Publication date: 12.05.2024
Lawyer
Registration of residence permit in EU countries. Obtaining a residence permit in Portugal for citizens of Ukraine has been quite a popular topic in recent years. This southern European country attractively combines a comfortable climate, a developed economy and an affordable cost of living, which makes it an interesting place to live. However, the process of obtaining a Portuguese residence permit has its own legal nuances and requirements that you should be aware of in advance.
First of all, Portuguese law defines several grounds for the legal stay of foreigners in the country. The most common are:
1. Employment. This requires an employment contract or confirmation of employment from a Portuguese employer.
2. Implementation of entrepreneurial activity. Opening a business requires an appropriate business plan and investment funds.
3. Studying at a higher educational institution in Portugal.
4. Family reunification with close relatives who already legally reside in Portugal.
5. Participation in the Golden Visa Program by investing in real estate or creating jobs in the country.
The procedure for obtaining a residence permit consists of several stages. First, you need to collect a package of documents, which includes:
- A completed questionnaire of the prescribed format
- Foreign passport valid for at least 3 months
- Documents confirming the purpose of stay (contract, invitation to work, certificate of enrollment in an educational institution, etc.)
- Certificate of criminal record
- Confirmation of residence in Portugal
- Documents on sufficient financial means for living
- Medical insurance
This package must then be submitted to the Service for Foreigners (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) at the place of future residence. After that, the application review process takes place, during which additional documents may be requested.
After the application is approved, foreigners are issued a temporary residence permit for a period of 1 to 2 years. The registration fee can range from 100 to 300 euros, depending on the reason.
The next step after the temporary permit expires is to apply for a permanent residence permit. For this, it is necessary to live in Portugal for at least 5 years on legal grounds and to confirm sources of sufficient financial income.
It is important to remember to observe the validity period of the residence permit and the timely extension of documents. Violation of national legislation, provision of unreliable information, lack of a legal source of income may be grounds for cancellation.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the special favorable regime for Ukrainians who arrived in Portugal after February 24, 2022 due to the war with Russia. For them, there is a program of Temporary Protection, which simplifies the legalization procedure and access to social services.
In general, obtaining a residence permit in Portugal is a fairly formalized process that requires careful collection of all necessary documents and compliance with all requirements of the country's migration legislation. Contacting professional law firms can facilitate and speed up this procedure. But if all criteria are met, foreigners have the opportunity to live comfortably and safely in an attractive southern European country with a favorable climate.
