APPLYING FOR residency in Portugal has been simplified following the implementation of new EU regulations.
The Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF), the foreigners and frontiers authority responsible for all residency applications, said reports that new SEF branches were to open in the Algarve were untrue but the residency application process had been made simpler for all EU citizens.
The new residency law, created in August 2006 regulates free circulation of all EU citizens and gives the resident several advantages, such as the right to vote in local elections, the right to apply for an exemption on property tax and greater ease in applying for mortgages and bank loans in Portugal.
New law
A spokesperson for the Albufeira SEF office told The Resident: “A new law was created in August 2006, making the residency process much simpler for all EU nationals.
“This has led to waiting times dropping significantly at our offices and has saved the public a lot of time.”
He added that people now have no real reason not to register and make themselves legal in the country as the process is so simple, all that is needed is a passport.
In the past, the residency application process was notorious for being very time consuming and complex.
Now, when an EU national arrives in Portugal, they are permitted to stay in the country for three months without registering.
Then, if the person decides to stay for longer, they must register with their local Câmara Municipal, a simple process which only requires the photocopy of their passport.
The Câmara Municipal now has the authority to issue a document called a Certificado de Registo, certificate of registration, which is valid for five years.
After five years, if an EU national decides to stay in Portugal for even longer, they must then renew this document by going to their nearest SEF office with a photocopy and the original of their passport to apply for a residency card that is valid for 10 years.
In the Algarve, there are SEF offices in Faro, Albufeira, Portimão and Castro Marim.
For more information visit www.sef.pt and click on the Union Jack, this appears in the top left hand corner of the home page, for the English version. There is also a helpline in seven languages, including English, on 808 202 653.
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