When expatriating to a new country, a certain number of administrative steps must be taken in order to fully settle in and become an expatriate. This is even more true in Portugal where different authorities issue different important documents, and where it is sometimes difficult to do the administrative steps in the right order. Procedures to become a resident, tax identification number, pet registration, car registration, there are many mandatory steps for those who want to live in Portugal and it is not easy to know how to live in Portugal and be in order. Moving to Portugal entails a number of obligations towards the various state bodies and it is important to comply with these obligations in order to avoid any problems. Any self-respecting expatriate must take these administrative steps in order to settle down fully. What are the administrative formalities and steps to complete to live in Portugal? How can I make sure that I am compliant and that I follow the steps to register to live in Portugal? I’m Lisbob, the expats assistant, and I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about the administrative steps to take when you decide to live in Portugal.
Find out all the procedures, steps and administrative formalities to go to live in Portugal
1. Contribuinte number - NIF
The contribuinte number is the tax identification number in Portugal. Everyone has one, even babies, and it is a mandatory step to access many services, including registration at the health center. This is simply the first and most important step on the list of administrative procedures and formalities to do in order to live in Portugal. The Portuguese Tax Identification Number NIF can be applied for in any Finanças office with an identity document and a proof of residence, whether for a Portuguese or foreign address. It’s a fairly simple administrative process in the end.
In order to obtain it, it is possible to ask for it before leaving to live in Portugal by going directly to my Services page. You won’t have to make any trips and we will take care of the whole process for you.
The contribuinte number is also important because it identifies you from a tax point of view and it is mandatory to communicate it when making purchases. This allows you to deduct invoices from your tax return. You even participate in a draw organized by the Portuguese tax authorities to win a car!
2. CRUE —Certificado do Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia
The certificate of residence in Portugal is more commonly known as CRUE: Certificado do Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia. This is one of the most important documents you need to get when you move to Portugal. This is your authorization to reside in Portugal. Even if the country belongs to the European Union and the Schengen area, and even if you are a European citizen, you will need to have this resident certificate in order to prove your identity and your right to reside in Portugal.
Here are the documents to be presented in order to obtain it according to the different situations as well as an example of this document:
As a European citizen, you have the right to reside in Portugal without taking any particular steps (you must, of course, be able to prove that you belong to the European Union and therefore have a valid identity card or passport). However, if you wish to expatriate permanently in the country, you will have to register as a European resident of Portugal. The Certificado do Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia (CRUE) is to be requested maximum 30 days after the end of the 3 ‘free’ months.
Here’s an example from CRUE
3. Resident’s certificate
The certificate of residence in Portugal is not to be confused with the Resident’s Certificate, the CRUE. In fact, the certificate of residence proves that you are indeed living in Portugal, while the CRUE allows you to do so. Although the nuance is subtle, these are two very distinct documents. The certificate of residence in Portugal will be part of your life as an expatriate once you have obtained the formalization of your right of residence through the CRUE (your certificate of residence as a European citizen legally living in Portugal). If the latter gives you the right to live and work legally in Portugal, the certificate of residence proves that you are effectively and permanently settled in the country.
The administrative procedures and formalities to obtain your certificate of residence in Portugal are quite simple: you must go to the Junta da Freguesia closest to your home.
The steps and administrative formalities to obtain your certificate of residence in Portugal are detailed in this article in 6 steps : just click here !
4. Open a bank account
Among the steps and formalities to be done to live in Portugal, opening a bank account in Portugal is one of the first steps when settling there. Indeed, the opening of a bank account allows you to domicile your income and to benefit from banking services such as debit or credit cards, home loans or international transfers. This is an administrative process that Lisbob can do for you.
The bank account cannot be opened without a NIF in Portugal. It is also necessary to present documents in order to open an account, such as
· Identification: valid national identity card or passport
· Contribuinte number NIF: This is the tax identification number that was given to you by the Finanças. You have normally obtained an A4 document that you will have to present to the bank;
· Tax Notice;
· Proof of address: electricity, water or telephone bill
· Proof of occupation: employment contract, pay slip
Regarding the choice of the bank, you should know that the Portuguese banking system is still suffering from the aftermath of the 2008 crisis and that some banks are still being bailed out by the Portuguese state, such as Novo Banco.
Pets
If you decide to move to Portugal with your pet then you will need to make certain arrangements for your four-legged friend and follow certain steps. Portugal, like other European countries, imposes certain regulations for pets and the ones you will take with you when you move to Portugal will not escape them.
In Portugal registration and licensing is mandatory for all dogs between 3 and 6 months of age. The registration of a pet must be done at the Junta da Freguesia (City Hall) of the area of residence of the owner or keeper of the animal.
All dogs born on or after July 1, 2008, must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. In order to proceed with the registration and obtain the authorization license for your pet in Portugal, you will have to present:
- Animal health bulletin (up-to-date rabies vaccine)
- Electronic identification chip
Some breeds of dogs fall into special categories and require special procedures and formalities.
You can bring your best friend in Portugal but you have to follow some rules
6. Registration with the National Health Service (health insurance) and Centro de Saude
Health is an essential part of a successful expatriation. In order to live safely in Portugal, you must be up to date and, above all, registered with the competent public health authorities. Registration with the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) is the equivalent of health insurance. Access to health care provided by the SNS is through the Centro de Saúde health centers. You must go to the one where you live to register, simply by presenting your identity card, your Resident’s Certificate and your Portuguese Social Security card. A family doctor will be assigned to you and you will be given a Portuguese health insurance card.
If you have not yet registered for Portuguese health insurance, Lisbob advises you to use your European Health Insurance Card. It allows you to be treated and to have access to health care in Portugal, whether it is at the local doctors or at the hospital.
Health is a important topic specially when moving to Portugal
7. Medical insurance
Even though the public health system in Portugal is well ranked, it is recommended that you take out health insurance or if you decide to live in Portugal. Indeed, although public hospitals and clinics provide the same quality of care as the private sector, it is unfortunately not uncommon to have to wait 5 months to have a consultation with a specialist. Mutual insurance and private insurance are subscribed to by only 30% of Portuguese citizens.
By subscribing to a private health insurance plan, you will have access to consultations very quickly, sometimes the same day, at a reduced cost. It costs 30 to 50 euros per month to have a mutual insurance that covers a wide range of benefits and institutions.
8. Car registration
This is one of the most important points to consider when deciding to move to Portugal and one of the most complicated steps to take. Taking your car, or selling it before leaving? This is not a trivial issue. Portugal imposes an import tax, the ISV, on vehicles imported into the country, and foreign car registrations are not spared. This tax can easily reach €20,000 if your vehicle is a little old and a little polluting. Fortunately, there are criteria for exemption. You will have more information by using our simulator in order to be more serene in these steps and administrative formalities.
Once you have made sure that you are eligible for the ISV tax exemption, you still need to go through the car registration process in the right order and, most importantly, with all the documents. In fact, too many foreign car owners have been forced to pay ISV tax or take their car to the impound lot because of a missing document, a misunderstood step or a wrongly filled out form.
You will also need the COC, the Certificate of Conformity of your vehicle. It’s a document that you can order directly on my website, by clicking here.
9. Driver’s license exchange
You hold a driving license without administrative validity and are a resident of Portugal. Did you know that you have to exchange your driving license for a Portuguese one after two years of residence? The license will no longer be recognized by the Portuguese authorities and you must start the process to exchange it for a Portuguese license.
Be careful because if you are stopped with a driving license that is not valid in the eyes of the Portuguese authorities you risk fines of up to €3,000, and even more trouble in the event of an accident!
We have now gone over the administrative formalities and procedures to be carried out in order to live in Portugal. However, as each expatriation is different, certain steps are not included in this chapter. You can contact me for more information on the formalities specific to your project.
