Your Realty Smart Key
European Union and non-EU residents
There are a number of rules that need to be observed before you can become a homeowner and live in Portugal.
Portugal has its own property system that everyone should be familiar with, even if they only want to live in the country for part of the year. You should also bear in mind that this system changes depending on your country of origin. Residents outside the European Union have different requirements to meet than EU members.
The first thing to do if you want to buy a property in Portugal is to apply for a Tax Identification Number (NIF). This is a simple procedure that can be carried out using Your Realty Smart Key, so you won’t have to wait long and tediously at the counter, especially if you don’t speak the language.
If you intend to live in Portugal, you will need to inform the authorities.
Portugal has its own property system that everyone should be familiar with, even if they only want to live in the country for part of the year. You should also bear in mind that this system changes depending on your country of origin. Residents outside the European Union have different requirements to meet than EU members.
The first thing to do if you want to buy a property in Portugal is to apply for a Tax Identification Number (NIF). This is a simple procedure that can be carried out using Your Realty Smart Key, so you won’t have to wait long and tediously at the counter, especially if you don’t speak the language.
If you intend to live in Portugal, you will need to inform the authorities.
- European Union (EU) citizens do not need to notify their presence on arrival in Portugal. EU citizens and their families (if they are also EU citizens) must apply for a registration certificate in order to reside in Portugal for more than 3 months. This certificate must be requested from the Town Hall of their place of residence within 30 days of their arrival in Portugal. It is valid for 5 years from the date of issue or until the planned end date of residence, whichever is less.
- Non-EU citizens who have entered Portugal via an uncontrolled border must notify the SEF of their presence in the country within 3 working days (except if they already have a residence permit valid for more than 6 months).
- All non-EU nationals living in a hotel or similar establishment are obliged to notify the SEF in order to obtain a residence permit.