Guide for expatriates: what to do in Portugal

December 14, 2017

This is the second part of the “Guide for expatriates” article on the steps to take in Portugal once you’ve settled there. If you haven’t yet read the first part, here is the article in question: Guide for expatriates: preparing your move to Portugal.

If you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve decided to move to Portugal. A very good choice, I’m not going to tell you otherwise! But that’s when you start asking yourself a lot of questions, especially about the steps you need to take in Portugal:

Where to start?
Buying or renting?
Building or renovating ?
Which region should I choose ?
How will I be covered for my health?
Who can I trust to help me get set up?
Who can I contact to make sure I’m doing the right thing?
Etc…

Expatriation is an adventure, a turning point in one’s life, and to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible, you need to be well-informed and, if necessary, supported. This is my^2nd expatriation, the^1stbeing our move to England. At the time, I bought myself a book on expatriation in England to make sure we didn’t forget anything and that we did everything according to the rules and laws of the country. It was a good start, but I was still stressed and had the impression that the procedures would be insurmountable, especially in English! My very basic English(let’s face it, we’re not very good at learning languages in France) and my lack of knowledge of the rules in England meant that I couldn’t do all these things on my own. You might say that I could have been supported by my husband, who spoke perfect English! Well, no! He was starting a new job with a new company, so I had to manage on my own.

An evening with friends before we left for the UK!

To tell the truth, I wasn’t entirely on my own – we’d hired a relocation agency to help us with the paperwork and organize properties to view. Linda, the relocation agent, spoke only English, but went to great lengths to make sure we understood each other. I have to admit that nothing can replace the human experience I had with Linda. What I discovered, what I learned in the field, was not mentioned in books. Being accompanied when you don’t know anyone in the country helped me feel more at ease and already more integrated. I knew who to turn to if I needed help, I knew I had someone I could trust and that I wasn’t alone. I can assure you that makes a HUGE difference. In fact, we stayed in touch with Linda for a while and even invited her to our house-warming party.

You’re probably thinking, what’s this got to do with Portugal? We’re on a blog about Portugal, aren’t we? I’m getting there..

This is our^2nd expatriation to Portugal, and you’d think that once you’ve done one, you’d know how it works… But no! So yes, we’re not as afraid to leave as we used to be, but we’re still asking ourselves the same questions. So you look in books, on forums, on Facebook groups, on the Internet… and then you tell yourself that now you won’t need any help because you’ve already lived the experience of being an “expat”. Wrong! We tried to do it ourselves, using our knowledge, skills and experience, and soon realized that we needed help. So we enlisted the help of a law firm for the administrative formalities, and sought assistance with our purchase in Portugal(a complicated story recounted here).

So in this article, I’m going to do my best to enlighten you on the steps to take in Portugal once you’ve settled in, knowing that nothing beats being accompanied!

1. The NIF

Whether you’re looking to rent or sell, the first thing you need to do is obtain your Tax Identification Number (NIF), also known as your “taxpayer number”. The NIF is essential for any steps you take in Portugal (opening bank accounts, leases, acquiring property, etc.). You can do this yourself by going to one of the administrative centers called “Loja do cidadão” with the necessary supporting documents, or you can hire a lawyer to obtain the NIF for you.

2. RNH

To obtain RNH (Non-Habitual Resident) status and ensure that the process runs smoothly, I recommend that you consult a law firm. If you’d like to find out more about this status, I invite you to watch our conference with a lawyer specialized in French residency in Portugal and taxation.

Conference on real estate investment in Portugal in Strasbourg, May 2017

3. European citizenship certificate (certificado de registo de Cidadão da União Europeia)

This document is required to repatriate goods in containers(customs document), to register with the consulate, etc. This document formalizes your right to reside in Portugal.

“As an EU citizen, for the first three months of your stay in your host country, you are not required to apply for a document certifying that you have the right to reside in that country. After three months, you may be asked to register with the town hall (Camara) in order to obtain a certificate of registration. “source

You will need to present a valid identity card or passport and other documents depending on your professional and family situation.

After 5 years of residence, you must apply to the “Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras” for permanent residency(certificado de residencia permanente). You’ll need your identity card, NIF, certificate of residence, proof of income or pensions, and to fill in a form on the spot.

4. Opening a bank account

You’ll need to open a bank account in Portugal and apply for a Multibanco bank(debit) card to facilitate your payments, as Visa cards are not accepted in all shops. This card gives you access to Multibanco services, including payment of electricity, gas and water bills, cash withdrawals and deposits, and access to your balance and latest transactions. However, the debit card(immediate) does not allow you to make online purchases(it lacks the famous cryptogram). To remedy this, you’ll need a credit card.

In Portugal, direct debits (electricitý, water, telephone, insurance, etc.) are free, whereas transfers can be taxed.

As a general rule, the documents to be provided are an identity card́, proof of resources(payslips and tax notices), proof of residence, and the NIF.

As in France, you have many banks in Portugal and it’s not always easy to make a choice. So it’s good to know that Portugal’s national bank is Caixa Geral dos Despositos. In France, you have BCP, a Franco-Portuguese bank, which allows you to open a bank account in Portugal from France.

5. Vehicle registration and driver’s license

Do I register my vehicle or buy a new one in Portugal? Find the answers in the article Registering a car in Portugal.

Regarding driving licenses, if you are a resident of Portugal, and hold a French license with no validity period(pink license), you are required to exchange your license for a Portuguese one after 2 years of residence.

For people with the new format of driving license with a validity date :

“When your license expires, you must renew it in the country in which you usually reside. Your new license may have a different validity period and will be subject to any restrictions and conditions applicable in your host country.” Source

6. Pets

Before you leave, check with the Portuguese consulate to find out what you need to do. Your pet must be identified by a microchip, have an anti-rabies vaccination certificate and a community passport.

7. Children’s schooling in Portugal

Due to the large number of French nationals moving to Portugal, places at the French lycée in Lisbon are becoming scarce. So it’s important to find out at least a year in advance if you want to have a chance of securing a place.

les démarches à faire au Portugal

Otherwise, there are some very good Portuguese and international schools in many parts of Portugal. Find out more in the article: Schooling for French-speaking children in Portugal

8. Health

The healthcare system in Portugal is very different from that in France. Before you consider taking out a mutuelle or insurance policy, it’s important to understand the Portuguese healthcare system. I invite you to read the article on this subject: The health system in Portugal.

The choice of mutual, private or CFE insurance will depend on your personal situation.