Living in Portugal

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens 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 get 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 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 should read these in addition to the rest of the guidance in each section.

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

Coronavirus

Follow the advice of the Portuguese government and your local health authority. You should also read the Portugal travel advice.

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Portugal, read the 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 Portugal
• more information about visas on the Portuguese Consulate in London page (in Portuguese with English translation)
• the Portuguese Border and Immigration (SEF) website for information on residency and working in Portugal

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

If you were living in Portugal 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 for guidance on residency rights for UK nationals 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

To exchange your EU residence document for a biometric residence permit, you need to:

• register on the 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 send an appointment at a town hall designated for biometric data collection. SEF will contact you when they start sending appointments

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

If you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021 but dohave not haveyet anregistered EUyour residenceintention document

Youto canobtain requestthe anew biometricWithdrawal Agreement residence permitdocument bywith emailingSEF, you should email gricrp.cc@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, forwhich examplecould be your EU residency document or, if you do not have one, rental agreements, utility bills, etc.

If you receive an email from SEF requesting additional documentation, you must respond within 10 working days. After the 10 days, 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 SEF Brexit portal
• download the certificate with the QR code. This is your official proof of residency in Portugal, valid until you receive your new biometric card
• wait

Once foryou SEFhave obtained the QR code, you do not need to givetake further action until you receive an appointmentemail atfrom aSEF townasking hallyou to make an appointment for biometric data collection.

When SEFyou willreceive contactyour email notification from SEF, go to the Brexit portal, login with your credentials and use the schedule icon to choose a date and time for your appointment. Make sure you whendo theythis within startthe sendingtimeframe given appointments in the email.

SEF has started notifying residents in Madeira and in the Azores who come under the Withdrawal Agreement to make an appointment. Residents in mainland Portugal will be notified at a later date.

Portugal considers dual nationals to be in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement. If you are a dual citizen of the UK and an EU country, 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 time in the future. Read more information on who this applies to in the Living in Europe guidance.

Read 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 and travel

Coronavirus travel restrictions may affect travel to and from Portugal.

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

Check the Portugal travel advice 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 Association (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.

If you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021

When you travel, carry your residence card 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. If you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021 but have not yet applied for a residence card, 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 prove that you are 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 your passport is 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 can enter and exit Portugal with a valid passport. You do not need any additional validity on the passport beyond the dates on which you are travelling.

Healthcare

Read our guidance on healthcare in Portugal and make sure you are correctly registered for your circumstances.

Travel insurance is not intended to cover healthcare costs if you live overseas.

If you are registered as a resident, you should register with the Portuguese national health service (SNS). You will have the same benefits as a Portuguese citizen.

When you are registered as a resident in Portugal, ask for a healthcare user number (Número de Utente de Saúde) at your local health centre (centro de saúde). You will need to show your residence certificate and your passport. Read the Portuguese government guidance on access to healthcare for residents.

You can get private health insurance but you do not need to, and it is not a substitute for registering for state healthcare.

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 EU country (ie, you are not entitled to an S1), but have a healthcare user number (Número de Utente de Saúde)

Read the Portuguese government information on how to apply for a Portuguese-issued EHIC (in Portuguese), includes the 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.

You should also read guidance on:

• finding English-speaking doctors in Portugal
• travelling with medicines.

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. (in Portuguese with English translation).

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.

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.

If you’re not sure, you should get advice from the relevant regulator (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.

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 our guidance on:

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

If you were living in Portugal before 1 January 2021

The studying in the European Union guidance includes information if you were already living in Portugal before 1 January 2021.

Tax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Portugal so that you do not pay tax on certain 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 a tax representative as your point of contact with the tax authorities.

You must declare your total income to the Portuguese authorities, no matter which country it comes from. Ask the relevant tax authority about double taxation relief (in Portuguese) before 30 June 2022.

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
• tax if you get a pension and live abroad 
• EU guidance on paying income tax in Portugal
• EU factsheet on buying goods online from UK websites

National insurance and social security contributions

National Insurance-type contributions (NIC) are called ‘social security contributions’ (SSC) in Portugal. Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Portugal.

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

Read guidance on:

• national insurance for workers from the UK working in the EEA or Switzerland
• social security contributions for workers coming to the UK from the EEA or Switzerland

Benefits

UK benefits

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

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.

Portuguese benefits

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

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 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.

Money and 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 for more information on cross-border banking.

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, (in Portuguese), 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. (in Portuguese with English translation).

Driving in Portugal

You cannot renew or replace your UK driving licence if you live in Portugal. You must 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:

• what you need to drive in the EU
• driving licence rules in Portugal if you live there
• road travel in Portugal

If you live in Portugal, you should exchange your UK driving licence for a Portuguese one on the Instituto da Mobilidade e de Transportes (IMT) online portal by 31 December 2022. If you do not exchange your licence immediately, you must register it with the IMT using the online portal. You must do this within 60 days of the issue date on your residence certificate.

When you exchange your 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 with this permit.

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

If you have a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you must exchange it within 90 days of the issue date on your residence certificate.. You can exchange categories AM, A1, A2, B1, B and BE without having to take a test.

Disabled drivers

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Portugal, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority. You can apply for a new Portuguese disabled parking card (in Portuguese)

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

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Portugal

Read guidance on:

• taking a vehicle out of the UK
• how to import your vehicle into Portugal
• tax (in Portuguese)

Driving outside Portugal with a Portuguese licence

You can use your Portuguese licence when visiting the UK. Keep up-to-date with the UK Highway Code

If you go to live in the UK, you can exchange your Portuguese licence for a UK one without taking a test.

To drive in another country, in addition to your Portuguese licence, you may need to apply for an IDP (in Portuguese). You cannot apply 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, you maintain the right to vote and stand in local elections.

If you moved to Portugal after 31 January 2020, you can register to vote in local elections after 3 years of residence. After 5 years 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 must 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 passport.

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

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’re moving to Portugal with your pet, read the guidance and ensure you comply with the regulations:

• taking your pet abroad
• moving to EU countries with your pet

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

To visit other countries with your pet, check the rules for the country you’re travelling to. Contact your vet to get the travel documents your pet needs. 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.

Read guidance on:

• bringing your pet to Great Britain. Check that your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up to date. Vets in Great Britain cannot enter rabies vaccination details in non-UK issued pet passports
• travelling to Ireland with your pet
• travelling with your pet in the EU

Emergencies

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

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

If your child is at risk of being, or has been, abducted, read the guidance on international parental child abduction; the EU guidance on child abduction and EU guidance on child abduction to another EU country.

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

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

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.

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.