Guidance Guidance

Living in Portugal

OfficialInformation informationBritish forcitizens UKmoving nationalsto or living in orPortugal movingneed to Portugal,know, including guidance on residency, healthcare,healthcare and passports.driving.

From:
Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
22 March 2013
Last updated
724 JuneSeptember 2021 — See all updates

What

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The Withdrawalfor Agreement

Ifdetailed youguidance wereabout legallycitizens’ resident in Portugal before 1 January 2021, your rights willunder be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement.Agreement.

Coronavirus

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Visas and residency

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Your EU residence document will(Registration continueCertificates toissued beby accepted until the newtown onehalls arrives or untilCertificates theof endPermanent ofResidence itsissued validity.

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If you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021.

For2021 moreand information,have checkan SEF’sEU Brexitresidence portal or phone SEF’s Brexit helpline (+351 21 711 50 45).

document

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Read our guidance on howusing toan importS1 yourform vehiclein into Portugal. to ensure you are correctly registered for healthcare.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

YouIf canyou readare theresident Europeanin Union´sPortugal, guidanceyou must not use your UK-issued EHIC or GHIC to access healthcare in Portugal, unless you are a student or a detached (posted) worker. Current EHICs will remain valid until the expiry date on carthe registrationcard.

If rulesyou andare taxesliving in Portugal. Youyou may be exempteligible fromfor somea ofnew theseUK-issued taxes.EHIC Ifor so,GHIC if you’re:

  • a UK student in Portugal
  • a UK State Pensioner with a registered S1
  • a frontier worker with a registered S1

The card you receive will needdepend certificateson ofwhen exemption.you moved to Portugal.

Working

Apply innow Portugal

for a new UK EHIC or GHIC.

IfYou should apply for a Portuguese-issued EHIC for visits outside of Portugal if you wereare legallyeither:

  • registered with Portuguese Social Security (if you are working or the dependent of someone working in Portugal), or
  • resident in Portugal beforeand 1do Januarynot 2021,have healthcare cover from the UK or another Member State (for example if you are not entitled to an S1), but have thea righthealthcare user number (Número de Utente de Saúde)

The Portuguese government has more information on how to work,apply, asincluding longan asapplication form which you remainshould legallycomplete resident.and hand in at your nearest Social Security office. Your Portuguese-issued EHIC will be sent to you by post.

ReadAn EHIC or GHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance.

If you’re leaving the DepartmentUK with medicine that contains a controlled drug, check with the embassy about the rules for Internationalthe Trade’scountry you’re going to before you travel and the NaTHNaC guidance on travelling with medicines..

You should also read guidance on:

andSend signquestions upabout foraccess theirto updates.healthcare in Portugal to healthcare.portugal@fcdo.gov.uk

Working in Portugal

If you are planning to comemove to Portugal toand work, you may need a visa.

Read the Portuguese Border and Immigration Agency’s guidance on applyingworking forin Portugal as a residenceforeign permitnational asand how to get a workervisa.

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

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

Frontier workers

IfRead:

If anotheryou EUwere orliving EFTAin country,Portugal before 1 January 2021

You have the right to work under the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you maylive needin aPortugal permitand were regularly commuting to provework thatin youanother areEU aor frontierEFTA worker.country Webefore will1 updateJanuary this2021, guidanceread whenour moreguidance informationfor isfrontier available.workers.

StudyingProfessional inand Portugalacademic qualifications

You willmay beneed eligibleto forget broadlyyour theprofessional samequalification supportrecognised asif Portuguese nationals, as long as you werewant legallyto residentwork in Portugala beforeprofession 1that Januaryis 2021.regulated in Portugal.

Read our guidance on:

If you arewere movingliving toin Portugal tobefore study,1 readJanuary the guidance on applying for residence as a student.

Moving to Portugal to study2021

If youthe arerelevant planningregulator toin studyPortugal inofficially Portugal,recognised makeyour sureprofessional youqualification meetbefore all1 visaJanuary requirements2021, beforeor you travel.

Contactstarted the relevantrecognition higherprocess educationby providerthis indate, Portugalmake tosure checkyou whatunderstand feesthe youterms mayof haveyour torecognition pay.decision.

ReadSeek theadvice Borderfrom andthe Immigrationregulator Agency’sif guidanceneeded on(NARIC applyingand/or for residence as a studentE-Portugal.).

For

Recognition moreand informationlegalisation readof studyingUK inacademic the European Union.

British qualificationsdocuments

If you are studying, you may need to have your BritishUK qualifications recognised in Portugal. You can read our guidance on the recognition of UK educational qualifications (in English and Portuguese).

You will need to contact:

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.

Studying in Portugal

YouIf canyou readplan to study in Portugal, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Contact the relevant higher education provider in Portugal to check what fees you may have to pay. Read guidance on:

Read our guidance onon:

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

Money

Moving to Portugal to study

If you are planning to study in Portugal, make sure you meet all visa requirements before you travel.

Contact the relevant higher education provider in Portugal to check what fees you may have to pay.

Read guidance on:

If you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021

The studying in the European Union guidance includes specific information for those who were already living in Portugal before 1 January 2021.

Money, tax and banking

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Portugal to ensure you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

If you are liable to pay tax in Portugal, you should apply for a tax number (Número de Identificação Fiscal or NIF).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.

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Portugal. Find a financial advisor or an English-speaking lawyer in Portugal.Portugal.

The British embassyEmbassy in Portugal does not provide advice on tax issues. You should contact the Fiscal Authority (Autoridade Tributária) if you have questions on tax in Portugal. (in Portuguese).

If you live in Portugal

If you live in Portugal, you do not need to appoint a tax representative. If you wish, you can appoint one to act as the point of contact between you and the tax authorities

You must declare your total income to the Portuguese authorities, no matter which country it is sourced from. Ask the relevant tax authority about double taxation relief (in Portuguese).Portuguese) before 30 June 2022. This is a legal requirement.

If you are not resident in Portugal, you only pay tax on income made in Portugal.

If you are resident in the UK but have property or business in Portugal

If you are resident in the UK,UK, but have property or a business in Portugal, you must appoint a tax representative before 30 June 2022. This is a legal requirement.

If you are not resident in Portugal, you only pay tax on income made in Portugal.

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.

Read guidance about:

Weincluding recommendonline youshopping getfrom professionalthe adviceUK

  • EU guidance on payingcustoms taxincluding inpreferential Portugal. You can find a financial advisororigin
  • EU orguidance findon anexcise English-speaking lawyerduties in Portugal.

    • National Insurance

    Find out if you need to pay[pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributionscontributions] (https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-if-you-go-abroad) in Portugal.

    BankingUK banking

    Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA isdepends aon matter of local lawlaws and regulation. Your bank or finance provider should contact you if they need to make any changes to your product or the way they provide it. If you have any concerns about whether you might be affected, contact your provider or seek independent financial advice.

    Read the Money and Pension ServiceService’s MoneyHelper guidance on banking, insurance and financial services changes for more information on cross-border banking.

    Pensions

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

    YouIf willyou needare tomoving or retiring abroad, you must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and taxtax.

    Read our State Pension guidance if you arehave movinglived in Australia, Canada or retiringNew abroadZealand. and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

    If you retire in Portugal, you can claim:

    Read the Money and Pension ServiceService’s MoneyHelper guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

    Life certificates for UK State Pensions

    If you get a ‘life certificatecertificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you needmust to respond as soon as possible.possible Your- your payments may be suspended if you don’t.do not.

    Benefits

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

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

    Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.

    Many income-related benefits such as pensionPension creditCredit and housingHousing benefitBenefit 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 from HMRC of the time youyou’ve have worked in the UK fromand HMRCof your UK National Insurance record.

    To check if you are askedentitled forto this.Portuguese benefits, contact Segurança Social (in Portuguese).

    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).

    Importing personal belongings to Portugal

    If you want to bring personal belongings and used household goods to Portugal, you need a baggage certificate from the Portuguese Consulate in your current country of residence. You only need to do this if you have lived outside the EU for more than 12 consecutive months.

    For information on how to apply for a baggage certificate from the UK,UK, see the Portuguese Consulate-General’s website.

    Driving in Portugal

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

    If you are resident in Portugal, you should exchange your UK driving licence for a Portuguese one by 31 December 2021.

    You can exchange or register your driving licence on the Instituto da Mobilidade e de Transportes (IMT) online portal. There is further information on the IMT website (in Portuguese).

    If you do not exchange your licence immediately, you must register it with the IMT. You must do this within 60 days from the date you obtained your residence certificate.

    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.

    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 on or before 31 January 2020 you maintain the right to vote and stand in local elections.

    If you moved to Portugal after 31 January 2020, you will be able to vote in local elections after 3 yearsyears’ residency. of residency After 5 yearsyears’ residency, 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:

    Births, deathsdeaths, marriage and gettingcivil marriedpartnerships

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

    If someone dies in Portugal you can:

    Published 22 March 2013
    Last updated 724 JuneSeptember 2021 + show all updates

    1. Visas and residency section updated with new guidance for people living in Portugal before 1 January 2021 about requesting biometric residence documents.

    2. Guidance reviewed for Money, tax and banking, Benefits, Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships, and Useful information sections.

    3. Guidance reviewed for Passports and travel, Healthcare, Working in Portugal, Professional and academic qualifications, Studying in Portugal, Emergencies, and Returning to the UK sections.

    4. Professional qualifications section updated for British citizens who are moving or moved to Portugal after 1 January 2021 and those living there since before 1 January 2021.

    5. Working in Portugal section updated: new guidance for frontier workers

    6. Money and Tax section updated with information on new legal requirement to appoint a tax representative for non-residents with property or a business in Portugal; Accommodation section updated with new information on importing personal belongings to Portugal

    7. Visas and residency section updated on how to register if you have been living in Portugal since before 1 January 2021 and have not yet registered

    8. Additional support section updated with link to guidance on UK Nationals Support Fund, healthcare section updated including guidance on the S1 form and applying for EHIC and GHIC cards; working in Portugal section updated with links to Department for International Trade (DIT) guidance on working or providing services and DIT guidance on recognition of professional qualifications.

    9. Driving section updated: exchange your UK licence by 31 December 2021

    10. Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines

    11. Visas and residency section updated with latest guidance on registration.

    12. Updated as the transition period ends with new information on residency, pet travel and moving to Portugal

    13. Passports and travel section updated on carrying proof of residence when travelling.

    14. Healthcare section updated on how to apply for a new UK EHIC as a student or S1 holder. Working section updated with information on frontier workers.

    15. Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021

    16. Visas and residency section updated to include detailed information on how to apply for residency

    17. Visas and residency section updated to include information about how to access the UK National Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications

    18. Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.

    19. Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement

    20. Brexit Update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.

    21. EU Exit update: updated information about voting rights added to the ´Voting after the UK leaves the EU´ section.

    22. EU Exit update: announcing our new healthcare email contact

    23. We've updated the section on driving in Portugal.

    24. EU Exit update: new information about validity added to passports section

    25. EU Exit update: added in EU Exit information in healthcare, visas and residency, driving and working sections

    26. We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.

    27. Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip

    28. EU Exit update: updated information on access to healthcare

    29. EU exit update - updated information on pensions and driving

    30. EU Exit Update; The Portuguese government has produced a leaflet with more information on your residency rights after the UK leaves the EU.

    31. EU Exit update: Added in link to information about upcoming outreach meetings in Portugal.

    32. EU Exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in Pets section. In addition: Updated information on subject access request - amended website links.

    33. Added important specific information on certifying UK educational documents and on Subject Access Request.

    34. Updated May 2018

    35. Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.

    36. Attached updated Driving Licences leaflet and added updated Car Importation Leaflet.

    37. Updated December 2017

    38. Update July 2017

    39. Updated May 2017

    40. Information updated 9 March 2017

    41. We are currently updating our information on driving licences in Portugal. Revised information will be available shortly.

    42. General information amended and property advice added

    43. Information added on changes to rules for EHIC and early retirees from July 1 2014.

    44. Instructions for signing life certificates for UK state pensions updated

    45. First published.

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