Blanca Valbuena

Things that could lose you your Portuguese Visa

Responsibilities of a Portuguese D7 Visa Holder

I am a huge proponent of people moving to Portugal, particularly Lisbon. I think that the positives far outweigh the negatives of living in Lisbon. However, I think some people look to move here for the wrong reasons. They either look to move here because they think it is cheap and they can live like kings & queens, or worse, they move here because they see it as an easy entry into the EU. I’m here to shatter your bubble. Portugal is not as cheap as it once was (especially in Lisbon), and if you think that once you get your Portuguese Residence Visa that you will be able to galavant all around the EU without actually living here…you may be mistaken. Today, I will outline the responsibilities those of us who have decided to move to Lisbon must abide by in order to maintain our residential status.

Responsibilities of a Portuguese D7 Visa Holder

 

How to Keep Your Portuguese Residence Visa

 

Once you have been approved for your Portuguese residence visa, there are certain things you must do in order not to lose this privilege. Let me give you an outline of some of those things:

  • Renew your permanent residence permit before it expires.
  • If you have a temporary residence permit, you must apply for renewal 30 days before it expires.
  • You must tell the SEF (within 60 days) if you get married, divorced, or have a change to your civil status or place if you move.
  • If you have a Temporary Residence Permit and plan to be outside of Portugal for a consecutive period of 6-months or eight months in total, you must tell the SEF before leaving Portugal.
  • If you have a Permanent Residence Permit and plan to leave Portugal for 24 consecutive months or, 30 months, split up during 3 years, you need to tell SEF before leaving.
  • If you have another type of Long Term Residence, you cannot leave the EU for 12 consecutive months or more. Furthermore, you cannot be out of Portugal for 6 consecutive years.

Is this everything that could get you to lose your Portuguese residency? No. Also, depending on when you read this, things may change or get more strict. Use this post as a good starting point, but don’t forget to check with a Portuguese lawyer and with the SEF if you have a question about something in particular.

Have other questions? Drop them in the comments below.

2 thoughts on “Responsibilities of a Portuguese D7 Visa Holder”

  1. Hi Ginger,

    Yes, after you get the D7 and have resided in Portugal for 5 years, you can apply for permanent Portugal residency.

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