PORTUGAL Law and Practice Contributed by: Miguel Durham Agrellos, Paulo da Rocha Pichel and Ricardo Pereira Amaro, Durham Agrellos
7. Citizenship and Residency 7.1 Requirements for Domicile, Residency and Citizenship Residence Permit Any EU citizen may obtain a residence permit in Por - tugal if: • they have a professional activity as a worker or are self-employed in Portugal; or • they have sufficient funds and are covered by health insurance when the same applies to Portu - guese citizens in their country of origin. Regarding third-country citizens, a residence permit is granted for: • the exercise of independent professional activities; • the exercise of professional activities under an employment contract; • investment activity; • the exercise of a highly qualified activity or teach - ing; • students in secondary or higher education; • interns or trainees; • volunteers; • researchers; and • family reunification. In 2012, Portugal enacted a special permit (expedi - tious and simplified) for investment activities (the so- called Golden Visa). Under this regime, the qualifying investment activities (carried out directly or through a single-member company incorporated in Portugal or in any other EU member state, as long as it has a permanent establishment in Portugal) entitle the appli - cant to a temporary residence permit. Furthermore, the investor’s family members may also benefit from a family reunification permit. The Golden Visa grants the investor the right to remain in Portuguese territory and the right to free movement in the Schengen area. Moreover, after five years, the beneficiaries of the Golden Visa may apply for a per - manent residence permit and, after seven years (in the case of citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries and of citizens of EU member states) or ten years (in
the case of citizens of other countries) for Portuguese (and European) citizenship. Portuguese Citizenship As a rule, if an adult: • legally resides in Portugal for at least seven years, in the case of citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries and of citizens of EU member states, or ten years, in the case of citizens of other countries; • demonstrates, by means of a test or a certificate, sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture, national history and national symbols; • demonstrates sufficient knowledge of the funda - mental rights and duties inherent in Portuguese citizenship and of the political organisation of the Portuguese State; • solemnly declare their adherence to the fundamen - tal principles of the democratic rule of law; • has not been convicted to an effective prison sentence exceeding three years for crimes of ter - rorism, violent and especially violent crime, highly organised crime, crimes against State security or aiding illegal immigration, punishable under Portu - guese law; • does not constitute a danger or threat to national security or defence, notably through their involve - ment in terrorist activities, violent, especially violent or highly organised crime; • is not subject to restrictive measures adopted by the United Nations or the EU; or • has the necessary means to ensure their own sub - sistence, then that person may be granted Portuguese citizen - ship. 7.2 Expeditious Citizenship Currently, there are no expeditious or investment- based routes in force in Portugal for individuals to obtain citizenship.
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