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.