Portugal Residence Permit for Passive Income Earners

Residence permit for family members

Close relatives can move in with the applicant for family reunion. This opportunity is available to the following categories:

• Spouses (official or de facto).
• Underage children.
• Adult children, unmarried students of Portuguese universities.
• Minor dependent brothers and sisters of  the applicant.
• Dependent parents.

Requirements

1. It is important to show passive income that exceeds  the Portuguese minimum wage per year. In 2022, it is € 705 per month.

   For each relative moving with the applicant, you will need to add  from half (for adults) to a third of this amount (for children).
    
   In fact, officials will assess the adequacy of your income to live in the country. According to experts, the larger the amount you show, the higher are your chances of a positive decision.
    
   The source of income can be pension, business profits, securities, real estate income, intellectual property, etc. The easiest way is to show the entire amount in a bank account.

2. The presence of permanent accommodation. You can buy or rent an apartment or house.
3. No criminal record.

Documents

• Visa application form.
• International and domestic passports or other valid identity documents.
• Pension certificate (if any).
• 2 passport size color photographs.
• Valid medical insurance covering all medical expenses, including emergency medical care and possible repatriation.
• Certificate of no criminal record issued by the country of origin or the country where the applicant has lived for more than one year.
• Proof that the applicant has suitable housing.
• Confirmation that you have sufficient income to live in Portugal. You will need to provide bank statements for 6 months.
• Proof of relationship for accompanying relatives: marriage certificate, birth certificates for children.
• Receipts for payment of fees.

Rights and Obligations

• You should live in Portugal: you must stay in the country for at least 183 days a year, there are no restrictions on the choice of the region.

• By virtue of permanent residence in the country, you become its tax resident. At the same time, for the new residents of the country  there is a preferential taxation regime for non-habitual resident (NHR) for the first 10 years.

  Most of the income received from abroad is not taxed, and a reduced rate is used for income earned within Portugal.

  Previously, there was a zero tax rate for foreign pensions, but from 2020 they are taxed at 10% rate.

• Portugal is part of the Schengen area, therefore, visa-free visits to the countries of the Schengen area are available for residence permit holders.

• You may get access to all types of health care within the national health system under your health insurance.

• Children can go to school and also have access to further stages of education.

• You can work for yourself without restrictions: open an LLC or become an individual entrepreneur, receive passive income. The first residence permit can be issued with the “without the right to work”  tag, but when the status is extended, the ban on employment is usually not applied.

• After 5 years of permanent residence, you can apply for permanent residence permit  and citizenship. In this case, you will need to pass a language proficiency test.