Living in Portugal

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens about moving to or living in Portugal. Read about how our embassy in Lisbon and consulate in Portimão can help.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should obtain definitive information from the Portuguese authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

To stay up to date:

• sign up for email alerts
• follow the British Embassy in Lisbon on Facebook and Twitter

If you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021

Some parts of this guide only apply if you were living in Portugal since before 1 January 2021. These are indicated with sub-headings.

You should also read our Living in Europe page for detailed guidance about citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Coronavirus

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

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

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Portugal.

Read:

• the Portuguese government’s entry requirements for Portugal)
• more information about visas on the Portuguese Consulate in London page
• the Portuguese Border and Immigration (SEF) website for information on residency and working in Portugal

If you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021

If you have lived in Portugal since before 1 January 2021, you and your family members have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

You should exchange your EU residence document (Registration Certificates issued by the town halls or Certificates of Permanent Residence issued by SEF) for a biometric residence permit. This permit will show that you have rights defined in the Withdrawal Agreement. It also proves your right to enter Portugal, and exempts you from the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and visa requirements.

If you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021 and have an EU residence document

You should apply to exchange your EU residence document for a biometric residence permit. You need to:

• register on SEF’s Brexit portal
• download the certificate with the QR code. This is your official proof of residency in Portugal and is valid until your new biometric card is issued
• wait for SEF to give you an appointment at a town hall designated for biometric data collection

Your valid EU residence document should continue to be accepted until you receive your new biometric residence permit or until your EU residence document expires.

If you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021 but do not have an EU residence document

You can request a biometric residence permit by emailing brexit@sef.pt.

Your email must include:

• a scanned copy or photo of the details page of your passport
• proof of your address
• proof you were living in Portugal before January 2021

If you receive an email from SEF requesting additional documentation, you must respond within 10 working days. If the 10 days have passed, you should still reply, sending the requested additional documentation.

When your request is approved, SEF will email a personalised digital token that will give you access to SEF’s Brexit portal. You must then:

• register on the portal
• download the certificate with the QR code. This is your official proof of residency in Portugal and is valid until your new biometric card is issued
• wait for SEF to give you an appointment at a town hall designated for biometric data collection

If you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021: family members joining you

Your close family members continue to be able to join you and settle in Portugal at any point in the future. Find more information on who this applies to on the Living in Europe page.

See the Portuguese government’s guidance on how to apply for residence as a family member. Nationals of certain non-EU countries may need a visa before travel.

For more information:

• check SEF’s Brexit portal or phone SEF’s Brexit helpline (+351 21 711 50 45)
• read the SEF guidance on residency rights for UK nationals (in English)
• read the SEF’s frequently asked questions on residency
• visit the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs web page (in Portuguese)

Additional support

If you need additional support to complete your residence application, read UK Nationals Support Fund.

Support from the UK Nationals Support Fund will end on 26 November 2021. You should contact the UK Nationals Support Fund implementing partner before this date if you require additional support. If you are already being assisted by our implementing partner, they will continue to assist you until you have made your application.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport in Portugal.

Check the travel advice for Portugal for passport validity requirements.

Always carry your passport when travelling within the Schengen area. If you have citizenship of an EU / European Free Trade Area (EFTA) country, in addition to your British citizenship, you should enter and leave Portugal using your EU / EFTA passport.

If you stay in Portugal with a residence permit or long stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.

If you visit other Schengen area countries outside Portugal, make sure you do not exceed the visa-free 90 days in any 180-day period. You are responsible for counting how long you stay under the Schengen visa waiver, and you must comply with its conditions.

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

You should carry your residence card, as well as your valid passport when you travel. If you have applied but not yet received your card, carry your certificate of application.

If you have not yet applied for a residence card, you should carry evidence that you are resident in Portugal. This could include a tenancy agreement or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020.

If you cannot show that you are resident in Portugal, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the Schengen area, and your passport may be stamped. This will not affect your rights in Portugal.

If you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021

When you travel, especially within the Schengen area, you should carry with you your residence document or frontier worker permit issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, in addition to your valid passport.

You must proactively show your residence document, or other evidence of residence status, if you are asked to show your passport at border control. Other evidence may be your tenancy agreement or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020. If you have applied for, but not yet received, your residence document, carry your certificate of registration.

If you cannot prove that you are a resident in Portugal, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the EU. Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in the country or countries where you live or work. If a passport is incorrectly stamped, the stamp is considered null and void when you can show evidence of lawful residence.

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you do not need any extra months on your passport to enter or exit EU countries.

Entry requirements

You can 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 stay longer than 90 days in any 180-day period, to work or study, or for business travel, you must meet the entry requirements set out by the country you are travelling to. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit.

If you stay in Portugal with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

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

Travel to the UK and Ireland has not changed.

Healthcare

Read our guidance on healthcare in Portugal and make sure you are correctly registered for your circumstances. Private health insurance is available but is not mandatory and should not be a substitute for registering for state healthcare.

Read the Portuguese government guidance on access to healthcare for residents.

Everyone who is registered as a resident can also register to access the Portuguese national health service (SNS) on the same basis as a Portuguese citizen.

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, register at your local health centre (centro de saúde) and get a healthcare user number (Número de 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. Make sure you are correctly registered for your circumstances.

State healthcare: S1

You may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK if you live in Portugal and you:

• are receiving a UK State Pension
• are receiving some other ‘exportable benefits’
• are a frontier worker who lives in Portugal and commutes to work in the UK
• have been sent to Portugal temporarily by your UK employer

Read our guidance on using an S1 form in Portugal to ensure you are correctly registered for healthcare.

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

If you are resident in Portugal, you 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 the card.

If you are living in Portugal you may be eligible for a new UK-issued EHIC or 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 depend on when you moved to Portugal.

Apply now for a new UK EHIC or GHIC.

You should apply for a Portuguese-issued 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 healthcare user number (Número de Utente de Saúde)

The Portuguese government has more information on how to apply, including an application form which you should complete and hand in at your nearest Social Security office. Your Portuguese-issued EHIC will be sent to you by post.

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

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

You should also read guidance on:

• finding English-speaking doctors in Portugal
• healthcare when travelling in Europe
• advice on foreign travel insurance
• bringing medicine containing a controlled drug into the UK

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

Working in Portugal

If you are planning to move to Portugal and work, you may need a visa.

Read the Portuguese Border and Immigration Agency’s guidance on working in Portugal as a foreign national and how to get a visa.

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

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

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

Read:

• working or providing services in Portugal
• EU guidance on working in an EU country

If you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021

You have the right to work under the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you live in Portugal and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country before 1 January 2021, read our guidance for frontier workers.

Professional and academic qualifications

You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Portugal.

Read guidance on:

• recognition of professional qualifications
• how to get your qualification recognised in Portugal

If you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021

If the relevant regulator in Portugal officially recognised your professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the recognition process by this date, make sure you understand the terms of your recognition decision.

Seek advice from the regulator if needed (NARIC and/or E-Portugal).

Recognition and legalisation of UK academic documents

If you are studying, you may need to have your UK 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:

• 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.

Studying in Portugal

If you plan 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 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 travel.

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

Read guidance on:

• Border and Immigration Agency’s applying for residence as a student
• continuing your studies in the EU
• studying in the European Union
• healthcare for students in Portugal

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). 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.

The British Embassy 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) 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, 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:

• paying income tax in Portugal (in Portuguese)
• appointing a tax representative in Portugal
• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• EU guidance on paying income tax in Portugal
• EU guidance on tax and customs, including online shopping from the UK
• EU guidance on customs including preferential origin
• EU guidance on excise duties

National Insurance

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

UK banking

Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA depends on local laws and regulation.

Read the Money and Pension Service’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.

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

Read our State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

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 if you’ve worked in other EU countries

Read the Money and Pension Service’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 certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible - your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Benefits

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

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

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

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

You can request proof from HMRC of the time you’ve worked in the UK and of your UK National Insurance record.

To check if you are entitled to 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, see the Portuguese Consulate-General’s website.

Driving in Portugal

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

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

If you are resident in Portugal, you should exchange your UK driving licence for a Portuguese one by 31 December 2021.2022.

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 years’ residency. After 5 years’ 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

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnerships

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

If someone dies in Portugal read our guidance on:

• what to do after someone dies abroad
• finding English-speaking funeral directors in Portugal
• bereavement in Portugal

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

You may also need:

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

Pets

If you have a pet passport issued by Portugal or another EU member state, you can use it to travel with your pet to Great Britain and elsewhere in the EU.

A GB-issued EU pet passport is not valid for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland. You should speak to your vet before you travel to get the necessary pet travel documents and ensure you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.

Read guidance on:

• bringing your pet to GB
• travelling with your pet in the EU
• 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 in Portugal for the police, ambulance and fire brigade. This is the only emergency number in Portugal.

You can dial the EU 116 000 hotline to report a missing child in the EU country where you live or in another EU country. It also provides guidance and support to the families of missing children.

If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact the British Embassy Lisbon.

For cases of child abduction read:

• guidance on international parent child abduction
• EU guidance on child abduction to another EU country

Returning to the UK

Check the COVID-19 travel guidance for entering the UK.

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

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.

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

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

If you return to the UK permanently and meet the ordinarily resident test, you’ll be able to access NHS care without charge.

Useful information

Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the FCDO can support you if you get into difficulty.