Residency in Portugal after Brexit

Now that the UK has left the EU, is it time to apply for Portuguese residency? / Markus Spiske on Unsplash

20 February 2020, 16:44

With Brexit finally here, one of the biggest questions being asked by British expats is about residency in other countries. If you’re a British citizen living in Portugal and are worried about possible Brexit consequences, then we’re here to put your mind at ease. The most important point to avoid any possible problems is that if you plan to stay in Portugal for a period of more than 90 days then you need to formalise your residency in the country.

How to become a Portuguese resident

Becoming a resident in Portugal is a simple process for British expats, involving a visit to your local “Camâra” (town hall) and obtaining a residency certificate for a cost of 15 euros. There are a series of documents that you will need to take with you.

If you are employed, a pensioner or a student you will need:

a valid identity document, such as your passport
proof of address – this is known in Portugal as the “Atestado de Residência” and can be obtained from your local “Junta de Freguesia” (Parish Council office) with a photocopy of your passport and a copy of your tax number
proof of ownership of a property or if you are renting a house, then you must present your rental contract

If none of the above apply and you aren’t employed or retired then you will need:

a declaration that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family, including written proof that you have sufficient means to live in Portugal without becoming a burden on the state (this could be a bank statement for example)

Applying to be a resident in Portugal will give you a degree of certainty now that Brexit is here, and you’ll have more benefits than if you were just in the country as a tourist. The advice from the government and British Embassy in Portugal is to register as a resident as soon as possible to avoid problems.

For more news on how Brexit may affect British expats, click here.