycan beapply stamped.for Thisor willrenew not affect your rightsBritish inpassport Portugal.from Portugal.

Passports from 1 January 2021

Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.

From You1 canJanuary apply2021, foryou or renew your British passport from Portugal.

You must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). This requirement does not apply if you are entering or transiting to Portugal, and you are in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

You will need to Renewrenew your passport before bookingtravelling your travel if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may need to show a return or onward ticket and that you have enough money for your stay. You may also have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. YouYour passport may alsobe needstamped tofor showvisits ato returnthese or onward ticket.countries.

Entry requirements

YouFrom 1 January 2021, you will be able to travel to other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism.

To stayThis longeris thana 90rolling days180-day inperiod.

To anystay 180-dayfor period,longer, to work or study, or for business travel, you mustwill need to meet the entry requirements set out by the country to which you are travellingtravelling. to. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit. You may also need to get a visa if your visit would take you over the 90 days in 180 days limit.

Periods of timestay authorised byunder a visa or permit will not count towardsagainst yourthe 90-day visa-free limit. Travel to the UK and the Ireland will not change.

Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area.Area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

Driving in Portugal

TravelDriving tolicence therules UKwill andstay Irelandthe hassame notuntil changed.

Driving31 inDecember Portugal

2020.

For information on driving in Portugal, read our guidance on:

• driving abroad
• road travel in Portugal
• driving licence renewal and exchange
• driving licences in Portugal

YouRegister must exchange your UK driving licence forwith athe PortugueseInstituto one.da IfMobilidade youe werede registeredTransportes as(IMT) resident(in inPortuguese) Portugalwithin on60 31days Decemberof 2020,taking youup haveresidence, 90or daysface froma 1fine.

You Januarycan 2021exchange toan startexpired thisUK exchange.licence Iffor youup areto a2 newyears resident,after youthe haveexpiration 90date. daysAfter from2 theyears, day you registeredwill forhave residency.to pass a Portuguese driving test.

YouAlternatively, can exchange your UK driving licence onfor thea InstitutoPortuguese dadriving Mobilidadelicence e(in dePortuguese). TransportesYou (can do this at any IMT) onlineoffice.

Use portal.your TherePortuguese islicence furtherif informationyou onneed to drive in the IMTUK websiteand (inother Portuguese).

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Find Aftermore 2information years,on yourecognition willand haveexchange toof passdriving alicences in the Instituto da Mobilidade e de Transportes (IMT) guidance (available in Portuguese drivingand test.English).

If you are resident in Portugal and your UK driving licence is lost, stolen or expires, you will not be able to renew it with the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Portugal

Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

Read our guidance on how to import your vehicle into Portugal.

You can read the European Union´s guidance on car registration rules and taxes in Portugal. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so, you will need certificates of exemption.

Working and studying in Portugal

If you wereare legallyregistered as a resident in Portugal on or before 131 JanuaryDecember 2021,2020, you havewill themaintain your right to work,work in Portugal, as long as you remain legally resident.

If you are planning to come to Portugal to work, you may need a visa. Read theour Border and Immigration Agency’s guidance on applyingworking forin aan residenceEU permit as a workercountry.

To apply for a job you may need to provide a:

• UK police certificate
• Portuguese criminal record certificate (in Portuguese) (Certificado de Registo Criminal)
• copy of your UK police record (excluding Scotland)
• copy of your Police Scotland record

You can read our guidance on how to apply for a criminal record in Portugal and in the UK

Frontier

Studying workersin Portugal

If you liveare resident in Portugal andon were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country, before 131 JanuaryDecember 20212020, youyour mayright need a permit to provestudy that you are a frontier worker. We will update this guidance when more information is available.

Studying in Portugal

You will bestay eligible for broadly the samesame, support as Portuguese nationals, as long as you wereremain legally resident in Portugal before 1 January 2021.resident.

Read our guidance on:

• continuing your studies in the EU
• healthcare for students in Portugal

If you are moving to Portugal to study, read the guidance on applying for residence as a student.

Moving to Portugal to study

If you are planning to study in Portugal, make sure you meet all visa requirements before you arrive. Contact the relevant Higher Education provider in Portugal to check what fees you may have to pay.

Read the Border and Immigration Agency’s guidance on applying for residence as a student.

For more information read studying in the European Union.

British qualifications

If you are studying, you may need to have your British qualifications recognised in Portugal. You will need to contact:

• National Academic Recognition Information Centre for honours, masters and PhD degrees
• Direção-Geral da Educação (in Portuguese) for primary, secondary, further education or similar school certificates or diplomas

You can get your diploma or school report officially certified by the UK Legalisation Office.

You can get a local notary (in Portuguese) to authenticate the translation of your diploma or school report.

You can read our guidance on the recognition of UK educational qualifications.

Money and tax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Portugal to ensure you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Portugal have not changed.

If you are a Portuguese resident, you must declare your global income to the Portuguese authorities, no matter which country it came from. Ask the relevant tax authority about double taxation relief.

If you are not a resident, you will only pay tax on income that came from Portugal.

If you are liable to pay tax in Portugal, you should apply for a tax number (Número de Identificação Fiscal or NIF). You will also need a NIF if you intend to buy or sell property, open a bank account or sign long-term rental agreements.

Read guidance about:

• telling HMRC if you leave the UK to live abroad
• the tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• paying income tax in Portugal (in Portuguese)

We recommend you get professional advice on paying tax in Portugal. You can find a financial advisor or find an English-speaking lawyer in Portugal.

National Insurance

Find out if you needcan to pay National Insurance inwhile theliving UKin or social security contributionsPortugal in Portugal.

Banking

Whetherorder UK banks can provide services to customersprotect livingyour inState thePension EEAand isentitlement ato matterother ofbenefits local law and regulation.allowances.

If Your bank or finance provider should contact you ifare theyemployed needor toself-employed makein anythe changesEU to your product or theEEA wayand they provide it. If you have anya concernsUK-issued aboutA1/E101 whetherform, you mightwill beremain affected,subject contactto yourUK providerlegislation oruntil seek independent financial advice.

Read the Moneyend anddate Pension Service guidance on banking,the insurance and financial services changes for more information on cross-border banking.form.

Pensions

Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Portugal.

You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

If you retire in Portugal, you can claim:

• your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension; contact the International Pension Centre to claim
• your Portuguese and UK State Pension from the Instituto de Segurança Social (in Portuguese) if you have worked in Portugal
• pensions from working abroad, if you’ve worked in other EU countries

Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a life certificate from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.

Benefits

Pensions after 31 December 2020

ReadThere ourwill guidancebe no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on entitlementclaiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will get your UK State Pension uprated every year for as long as you continue to live there. This will happen even if you start claiming your pension on or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions explained in the new State Pension guidance.

If you are living in Portugal by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.

If you work and pay social security contributions in Portugal, you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Portuguese pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after 31 December 2020.

If you are considering moving to Portugal on or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.

You whilecan youcontinue areto livingreceive your UK State Pension if you live in Portugal.the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension.

Benefits

You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

CheckYou whichmay still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Portugal. You should:

• read our guidance on which benefits you can claim whileif you live abroad
• use andour howtool to check which benefits you can claim them.
  while you’re abroad

Many income-related benefits such as pension credit and housing benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

You may be eligible to claim some Portuguese social security benefits.

You can request proof of the time you have worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.

Benefits after 31 December 2020

There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming UK benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will continue to receive any UK benefits you already receive. This will continue for as long as you live there and meet all other eligibility requirements.

If you work and pay social security contributions in Portugal, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Portuguese contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after 31 December 2020.

If you are considering moving to Portugal on or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.

Accommodation and buying property

Read guidance on how to buy a property abroad.

If you are buying property in Portugal, you should ask a lawyer who is experienced in land law and property transactions. Make sure that they are registered with the law society, Ordem dos Advogados (in Portuguese).

Some notaries, who are trained lawyers in Portugal, offer an independent property purchasing service known as Casa Simples, Casa Segura (in Portuguese).

If you are thinking of buying a coastal, river or lakeside property, ensure it’s not affected by the 2005 water resources law (in Portuguese).

If you buy rural property, make sure you comply with the law on preventing forest fires (in Portuguese).

Voting

The UK has signed a bilateral agreement with Portugal on UK nationals’ right to vote in local elections. The agreement guarantees that if you were living in Portugal before 31 January 2020 you maintain the right to vote and stand in local elections.

If you movedmove to Portugal after 31 January 2020, you will be able to vote in local elections after 3 years of residency After 5 years of residency you will be able to stand and be elected for local office.

You cannot vote in European Parliament elections.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote

Births, deaths and getting married

If your child is born in Portugal, you will need to register a birth abroad.

If someone dies in Portugal you can:

• read our guidance on what to do after someone dies abroad
• find a list of English-speaking funeral directors in Portugal
• read guidance for UK nationals on bereavements in Portugal

Find out how you can get married abroad.

Find out about notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Portugal.

You may also need:

• to find English-speaking lawyers in Portugal
• to find translators in Portugal.

Pets

IfCurrent you have a pet passport issued by Portugal or another EU member state, you can use it to travel withrules yourwill petstay tothe Greatsame Britainuntil and31 elsewhereDecember in the EU.2020.

AIf GB-issuedyou’re EUtravelling petwith passportyour ispet not valid for travel to the EUfirst ortime Northernyou Ireland.must Youvisit should speak to your vet before you travel to get thea necessary pet travel documents and ensure you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.passport.

Read guidance on:

• on bringing your pet to GB
• travelling with your pet in the EUUK
• travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet

Check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel..

Emergencies

You can dial the European emergency number 112. This is the only emergency number in Portugal.

If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact your nearest British embassy or consulate.

Returning to the UK

Tell the UK and Portuguese authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

If you get healthcare in Portugal through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 and your local social insurance organisation to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.

Disclaimer

Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Portuguese authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.