Portuguese Citizenship
If you wish, you are entitled to apply for Portuguese citizenship after living in Portugal for six or more uninterrupted years. You will need to speak to the SEF to acquire a document proving you’ve been living in Portugal for over six years. You also need to complete a language test and a criminal record check. The authorities will expect to see a birth certificate, proof of current and past addresses, and your residency card.
The citizenship process can take time, and cost up to €200. However, if you’re able to meet the requirements, you become a fully-fledged citizen of Portugal. You will have a Portuguese EU passport, and rights to vote in national elections.
Based on feedback from residents it would appear that applying in Lagoa area is a relatively simple one for EU citizens and third country citizens. Individuals can chose to manage the process themselves or alternatively engage an agent to manage the process for them.
The general process is as follows, request appointment at the local government building in Lagoa (details below) then attend an interview where you must produce confirmation of address, bank details and passport as a minimum.
Camara Municipal de Lagoa
Lagoe Municipality
Largo do Municipio
8401-851 Lagoa
Phone: +351 282 380 400
Fax: +351 282 380 444
Website: https://www.cm-lagoa.pt/index.php/pt/
If you wish, you are entitled to apply for Portuguese citizenship after living in Portugal for six or more uninterrupted years. You will need to speak to the SEF to acquire a document proving you’ve been living in Portugal for over six years. You also need to complete a language test and a criminal record check. The authorities will expect to see a birth certificate, proof of current and past addresses, and your residency card.
The citizenship process can take time, and cost up to €200. However, if you’re able to meet the requirements, you become a fully-fledged citizen of Portugal. You will have a Portuguese EU passport, and rights to vote in national elections.
Based on feedback from residents it would appear that applying in Lagoa area is a relatively simple one for EU citizens and third country citizens. Individuals can chose to manage the process themselves or alternatively engage an agent to manage the process for them.
The general process is as follows, request appointment at the local government building in Lagoa (details below) then attend an interview where you must produce confirmation of address, bank details and passport as a minimum.
Camara Municipal de Lagoa
Lagoe Municipality
Largo do Municipio
8401-851 Lagoa
Phone: +351 282 380 400
Fax: +351 282 380 444
Website: https://www.cm-lagoa.pt/index.php/pt/
Residency (EU Citizens)
Any EU citizen staying in Portugal for more than 90 days has to get temporary residency in Portugal. You do this by applying for a registration certificate. (The Certificado do registo de cidadão da União Europeia). This is the first step towards residency in Portugal.
Workers will need to produce a valid identity document, and also a declaration that they are employed or self-employed in Portugal. Meanwhile, the official guidance says pensioners must declare they have adequate financial resources and show proof of identity and healthcare.
In reality, different câmaras (town halls) often produce a very different list of requirements. it’s not unheard of for people seeking this initial residency in Portugal to need to produce:
When you visit the câmara, you also need some passport-sized photographs and usually a small payment of around €12 for the document. If you don’t speak Portuguese, it generally helps to take someone with you who can.
Any EU citizen staying in Portugal for more than 90 days has to get temporary residency in Portugal. You do this by applying for a registration certificate. (The Certificado do registo de cidadão da União Europeia). This is the first step towards residency in Portugal.
Workers will need to produce a valid identity document, and also a declaration that they are employed or self-employed in Portugal. Meanwhile, the official guidance says pensioners must declare they have adequate financial resources and show proof of identity and healthcare.
In reality, different câmaras (town halls) often produce a very different list of requirements. it’s not unheard of for people seeking this initial residency in Portugal to need to produce:
- An atestado. This is a document issued by the local Junta (village hall), which proves you live where you say. Usually, this requires two local residents to vouch for your identity
- An employment contract (translated if not in Portuguese)
- Bank statements covering the previous three months – to show adequate funds
- Proof of private healthcare (for retirees, an S1 form from the UK is usually adequate)
- Proof of your address (a mortgage statement or tenancy agreement)
- Your passport
When you visit the câmara, you also need some passport-sized photographs and usually a small payment of around €12 for the document. If you don’t speak Portuguese, it generally helps to take someone with you who can.
Residency (Non-EU Citizens)
If you’re not from the EU, you’ll need to do some detailed research on what you require to move to Portugal. You will probably need a Schengen Visa to initially enter the country. After this, you apply for a residence permit. This differs from EU registration. You can get this Autorização de Residência from the SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras), rather than the town hall.
Many of the requested documents are the same as those listed above. However, as a non-EU arrival, you will likely deal with stricter requirements with regard to proving your income and your access to fully-paid medical care. Non-EU visas are usually for one or two years at a time, renewable for up to five years.
If you’re not from the EU, you’ll need to do some detailed research on what you require to move to Portugal. You will probably need a Schengen Visa to initially enter the country. After this, you apply for a residence permit. This differs from EU registration. You can get this Autorização de Residência from the SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras), rather than the town hall.
Many of the requested documents are the same as those listed above. However, as a non-EU arrival, you will likely deal with stricter requirements with regard to proving your income and your access to fully-paid medical care. Non-EU visas are usually for one or two years at a time, renewable for up to five years.
Vehicles
The Government Traffic Department IMTT deals with all aspects of car ownership registration and licensing and the Institute of Registration and Notaries IRN provides facilities where vehicles can be registered and taxed.
Buying a new car
Dealerships selling new cars take care of the registration of the vehicle on behalf of the buyer. Dealerships also often offer insurance deals (it is a legal requirement for all vehicles to have at least third party car insurance).
Buying a Second-Hand Car
It is the seller's responsibility to register the change of ownership using the form Transferência de Propriedade or Contrato verbal de compra e venda. This Form 2 (Modelo 2), available from the IRN, contains information about the vehicle, the previous owner and the new owner. At the point of sale it should be completed and signed by both the buyer and the seller. This transaction must be completed within 60 days of the change of ownership.
Most dealerships will also sell Used Cars.
There are multiple sources of car sales advertising from FaceBook Marketplace, to local newspapers, automobile magazines and online sites.
The Government Traffic Department IMTT deals with all aspects of car ownership registration and licensing and the Institute of Registration and Notaries IRN provides facilities where vehicles can be registered and taxed.
Buying a new car
Dealerships selling new cars take care of the registration of the vehicle on behalf of the buyer. Dealerships also often offer insurance deals (it is a legal requirement for all vehicles to have at least third party car insurance).
Buying a Second-Hand Car
It is the seller's responsibility to register the change of ownership using the form Transferência de Propriedade or Contrato verbal de compra e venda. This Form 2 (Modelo 2), available from the IRN, contains information about the vehicle, the previous owner and the new owner. At the point of sale it should be completed and signed by both the buyer and the seller. This transaction must be completed within 60 days of the change of ownership.
Most dealerships will also sell Used Cars.
There are multiple sources of car sales advertising from FaceBook Marketplace, to local newspapers, automobile magazines and online sites.
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At the point of sale the Seller should provide:
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Registering the new Owner:
A foreign buyer will need to produce the following documents when registering the vehicle at the IRN office.
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If, following the process above, the buyer does not submit the change of ownership documents to the IRN vehicle registration department, responsibility for all fines or accidents involving the vehicle remain the responsibility of the seller. Make a point to confirm that the buyer has completed the transfer process.
Roadworthiness Testing
The IPO is the roadworthiness test of a motor vehicle in Portugal. IPO tests are compulsory and may only be undertaken by a test centre authorised by the (IMTT).
New cars do not need to be tested until they reach four years old.
All cars and motorbikes over 250cc more than four years old must be inspected and tested at an approved garage test centre every two years until the age of seven.
From the eighth year onwards, the vehicle must be tested annually. There are no exemptions for classic cars. A vehicle may be tested 3 months prior to the due date.
The Test Centre will require:
The IPO is the roadworthiness test of a motor vehicle in Portugal. IPO tests are compulsory and may only be undertaken by a test centre authorised by the (IMTT).
New cars do not need to be tested until they reach four years old.
All cars and motorbikes over 250cc more than four years old must be inspected and tested at an approved garage test centre every two years until the age of seven.
From the eighth year onwards, the vehicle must be tested annually. There are no exemptions for classic cars. A vehicle may be tested 3 months prior to the due date.
The Test Centre will require:
- Vehicle ownership document (Titulo de Registo de Propriedade) and Vehicle logbook (Livrete) or
- DUA (Documento único Automóvel) - the new combined registration, licence plate and log book card
- Owner's taxpayer's contribution card or number
- The previous inspection certificate
- A yellow, orange or red reflective danger jacket
- One red reflective warning triangle
- Spare wheel and the tools necessary to change it
