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 getobtain 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 for this guidance
• follow the British Embassy in Lisbon on Facebook and Twitter
• sign up for Portugal travel advice email alerts for updates including changes to COVID-19 rules

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. You shouldThese readare theseindicated inwith addition to the rest of the guidance in each section.sub-headings.

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

Coronavirus

FollowYou should follow the advice of the Portuguese governmentGovernment and your local health authority. You shouldcan also read theour Portugal travel advice.

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

Visas and residency

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

Check the entry requirements for Portugal.

If you plan to live in Portugal, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.

Read:

• the Portuguese government’s entry requirements for PortugalPortugal)
• 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

Visas

If and residency if you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021

If you werehave livinglived 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 the 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.

For more information:

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

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

ToYou should apply to exchange your EU residence document for a biometric residence permit,permit. youYou need to:

• register on theSEF’s SEF 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 sendgive you an appointment at a town hall designated for biometric data collection. SEF will contact you when they start sending appointmentscollection

Your valid EU residence document willshould continue to be accepted until it expires, or until you receive your new biometric residence permit.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 gricrp.cc@sef.ptbrexit@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, for example rental agreements, utility bills, etc.2021

If you receive an email from SEF requesting additional documentation, you must respond within 10 working days. AfterIf the 10 days,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,Portugal and is valid until you receive your new biometric card is issued
• wait for SEF to give you an appointment at a town hall designated for biometric data collection. SEF will contact you when they start sending appointmentscollection

Portugal considers dual nationals to be in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you arewere aliving dualin citizenPortugal ofbefore the1 UKJanuary and2021: anfamily EUmembers country,joining you should register your residency with your European nationality. You still have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Family members

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

ReadSee 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.

Passports

For andmore travel

information:

Coronavirus

• check travelSEF’s restrictionsBrexit portal mayor affectphone travelSEF’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 andcomplete your residence application, read UK Nationals Support Fund.

Support from Portugal.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 fromin Portugal.

Check the Portugal 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 or/ European Free Trade AssociationArea (EFTA) country, in addition to your British citizenship, you should enter and leave Portugal using your EU or/ EFTA passport.

If you stay in Portugal with a Portuguese residence permit or long stay visa, this time 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 carddocument 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. IfOther youevidence weremay livingbe inyour Portugaltenancy beforeagreement 1or Januarya 2021utility butbill havein notyour yetname, applieddating forfrom a2020. residenceIf card, carry evidence that you arehave residentapplied infor, Portugal.but Thisnot couldyet includereceived, ayour tenancyresidence agreementdocument, orcarry a utility bill in your name,certificate datingof from 2020.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 youra 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.

Travel Private health insurance is available but is not intendedmandatory toand covershould healthcarenot costsbe ifa yousubstitute livefor overseasregistering for state healthcare.

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

IfEveryone youwho areis registered as a resident,resident youcan shouldalso register withto access the Portuguese national health service (SNS).(SNS) Youon will have the same benefitsbasis as a Portuguese citizen.

WhenYou should ensure you are properly registered for healthcare as a resident in Portugal,Portugal. askPrivate forhealth insurance is available but is not mandatory and should not be a healthcaresubstitute userfor numberregistering (Númerofor destate Utentehealthcare.

Once deyou Saúde)are registered as a resident in Portugal, register at your local health centre (centro de saúde).saúde) Youand willget needa tohealthcare showuser number (Número de Utente de Saúde) by showing your residence certificate and your passport.

Read theour Portuguese government guidance on accesshow toyou healthcare for residents.

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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,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 EUMember countryState (ie,(for example if you are not entitled to an S1), but have a healthcare user number (Número de Utente de Saúde)

ReadThe the Portuguese government has more information on how to apply, forincluding aan Portuguese-issuedapplication EHICform (inwhich Portuguese),you includesshould thecomplete application form. Complete this and hand it 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 within medicinesEurope.
• advice on foreign travel insurance
• bringing medicine containing a controlled drug into the UK

Send any 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
• working in an EU country
• 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 have a biometric residence permit, or have applied for one.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.

IfSeek you’re not sure, you should get advice from the relevant 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
• studyinghealthcare for students in Portugal

If you are moving to Portugal to study, read the Europeanguidance Unionon 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:

• Portuguese Border and Immigration Agency’s guidance on 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 iffor youthose who were already living in Portugal before 1 January 2021.

TaxMoney, tax and banking

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Portugal soto thatensure you do not pay tax on certainthe 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 aone taxto representativeact as yourthe point of contact withbetween you and the tax authorities.

You must declare your total income to the Portuguese authorities, no matter which country it comesis 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 ifin youPortugal
• EU getguidance aon pensiontax and livecustoms, abroadincluding online shopping from the UK 
• EU guidance on payingcustoms incomeincluding taxpreferential in Portugalorigin
• EU factsheet on buyingEU goodsguidance onlineon fromexcise UK websitesduties

National insurance and social security contributionsInsurance

National Insurance-type contributions (NIC) are called ‘social security contributions’ (SSC) in Portugal. 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.

UK banking

YouWhether canUK requestbanks proofcan fromprovide HMRCservices ofto thecustomers timeliving you’ve worked in the UKEEA anddepends youron UKlocal Nationallaws Insuranceand record.regulation.

Read guidancethe on:

• nationalMoney insuranceand forPension workersService’s fromMoneyHelper theguidance UKon workingbanking, ininsurance theand EEAfinancial orservices Switzerlandchanges
• social security contributions for workersmore cominginformation toon thecross-border UK from the EEA or Switzerland

banking.

BenefitsPensions

UK benefits

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

CheckIf which UK benefits you canare claimmoving whileor retiring abroad, andyou howmust totell claimthe them.

ManyUK income-relatedgovernment benefitsoffices suchthat asdeal Pensionwith Credityour and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Portuguese benefits

To check if you are entitled to Portuguese benefits, contactpension Segurançaand Social (the public social security system) (in Portuguese).tax.

Pensions

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

Read 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.possible Your- your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Money and bankingBenefits

WhetherRead our guidance on entitlement to UK banksbenefits canand providepensions serviceswhile toyou customersare living in Portugal.

If you are moving or retiring abroad, you must tell the EEAUK dependsgovernment onoffices localthat lawsdeal with your benefits, pension and regulation.tax.

ReadCheck thewhich MoneyUK benefits you can claim while abroad and Pensionhow Service’sto MoneyHelperclaim guidancethem.

Many onincome-related banking,benefits insurancesuch as Pension Credit and financialHousing servicesBenefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more informationthan on4 cross-borderweeks.

You banking.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

YouFor cannotinformation renewon or replace your UK driving licence if you live in Portugal.Portugal, Youread mustour exchange your licence for a Portuguese one. You do not need to take a test. You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of exchanging your licence.

The British and Portuguese governments continue to negotiate long-term arrangements for the recognition of UK driving licences. If you are resident in Portugal and need to drive, you should not wait for negotiations to conclude before exchanging your valid UK licence.

Read the guidance on what you must do to drive in Portugal:on:

• whatdriving you need to drive in the EUabroad
• drivingroad licencetravel rules in Portugal if you live there
• roaddriving travellicence inrenewal Portugaland exchange

If you liveare resident in Portugal, you should exchange your UK driving licence for a Portuguese one by 31 December 2022.

You can exchange or register your driving licence on the Instituto da Mobilidade e de Transportes (IMT) online portal. byThere 31is Decemberfurther 2022.information on the IMT website (in Portuguese).

If you do not exchange your licence immediately, you must register it with the IMTIMT. using the online portal. You must do this within 60 days offrom the issue date onyou obtained your residence certificate.

WhenIf you exchangeare yourresident driving licence, you will be issued with a ‘guia’ (temporary driver’s permit) which you can use to drive until your new licence arrives. You can only drive in Portugal withand this permit.

Exchanging your Gibraltar,UK Jersey,driving Guernsey or Isle of Man licence

If youis havelost, astolen licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or theexpires, Isle of Man, you mustwill exchangenot itbe withinable 90 days of the issue date on your residence certificate.. You can exchange categories AM, A1, A2, B1, B and BE without having to takerenew a test.

Disabled drivers

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Portugal, you must return it towith the original UK issuingDriver authority.and YouVehicle canLicensing applyAgency for a new Portuguese disabled parking card (in Portuguese)(DVLA).

Read the EU guidance on the EU parking card for people with disabilities

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Portugal

Read guidanceour on:

• guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK
• .

  Read our guidance on how to import your vehicle into Portugal

• tax (in Portuguese)

.

Driving outside Portugal with a Portuguese licence

You can useread yourthe PortugueseEuropean licenceUnion´s whenguidance visitingon thecar UK.registration Keeprules up-to-dateand withtaxes thein UK Highway CodePortugal

If. youYou gomay tobe liveexempt infrom thesome UK,of youthese cantaxes. exchangeIf yourso, Portugueseyou licencewill forneed acertificates UKof one without taking a test.exemption.

Voting

ToThe driveUK inhas anothersigned country,a inbilateral additionagreement towith yourPortugal Portugueseon licence,UK younationals’ mayright need to applyvote forin anlocal IDPelections. (inThe Portuguese).agreement Youguarantees cannotthat applyif for an IDP with your ‘guia’ (temporary driver’s permit).

Read the EU guidance on:

• EU driving licences and insurance
• driving licence exchange and recognition in the EU

Voting

If you were living in Portugal on or before 31 January 2020,2020 you maintain the right to vote and stand in local elections.

If you moved to Portugal after 31 January 2020, you canwill registerbe able to vote in local elections after 3 yearsyears’ residency. of residence. After 5 yearsyears’ residency, of residence you will be able to stand and be elected for local office. To register as a voter, go to your local parish council (Junta de Freguesia).

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 mustwill register their birth with the local authorities. You can also register the birth with the UK authorities but this is not mandatory. If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passportabroad.

If someone dies in Portugal read our guidance on:

• what to do after someone dies abroad
• bereavement information for Portugal
• 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’reyou movinghave toa Portugalpet withpassport yourissued pet,by readPortugal theor guidanceanother andEU ensuremember state, you complycan withuse theit regulations:

• takingto travel with your pet abroad
• moving to EUGreat countriesBritain withand yourelsewhere pet

in the EU.

A GB-issued EU pet passport is not valid for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland.

To visitYou othershould countriesspeak withto your pet,vet checkbefore theyou rulestravel for the country you’re travelling to. Contact your vet to get the travelnecessary documents your pet needs.travel Ifdocuments youand haveensure ayou’re petcompliant passportwith issuedthe by Portugal or another EU memberPet state,Travel you can use it to travel with your pet to Great Britain and elsewhere in the EU.Regulations.

Read guidance on:

• bringing your pet to Great BritainGB.
• travelling Checkwith that your pet’spet rabiesin vaccinationsthe areEU
• travelling up to date.Northern VetsIreland inwith Greatyour Britainpet

Check cannotthe enterrules rabiesof vaccinationthe detailscountry inyou’re non-UK issued pet passports

travelling to Irelandfor withany youradditional pet

travellingrestrictions withor yourrequirements petbefore inyou the EU

travel.

Emergencies

DialYou can dial the European emergency number 112 in Portugal for the police, ambulance and fire brigade. This is the only emergency number in Portugal.

DialYou can dial the EU 116 000 hotline to report a missing child in the EU country where you live or in another EU country.

If yourIt childalso isprovides at risk of being, or has been, abducted, read the guidance on international parental child abduction; the EU guidance on child abduction and EUsupport guidance on child abduction to anotherthe EUfamilies country.

Read our information if you are a victim of rapemissing or sexual assault in Portugal.children.

If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis,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.