WORK PERMITS IN PORTUGAL

Portugal Info — Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:12 pm

Author: Portugal Info

Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:12 pm

WORK PERMITS IN PORTUGAL

If you don’t qualify to live and work in Portugal by birthright, family relationship or as a national of an EU country (or a European Economic Area country), obtaining a work permit may be difficult or even impossible.

If you’re an EU national, you don’t require official approval to live or work in Portugal, although you still require a residence card (autorização de residência). If you visit Portugal to look for work, you have 180 days in which to find employment or establish a business and apply for a residence card.

EU nationals who come to Portugal to work for a period of less than three months and seasonal workers whose work duration doesn’t exceed eight months, don’t require a residence card.

Employees whose work period will last more than three months and less than 12 months require a temporary residence permit valid for the duration of their employment contract. If the contract is extended, but the total (cumulative) period doesn’t exceed one year, the residence card will be extended for a period equal to the work extension. If the cumulative work period exceeds one year, the renewed residence card will automatically be valid for five years.

Documentation required when applying for work permit/residence permit:

- Passport or identity card

- 2 current passport-type photographs

- Notarized letter from employer stating expected duration of employment

- Proof of health insurance

- Criminal background check

- Proof of housing

Work permits are generally issued for six months initially, renewable at six-month intervals. Work permits must be approved by the Portuguese Ministry of Labour. The process may take up to three months.

Note: Professionals (doctors, lawyers, dentists etc.) must validate their home-nation credentials with an authorized board of Portuguese professionals prior to setting up practice.

VISA TO PORTUGAL

Portugal Info — Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:06 pm

Author: Portugal Info

Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:06 pm

VISA TO PORTUGAL

REQUIREMENTS

All foreigners need a residence card (autorização de residência) to live permanently in Portugal and non-EU nationals may need a visa to enter Portugal, either as a visitor or for any other purpose.

Passports must be valid for up to six months (depending on your nationality) and are required by all, except by European Union nationals and nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Norway and Switzerland holding valid national ID cards. British, Australian, Canadian, American and Japanese need a valid passport.

Citizens of non-EU countries may need to obtain a visa (visto para residência) from a Portuguese consulate in their home country before coming to Portugal to work, study or live.

Visas are required by all for stays of up to 90 days, with the exception of:

- The above mentioned;

- Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Hungary, Israel, Korea (Rep. of), Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela;

- Transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. However, nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Dom Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia and Sri Lanka always require a transit visa, even when not leaving the airport transit area.

All foreigners need a residence card (autorização de residência) to live permanently in Portugal, including EU nationals. Applications must be made at the nearest Foreigners’ Department (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras/SEF) of the Portuguese Ministry of Internal Affairs (there are offices in most major cities).

Non-EU nationals planning to reside permanently in Portugal must obtain a ‘residence visa’ before entering the country. Proof of income is required for both residence and work permits. After obtaining a residence card you must then obtain a Portuguese (blue) identity card (bilhete de indentidade).

When in Portugal you should always carry your foreign or Portuguese identity card or passport. You can be asked to produce your identification papers at any time by the Portuguese police or other officials, and if you don’t have them with you, you can be fined (although this is unlikely).

Permit infringements are taken seriously by the Portuguese authorities and if you’re discovered living illegally in Portugal there are severe penalties, including fines and even deportation for flagrant abuses (which will mean being excluded from Portugal for a number of years).

RESIDENCE CARD

A foreigner residing in Portugal for longer than six months must apply for a residence card (autorização de residência). If you come to Portugal with the intention of remaining longer than six months (e.g. as an employee, student or a non-employed resident), you must apply for a residence card on your arrival.

Documentation required to apply:

- Passport or identity card

- 2 current passport-type photographs

- Notarized letter from employer stating expected duration of employment (if intending to work)

- Proof of health insurance

- Criminal background check

EU nationals who visit Portugal with the intention of finding employment or starting a business have up to six months to find a job and apply for a residence card. However, if you don’t have a regular income or adequate financial resources your application will be refused. Failure to apply for a residence card within the specified time is a serious offence and can result in a heavy fine and even deportation.

There are two kinds of residence permit in Portugal, both issued by the Immigration and Border Control Department. A short-term residence permit is valid from 90 days up to one year. A long-term residence permit is valid for a period of five years, and may be renewed automatically for up to ten years. Beyond that, the applicant must apply for renewal in person. Your passport (if required) must be valid for the entire duration of your residency

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WORK PERMITS IN PORTUGAL

VISA TO PORTUGAL