United States Citizens Moving to Portugal: Demystifying the Paper Trail

Welcome to the 'do it yourself' guide on how to become a resident in Portugal. Even before the Coronavirus pandemic, many changes were underway at the Portuguese offices of SEF (Border Services for Foreigners, often referred to as Immigration and Border Services), which oversees Portuguese immigration matters. A few of these changes are solidly in place while others are still too developmental to be reliable.

We experienced tougher, new application requirements such as a mandatory, funded bank account in Portugal; closed application centers; timelines stretched out three times longer or collapsed to a couple of weeks; the option to mail applications implemented in certain locations, only to be swiftly ended. Sometimes, an aspect of the process or the regulations changed without any notice.

For those who bore down and submitted visa applications and then filed for residence permits, it was a extraordinary and often arduous journey. Yet hundreds of people succeeded by sharing tips, tricks, experiences and referencing the fact-based details in this article. They applied for visas and permits themselves, without hiring Portuguese attorneys or 'immigration facilitators'.

Let's face it: the two-step visa and residency processes can be confusing, contradictory and changeable, not to mention geared toward EU citizens. This article is the only single resource that combines input from the various organizations that regulate this process. Focused on the rules for third country nationals, such as Americans and other non-EU citizens, this article reflects the experiences of thousands of applicants who proceeded you, combined with research, legal review and authoritative input from Consulate and Immigration officials, to provide a detailed, step-by-step guide to the process for a D7/D/Type 1 Visa, sometimes referred to as a 'long stay', 'passive income' or 'resident' visa. I'll walk you through not only the requirements and the process, but also comment on how to navigate the system.

What is a D7/D/Type 1 Visa?

Under the broad umbrella of Portugal D visas, and categorized a Type 1 visa in the US and a D7 visa in Portugal, these labels refer to the same thing: a visa valid for 120 days, allowing entrance to Portugal to apply for residency, in order to live in Portugal for more than one year. The D7 is the most common residency visa for U.S. citizens and other third-country nationals. Often referred to as a long-stay, passive income or resident visa, the D7 visa for those who are retired, not working (financially independent), self-employed (remote/digital nomads), employed/working remotely for a company outside of Portugal, or living on passive income from investments, real estate rentals, social security, pensions, and/or a business.

Alternatives to the D7 Visa

Other popular D visa types include:

• D2: Entrepreneur, Employed and Self-Employed Program (Article 88/89). This is for people bringing to or newly establishing a business in Portugal and exists to attract and fast-track highly qualified, educated professionals to work and invest in Portugal. Highly skilled professionals currently working in or who retired in the U.S. might follow this approach to start a business or be self-employed in Portugal
• D4: Student, for students enrolled to study in Portugal
• D6: Family Reunification, to cover family members of a resident or visa-holder

Golden Visa / ARI: A Residence Permit for Investment Activity (ARI), commonly called the Portugal Golden Visa, for non-EU residents. The Golden Visa leads to a residence permit with the possibility of receiving Portuguese citizenship. It requires a qualifying investment in Portugal with a high up-front fee but offers a less stringent requirement for the minimum time living in Portugal per year. Investment options include transferring funds in the minimum amount of �350.000* or investing this amount or more toward the arts; creating a minimum of 10 jobs; or acquiring property valued at �500.000+ or rehabbing a qualified, older property that costs a minimum of �350.000 (or as low as �280.000 in less densely populated areas). The Portuguese government aims to improve this program over the next few years by "fast-tracking residence permits with a preference for those buying in low-density regions, investing in job creation and the arts or cultural heritage and those undertaking urban renewal". You'll find many real estate firms and accountancy sites offering all the details on this approach. Because it requires an attorney's assistance, we don't cover that process here.

* Note - Portugal expresses the figure 10,000.00 in this manner and places the denomination at the end: 10.000,00�

Key Benefits of the D7 Visa

The Type 1/Type D/D7 Visa is considerably faster and less costly to obtain than the Golden Visa and entitles you to several benefits of Portugal residency:

• Permanent free entry and circulation in the Schengen Area, comprising 26 European countries (with certain time restrictions for absences from Portugal and living within other countries).
• Freedom to live in Portugal and, if you wish, to have a professional activity in this country.
• Option to become a "non-habitual resident" of Portugal for tax purposes (a beneficial Portuguese tax status that fully or partly exempts certain income from Portuguese tax for a set period).
• Access to other Portugal residents' rights, such as education, recognition of diplomas and qualifications, healthcare, the law and the courts of law.

Getting residency in Portugal is a two-step process:

• Step 1, apply for a visa from your current country of residence using the Consulate or VFS Global office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. This visa lets you enter Portugal for 120 days, from where you pursue step 2.
• Step 2, apply for a Residence Permit from Portugal at your local or assigned SEF office.

People usually travel to Portugal to conduct a 'reconnaissance' trip, checking out locations and housing options. During that time, it's wise to get a NIF (see Step 1, item 6) and open a bank account. The recon trip hasn't been achievable during COVID, so workarounds for the NIF and bank account are noted under Step 1, Item 6.

STEP 1: Visa Application at the Portuguese Consulate / VFS Global Office

Portuguese consulates in New York City, San Francisco and Washington, DC partnered with VFS Global to handle the initial processing of visa applications. Applicants who live in states that are under the jurisdiction of those consulates (see chart at the end of this article for details) will file online applications at the VFS website and will appear for their personal interviews at the VFS Global office in those cities. However: 1) VFS Global's main page doesn't mention their alliance with New York yet the New York Consul page will direct you to apply via VFS Global and 2) the list of required documents at the VFS site is not yet merged with the actual list of documents required by SEF (Border Services for Foreigners) in Portugal. But don't worry, this article addresses this gap. These and other discrepancies are noted in 'special requirements' in the list of consulates below.

You'll start this two-step process by getting your Portuguese Residence Visa (officially the D7/D/Type 1) from the U.S. or your current country of residence (wherever you currently reside and have resided for 1 year or longer). You will receive a stamp within your passport which is valid for 120 days. This visa entitles you to travel to Portugal to accomplish the second step, getting your Temporary Residence Permit. This permit grants you residency in Portugal for two years from the date your permit is granted and is renewable in subsequent 3-year terms. Portugal requires that you complete the residence visa application process from the United States or, if living in a country other than Portugal, that you complete it with the respective Portuguese consulate in that country. The reasoning is that you must submit your passport for the approved visa and can't be outside the U.S. or your resident country without your passport. Even this detail, however, is undergoing change. For example, the San Francisco VFS office offers a mail-in service to get the visa stamp in your passport and will mail your passport to you if decided to come to Portugal before getting your visa approval.

Required Documentation & Timing

A detailed explanation of each required document follows this list, and each document is required of each applicant. Children younger than 5 forego the visa step and go straight to the residence permit under the Family Unification process with a parent or guardian. (See the Family Reunification insert below). Some documentation is requested by VFS Global offices but not by a consulate; this is indicated by the (VFS GLOBAL) tag in the list below. Do not staple, clip or otherwise bind your documentation. Put the pages in order according to this list:

1. Application for a National Visa (if submitting by mail, signature notarized).
2. Passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the expiration of your 120-day visa and two recent passport-size color photos; copy of main passport page (copy of main page notarized)
3. Proof of legal status in the country from which you're applying
4. Personal statement declaring the reasons why you are seeking residency in Portugal
5. Proof of financial means / proof of sufficient funds
6. Proof of a funded bank account in Portugal & N�mero de Identifica��o Fiscal
7. FBI criminal record certificate if aged 16 or older (or, if you've lived outside the US in the last year, a police record report from that country) (report apostilled or unopened)
8. Release / request for a Portuguese criminal record check by the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) (VFS Global)
9. Proof of private health insurance coverage or travel insurance with medical benefits
10. Proof of accommodation in Portugal (property title deed, rental agreement, letter of invitation / terms of responsibility form or property loan agreement; for VFS Global, hotel and short-term stay (i.e., Airbnb) confirmations are accepted.
11. Copy of marriage certificate and children's birth certificates when children are also applying (VFS Global) (apostilled if being used in Portugal for Family Reunification or school registrations)

You'll assemble a complete documentation package and submit it to your designated Portuguese consulate or VFS Global office in your current country of residence. See the list of U.S. consulates/offices at the end of this article. Consulates are permitted to impose some of their own conditions; these are noted as special requirements under each consulate. Check your assigned consulate's website to be aware of any newer instructions or rules imposed. Information in this guideline is usually more extensive, however, than the consulate website.

Timing is one of the most stressful aspects of applying for a visa. Consulates or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Portugal might take longer than the allocated two months (60 business days) to process your application. You can apply no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days prior to your intended date of arrival in Portugal if your application is submitted to a Portuguese Consulate. If your application is processed through a VFS Global agency, you can only submit your application within three months of the date you'd like to arrive in Portugal.

VFS Global provides this explanation (edited for clarity) about the timing for submitting your visa application package:

"There is in fact a 90-day rule (with VFS Global). We cannot submit your application if you declare an arrival date in Portugal that is more than 90 days out. Factors in play include when your documents were dated. Documents need to be produced within the last 90 days for the visa application and should not be older than 6 months for the SEF appointment. (Note: Financial statements for the SEF (residence permit) appointment can't be older than 3 months except for the FBI report, which can be no older than 6 months). Any document older than six months tends to be rejected and should be considered invalid. Processing time of a completed package, submitted by VFS to the Portuguese inspectors, ranges from 4 to 6 weeks yet often takes longer."

Once your visa is granted, you must arrive in Portugal to convert it into a residence permit within 90 days. Your visa in your passport allows you to travel to Portugal despite existing COVID-19 restrictions. Prior to the COVID-19 restrictions, many people got more control of the timing by conducting a fact-finding trip during which time they select an initial place to live, get their N�mero de Identifica��o Fiscal (NIF) and open a bank account. Travel without an EU visa or permit isn't a current option for many non-EU residents, so most applicants are opening bank accounts online. Find details here at Step 2 in the section titled "Getting Your NIF".

1) Application for a Schengen Area / National Visa

You'll see the terms and the application forms for both the Schengen Area visa and the National visa. The National visa application is simply a Schengen visa application that is specifically for Portugal. Portuguese consulates prefer using the National visa application, asking that you complete that form and indicate you want a National visa, which also requires that you enter Portugal directly from your home country. A Schengen visa allows you to enter from another EU country. Both visas are valid for 120 days and both support unlimited travel within the Schengen Area as well as two round-trips between our current residence and Portugal during the 120 days.

Whether you are a couple, parent and child, or a family, each person must provide a full application package. In late 2020, VFS Global directed parents of children aged 5 and younger to use 'Family Reunification' in Portugal. Families with older, dependent children can follow this route, as well.

A Note on Family Reunification ( Visa Type D6):

Family Reunification starts with one family member applying for a visa in their current country followed by the remaining family members applying for a permit at SEF in Portugal. Consider the current COVID-19 related travel restrictions on entry to Portugal when using this option. Portugal's position is to never separate immediate family members, accepting marriage and birth certificates to permit family members to accompany the visa-holder.

1. The following family members, in accordance with Articles 99 and 100 of the Aliens Act, are entitled to family reunification:

• The spouse
• Underage or incapable children under guardianship of the couple or of one spouse
• Minors adopted by an unmarried applicant, by a married applicant or by the spouse, following decision taken by the relevant authority of the Country of origin, provided that legal framework incorporates the same rights and duties of natural affiliation and provided that decision is acknowledged by Portugal
• Children who are of age, and of whom the couple or one of the spouses is in charge, and study in a Portuguese teaching institution
• Children who are of age, and of whom the couple or one of the spouses is in charge with, single or studying, whenever the holder of the right of reunification has a residence permit granted under article 90 � A
• First-degree ascendants in the direct line to the resident or the respective spouse provided they are dependent on either of them
• Underage siblings under custody of the resident, following decision by a relevant authority in the country of origin, as long as that decision is acknowledged by Portugal

2. The following family members of unaccompanied minors are also entitled to family reunification:

• First-degree ascendants in the direct line
• His / her legal guardian or another family member, if the refugee has no direct ascendants or if it proves impossible to trace them

Family Reunification in Portugal requires the same documents as are listed here for the D7 visa and, if relevant, apostilled marriage certificates for parents and apostilled birth certificates for children.

Some consulates require online application requests while others allow you to submit your application and all other documents via mail or at an in-person interview. VFS Global keeps reverting to a paper application yet sometimes offers (and then requires you use) an online form.

• a) An online / or VFS online application request is submitted to the consulate as a stand-alone document without any of the remaining required documents. When the consulate receives and reviews your application request, a consul employee will contact you via email or phone to schedule your in-person interview and explain the documentation requirements. All documentation must be presented at this in-person interview along with a hard copy or print-out of your application form.
• b) Other consulates let you submit a paper application with the required documents as a single, complete package at an in-person interview. (Washington D.C. routinely permits mailed application packages for applicants within their jurisdiction living more than 150 miles away. During COVID, New York and San Francisco temporarily accepted mailed applications.) Call the number shown on the respective consulate's listing at the end of this article to schedule your interview. Check your consulate's office schedule online first so that you can accept or request an appointment for a time you know your consulate will be open.
• c) Although requirements often state that you must complete this application in Portuguese, all Portuguese consulates and VFS Global offices in the U.S. are accepting applications completed in English and the form is available in English.
• d) Include two passport-style photos taken within the last six months, but do not staple or clip the photos to the application.
• e) Bring a copy of your visa application and all required documents to Portugal. Some of these could be required again when you convert your visa to a residence permit in Portugal. SEF has streamlined this step by re-using their scanned versions of all documents you submitted during your visa application, yet this is not consistent across SEF offices in Portugal.

2) Passport and Passport Photos

Provide a copy of the photo page (showing personal data and dates of validity) from your passport. This page must be notarized if you aren't submitting your application package to the consulate in person, and all VFS Global offices request that it be notarized or certified.

Passports must be issued within the last 10 years and have at least two blank pages. A passport older than 10 years that has been extended for a period exceeding 10 years from the date it was issued isn't acceptable. If you are issued a visa, your consulate will require your passport to affix the visa to a blank page.

Your passport must also be valid for at least three months after the expiration of the visa for which you are applying (120 days for the Type 1/D/D7). The passport or travel document must be recognized by all parties of the Schengen Agreement. Make sure that your passport is at least 6 months or more away from its expiration date by the expected date of any international travel.

VFS specifically requests two passport-style photos taken within the last six months, on a white background, yet usually only needs one. Include with the application, but DO NOT affix the photograph to any document. The European size for this photo is 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm.

3) Proof of Legal Status in the Country from Which You're Applying

This was introduced by VFS Global and appears on their application form, where you note the country of your birth. It is required only from non-U.S. citizens applying from the U.S. Provide a copy (front and back) of your green card, U.S. visa or other document that shows you are legally residing in the U.S.

4) Personal Statement

This is a short note written, dated and signed by each applicant. When several members of a family are applying, matching or referencing each other's personal statement(s) is helpful. Sometimes, an agent reviewing your application package will say 'explain your situation' or 'explain your ties to Portugal'. They are asking for you to elaborate on your personal statement. The statement includes:

• a description of yourself, such as education, profession
• your reason for settling in Portugal
• your ties to Portugal, such as family or friends residing here, or your owning property, your having a bank account in Portugal and the amount in that account, or the name of your landlord
• where you intend to reside initially (address or at least the town name)
• what type of accommodations (rental, home purchase) you'll have initially
• how you intend to get money for daily living expenses into Portugal

Most important, your personal statement is judged by its likelihood of success. Some applicants submit such detailed statements that they hinder their applications. Superfluous details must be considered by the investigators to determine if an applicant will be able to achieve the stated goals. One family included "so my children can learn a new language," which the investigators felt might or might not happen, and the application was delayed by four months. Therefore, your personal statement can be as simple as:

"I am a retired history teacher. I wish to live in Portugal as a retiree because of the lifestyle and culture. My ties to Portugal (are my landlord) (are people I've met) (friends who have moved there) (friends and family living in X, Y and Z). I will live initially in rented accommodations at Rua Sao Bento, 13, r/c, Lisbon. This rental contract is included in my application and I paid XXX� as a deposit. I will look for an apartment to purchase or rent longer term. I will transfer money for my daily living expenses and any future home purchase from my US bank account and US investments to my Portuguese bank account with Banco BPI through my account with the exchange company TransferWise."

5) Proof of Financial Means /Proof of Sufficient Funds

"Sufficient" means that you have funds�not necessarily income, but access to assets�equal to the annual minimum wage in Portugal. Updated to the 2021 minimum wage, this equals:

• 1st adult (applicant): 100% of the current minimum wage (665�) = 7980�;
• 2nd or more adult(s): 50% of the current minimum wage (332,50�) = 3990�;
• Children and young people under 18 and over-dependent children: 30% of the current minimum wage (199,50�) = 2394�

These assets or funds are per calendar year, so they need to be recurring or should be a higher amount initially; however, there is no data suggesting a firm figure, such as twice as much, if your assets aren't recurring. These funds can be sourced from any combination of investments, income and savings and must be accessible to you from Portugal.

Note that you're not being asked to prove income. What counts toward your proof of financial means / sufficient funds is any combination of the following:

• Bank statements (summary page only!), which must be for the most recent three months and show the name and address of the account owner(s). Applicants with joint accounts may both use the same account statements but: (a) either each have a statement under their own name or (b) both names must appear on the statement. Copies of online statements are fine.
• Traveler's checks
• Cash
• Letter of employment showing income
• International credit card showing credit limit
• Investment statements (summary page only)
• Income from property or non-property assets or from intellectual property
• A company pension certificate, pension check statement or notarized letter confirming a pension from the responsible authority
• A Social Security benefits letter
• If self-employed, tax returns from the previous fiscal year or proof of previous economic activity and income from the previous fiscal year

Provide only original copies or color printouts of the records you submit. The summary pages showing your balances are enough: you don't need to include the pages showing each transaction in your bank accounts or the 'small print' on investment statements. If you can't provide proof of sufficient financial means, you'll be required to have a "financial guarantor" based in Portugal. A financial guarantor can be your lawyer, a person with power of attorney, landlord, dean of admissions, etc., who is a European Union national or holds permanent residence in Portugal. This person must provide a letter or email stating that s/he will guarantee your accommodations and financial support for a year as well as your return transit to the US. The guarantor's name, financial number and address are required on this letter or email and a copy or scan of the guarantor's national identification must be included.

A guarantor assumes a legal risk so it can be difficult to get one. This difficulty has encouraged a new business in Portugal aimed at selling the financial guaranty letter and visa preparation services. Alleged service providers are trolling posts on Facebook, websites and blogs, then contacting potential visa applicants to handle the guarantor letter and all aspects of applying for a visa, charging anywhere from �450 to �5000 for a bundle of services. Often, these people are not attorneys, not qualified to help and some even abscond with your money. Many of us who've preceded you to Portugal can recommend resources who would charge less than �100 per guarantor letter or you can ask your initial landlord or real estate agent who might be willing to act as guarantor.

6) Proof of a Funded Bank Account in Portugal & NIF

As of November 2020, SEF is rejecting visa applications without a funded bank account IN Portugal. These can be joint accounts. The amount deposited into the account is the same as the minimum amounts listed above under Proof of Financial Means: 1st adult (applicant): 7980�; 2nd or more adult(s): 3990� each; Children and young people under 18 and over-dependent children: 2394� each.

This Proof of Funded Bank Account is a requirement, regardless of the other sources provided as Proof of Financial Means. If you have purchased or are purchasing a home in Portugal, that purchase contract / mortgage approval can be submitted in lieu of the funded bank account.

If you are able to travel to Portugal before applying for a visa, you can obtain a N�mero de Identifica��o Fiscal (NIF) and a bank account while in Portugal. If you are fulfilling this requirement from the U.S., a limited number of banks offer remote online account openings and can issue a temporary NIF, which will need to be converted to a permanent NIF once you are in Portugal. Some applicants have successfully applied online at Activo, Abanco Bank, and Atlantico Europa through virtual video assistance. Other banks require a signed Power of Attorney for a legal representative to open an account on your behalf. The high volume of requests to open accounts remotely is resulting in some banks suspending this feature, so check their websites. It can take two weeks to open an online account and another week for the mandatory bank transfer directly from your U.S. bank to your Portuguese account.

Note on Getting a N�mero de Identifica��o Fiscal (NIF) when in Portugal

A NIF is issued by any tax office (Finan�as). You don't need to go to the Finan�as near your residence.. Your N�mero de Identifica��o Fiscal (NIF) / N�mero de Contribuinte is free, quick, and available to you even if you're not a resident or don't yet have a Visa or Temporary Residence Permit. DURING THE COVID 'STAY AT HOME' RESTRICTIONS, FINAN�AS OFFICES REQUIRE APPOINTMENTS; click this link for their appointment information page.

Required documents and how to navigate your visit are bulleted below. When appointments are not required, you can go to any Finan�as office. An online search will show you their locations.

• Identification and Address Documentation: Your passport, your EU national identity card or your Temporary Residence Permit qualify as ID. For proof of address: if you are NOT yet residing in Portugal, present a recent utility bill or bank statement showing your home country address (with your name as it appears on your Identification). If you ARE residing in Portugal, present a bank statement, rental or purchase contract with your name and address or your Permit card.
• Get a Financial Representative: This is a citizen or permanent resident of Portugal who will sign for you. The representative guarantees that, if you default on any payments in Portugal, s/he will accept your liability. The representative must present his/her identify card. Often, landlords, friends or realtors will do this but that's not always an option. Some persons will serve as your representative for a fee, charging from �100-150�these might be attorneys or simply citizens. A growing 'industry' of attorneys and others who will act as a representative has resulted in some unwary people paying a thousand euros for this service and that can be avoided.
• Go to Finan�as: Arrive about 20 minutes before your office opens. Go to the machine that issues 'senhas' or numbers to customers. The button that you press might show N�mero de Contribuinte rather than NIF. Don't hesitate to ask another person in line. It helps to have the phrase written down to show people if you can't rely on your Portuguese pronunciation. When your number is called / appears on the overhead screen, go to the respective desk or station and explain that you want to obtain your N�mero de Identifica��o Fiscal or N�mero de Contribuinte. Most offices have someone who speaks English, but this phrase should be enough to inform the agent of your purpose. Be respectful, be attentive, but don't accept a denial of this service, which sometimes happens. Present your documents and have your guarantor present his/hers.
• Receive your NIF! It's simply two pieces of paper with your name, address and NIF number on it. Keep this in a safe place as you'll be asked for this document to conduct any of the host of financial transactions noted earlier. Take it with you to SEF for your first appointment and the NIF number will be included on your Temporary Residence Card.

7) FBI Criminal Record Certificate

The FBI criminal record certificate, sometimes called an identification record request, criminal background check or identity history summary, is a national report on any prior criminal activity. The FBI has been processing these requests within three to five business days, charges a prepayment of $18 to $50, and offers an online request option. Start with the FBI Criminal Justice Information System for details on how to complete and file your application. You'll find instructions there for getting a recent, original set of fingerprints from your local police department and how to have your criminal record certificate authenticated with the FBI seal and signature of a division official. There are also numerous, authorized retailers who can obtain and forward your fingerprints electronically to the FBI with online results in sometimes less than an hour.

• >You'll need this certificate apostilled by the U.S. Department of State Authentication Office, which is taking about two months to process, OR,
• >Order an email copy and a mailed, hard copy. You can view your report in the email version, but if you DO NOT OPEN the mailed FBI report envelope, you don't need the US Department of State authentication (apostille).

Children under 16 do not need a Criminal Record Certificate.

Note: If you are providing a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) to the U.S. Department of State for the return of your apostilled FBI report, do NOT utilize FedEx, as the Department of State does not work with this carrier, and your document will be delayed.

8) Release / Request for a Portuguese Criminal Record Check

VFS Global offices tend to ask for this as a separate document; most consulates are not requesting it. The form is at the VFS website and also here.

9) Proof of Private Health Insurance

Each applicant must have medical insurance that meets the Schengen Area requirements. Regulations for the Schengen Area Visa state:

"... applicants shall prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid travel (or other) medical insurance to cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, during their stay(s) on the territory of the Member States. The insurance shall be valid throughout the territory of the Member States and cover the entire period of the person's intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage shall be �30.000" (per applicant)."

VFS Global added this condition in November 2020: '... must not exclude COVID-19'. This hasn't yet appeared in the consulate office requirements. Several travel insurance plans are offering COVID-19 coverage.

When you become a resident in Portugal, you will enroll in the public health system and have access to the state-provided COVID-19 coverage.

If you have existing insurance coverage that includes the features noted above, your proof of medical insurance can be an invoice or your annual statement showing the name of the insurance company, policyholder names, dates of coverage and proof of evacuation coverage. If you don't currently have insurance with these features, investigate a travel insurance plan or an annual plan that covers you in Portugal. Many sources provide travel insurance policies to support Schengen Area Visa applicants. Once you arrive in Portugal, you will find several options for a low-cost, high-quality annual medical insurance plan with broad networks. You will purchase this annual plan for your Temporary Residence Permit appointment at SEF.

Many applicants have had their travel insurance coverage rejected. Avoid this by highlighting "Portugal" on the list of covered countries or having your insurer issue a short letter that states the coverage includes Portugal.

10) Proof of Accommodations

A rental contract, a purchase contract, a short-term-stay confirmation or staying with friends or family�called a Terms of Responsibility form�all qualify as proof of accommodations. Proof of three, four or six months' coverage is requested and differs by consulate/VFS Global. Check the special requirements noted in the list of Consulates near the end of this article.

• a rental contract in your name exactly as it appears on your visa application and other documents; the property address; property owner's name; and the contract period
• a paid hotel or short-term-stay {such as Home Away, Airbnb] confirmation stating name, address and telephone number of the hotel, including confirmation number
• a home purchase agreement
• a letter from someone with whom you'll stay. Submit an official letter of invitation (Term of Responsibility Form) signed by your host. The host's signature on the form must be notarized in Portugal and a copy of your host's identity card included.

11) Marriage / Birth Certificates

VFS Global requires these only when applicable, such as, when applying for family reunification or if one spouse is depending on the other for financial support. With family reunification, you'll need a marriage certificate, if married, and child's/children's birth certificate(s), if a child/children are included in the application. These don't need to be certified, yet many people get them apostilled 'just in case'. Two adults applying on their own don't usually need marriage or birth certificates.

*Travel Reservations or Tickets

The Schengen Area Visa instructions state that you need proof of prepaid outgoing and return travel with the return travel scheduled prior to the expiration of your one-year residency. Most recently, the consulates and VFS Global offices have only sometimes asked to see outgoing flights. None are requesting proof of a prepaid return flight.

• You are required to fly into Portugal as your first country in the Schengen Area, however, so if you are talking about your flight plans or presenting your itinerary, ensure that your flight is into Portugal first.
• Some people fly into another Schengen Area country, regardless of the requirement noted above. If you do enter from with the EU, your passport won't be stamped. SEF wants to see your proof of entry when you attend your first Residence Permit appointment, so either go to Passport control to get your passport stamped or retain your boarding pass and itinerary. It will be requested at your initial SEF appointment.

*References

Often not listing this on their websites, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. sometimes request that you provide a reference in Portugal. These consulates explain that a reference can be your lawyer, a person with power of attorney, landlord, dean of admissions, friend, real estate agent, family member, etc., who is a European Union national or holds permanent residence in Portugal. Submit a note with the rest of your documentation that states the reference's name, address, phone number and citizenship and include a copy of the person's national ID or residence card.

WHEW!!!
All the above items must be submitted together to the Portuguese consulate / VFS Global office responsible for your state (see list at the end of the article). Consult the current Fees Table regarding the payment to include with your application package if it is being mailed and the amount and payment method requested by the office you're going to in person. The fees are updated on the first of each month to reflect changes in the exchange rate. Payment should be with a cashier's check or money order made out to "Embassy of Portugal". Those using VFS offices will also pay an application processing fee and a passport return-postage fee. These fees - which are posted on the VFS website and vary each month with the prevailing exchange rate - are payable to "VFS Global Services" by cashier's check or money order. Credit cards are sometimes accepted in an in-person appointment, but cash never is.

In 60 to 90 days�sometimes sooner!-- you should receive a letter or email from your respective Portuguese consulate or VFS office approving your visa application and requesting your passport along with an addressed, prepaid, return envelope (USPS, FedEx, UPS). Applicants appearing in person are prompted to leave their passports with the consulate, which can reduce the time consumed by mailing and returning them; an addressed, prepaid envelope will still be required. The consulate will affix a 'VISTO' to your passport and return it to you within two weeks to three months, depending on the volume of requests. This visa expires in four months and allows you two round trips between Portugal and your home country plus unlimited travel in the Schengen Area during the four months.

VFS Global offers a specific process called "PASSPORT COLLECTION." A quote from their description of the service follows:

"When submitting a visa application in our VFS Schengen Visa Application Centre, you may choose to purchase the UPS Next Day air Courier service or Collect the passport in person at the end of the visa application process from your applying application Centre once it's ready."

If you collect your passport in person, you need to bring your receipt along with a photo ID.

If you are unable to collect in person, you may authorize a family member to collect the passport on your behalf. The nominated person will need to bring an authorization letter signed by you, the passport photocopy, the receipt for the fees you paid and proof of their Identity with photo.

When the passport is collected, the passport photocopy with the receipt will be stamped for collection and the authorization letter, if any, will remain with VFS Global. When collecting passports, applicants are advised to check that the visa granted meets with their travel schedule. At the end of the passport collection process VFS Global requests that every person sign the Passport Collection Register."

STEP 2: Residence Permit Application in Portugal

You'll travel to Portugal on your visa and apply for your first Temporary Residence Permit. The Servi�o de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) issues residence permits, called a T�tulo de Resid�ncia. Your first Residence Permit is valid for two years from the date it is issued and can be renewed for successive periods of three years. These renewals are followed by the option to apply for Permanent Residence at the 6th year if you have a certificate of A2 level language proficiency.

Scheduling Your Appointment

As of mid-2019, visa applicants in the U.S. who inform SEF of their travel date have their initial SEF appointment set for them. This appears on the visa sticker in your passport as a URL. Enter the entire URL into your computer browser to access your appointment details. The appointment URL is found here:

Making an Appointment

If you don't have a pre-set appointment noted on your visa, make an appointment at your local Servi�o de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) office to complete the process.

SEF wants you to use the 'Personal Area' on their website to access the online scheduler. Anyone who holds a valid residence permit, residence card, short stay visa or temporary stay visa, should use the online scheduler to do any of the following:

• Renew your Residence Permit
• Renew your Residence Card (applicable to EU citizens)
• Extend your period of permanence (applicable to holders of short stay visa or temporary stay visa), named "prorrogac�o perman�ncia"

At the SEF website's personal area, you may manage your booking and schedule and reschedule or cancel a meeting with SEF. Also be certain to keep your phone number and email address current with SEF as this is how they reach you should a scheduling issue arise. Email SEF at [email protected] to provide a new phone or email contact.

If you can't use the online scheduler, call SEF. This is explained at the SEF page https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/deslocacao-sef/. Call center hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The numbers are 808 202 653 (fixed network) or 808 962 690 (mobile network). These numbers can only be called from within Portugal. Calls made at about 8-9 a.m. usually get through while at other times you get a busy signal.

The automated message is in Portuguese so either wait until the end of the message, when an English-speaking person will come on the line, or hand your phone to a Portuguese friend to navigate the menu for you.

Your appointment should be at the SEF bureau closest to your residence. Don't be alarmed if your appointment is set in a different city from where you're residing, as SEF is trying to level out the volume of appointments across offices. SEF is also allowing you to select the location of your appointment. Some applicants specifically choose other SEF bureaus to get their appointment sooner. A list of all SEF bureaus is here: https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/balcoes-atendimento/

The appointments that are requested personally (not the ones pre-set by SEF) are often set well past the date your temporary visa expires. Always request an appointment confirmation email from SEF. This confirmation email essentially extends your visa to the date of your appointment, so print it out and keep it with your passport to prove your visa didn't expire. Your travel allowances remain in effect until the date of your SEF appointment. The appointment itself takes about 20 minutes due to them re-using your scanned visa application documents, and your appointment start time is rigid, due to COVID safety conditions.

If you're at a smaller town SEF office or working with a less experienced agent, this is when all your extra copies and application forms will be required. Be overly prepared and do not paperclip, staple or otherwise attach documents together.

What to Bring with You

SEF's website lists documents to bring to your SEF appointment. That list is copied below, in the left-hand column, along with "notes" in the right-hand column, if further explanation is helpful. Bring originals with you to your appointment. SEF agents scan these documents into their system and return all documents except your application.

ANOTHER SPECIAL NOTE:SEF streamlined the Temporary Residence Permit process by re-using documentation you submitted with your visa application, as all those documents were scanned into SEF's main computer system. As a result, some SEF locations and some SEF agents might not ask for your proof of accommodations, of financial means or of medical coverage. I mention this to reassure you that if this happens, all is well, but we can't rely on this as an across-the-board change in the process. Be prepared; have these documents.

SEF's List of Documents	Explanation / Notes
Application delivered personally (on a standard form) signed by the applicant (where the applicant is either a minor or legally disabled person the form shall be signed by his/her legal representative)	The application is here. For your first Residence Permit, select the box for "Concess�o de A.R. TEMPOR�RIA / PERMANENTE nos termos do art. � 77 da Lei 23/2007, de 4 de julho, na sua atual vers�o" For Renewals, select the box for "Renova��o de A.R. TEMPOR�RIA / PERMANENTE nos termos do art. � 78 da Lei 23/2007, de 4 de julho, na sua atual vers�o" Note that you will insert the number "77" or "78" in the blank
Two recent, identical photographs, in color with blank background and easily identifiable, except in SIGAP Service Bureaus	Most of the SEF bureaus are SIGAP, meaning they have photographing facilities and won't accept nor need your photo. Photos are needed only for appointments at Odivelas, Aveiro or Braga SEF bureau
Passport or any other valid travel document	Bring your passport
Valid residence visa	If you are applying for your first permit, this is the visa ('visto') that was inserted into your passport. For a renewal, it is T�tulo de Resid�ncia card and must be no more than 6 months past the date of expiration.
Evidence of sufficient means of subsistence, as per the provisions of Order number 1563/2007, of 11/12.	"Sufficient" means that you have funds equaling about: 1st adult (applicant): 7980�; 2nd or more adults: 3990� each; children and young people under 18 and over-dependent children: 2394� each. SEF wants the most recent 3 months of bank statements and prefers these to be from your Portuguese bank account, especially if this is a renewal appointment. If you are a couple applying together, the bank statements can be for a shared account but must show both of your names. If the statements don't show both names, the person whose name is on the account will need to provide a Terms of Responsibility letter for the legal partner/spouse or the legal partner/spouse can request a bank statement in his/her name. If using pension or social security income, the pension / social security income letters should be dated for the current year.
Evidence that the applicant has adequate accommodation	For your first residence permit, provide your rental contract, hotel booking, letter of invitation (if you are staying with someone) or home purchase contract. It doesn't matter if you have moved from your initial place of residence in Portugal. For renewals, SEF requests one of the following: declaration of residence issued by the Parish Council (Junta da Freguesia) of the area of residence; or a lease contract registered at the Tax Authority and the last receipt for rent payment; or a contract of purchase and sale or the title deed of the estate. The contract, rental agreement, or letter of invitation must be in Portuguese. Often, these contracts are in both English and Portuguese. The duration of a lease or hotel stay needs to be 6 months or longer. The address on the document used to prove accommodations at this appointment will be the address used on your Permit. If/when you move again, you'll need to update your address at your local Junta da Freguesia (essentially a parish or city town hall) for a fee, taking their validation letter within 30 days to your SEF and paying a fee for a new permit card. If you fail to update your address at SEF within 60 days of a change you will be charged a late fee. If your move occurred close to the date of a renewal, SEF usually asks you to simply wait until that renewal appointment and change your address then.
Permission for checking criminal records (see standard form)- (except people under 16 years old)	Your signature on the Application form is permission for checking with the Portuguese Police to ensure your criminal record is clean since arriving in Portugal. There is no separate form for this and it does not refer to any US records, such as the FBI report.
A document attesting to the existence of a family relationship, where applicable	This is only applicable for persons moving Portugal under a "Family Reunification" visa. Birth and/or marriage certificates are required.
Document proving the applicant's tax situation, where applicable [often appears as "Supporting evidence of registration within Tax Authority" on newer lists]	This has nothing to do with your home country's tax authority�it's your N�mero de Identifica��o Fiscal (NIF) to prove you're registered with Finan�as. SEF enters your NIF into the system to detect any fines or unpaid fees.
Document proving that the applicant is registered with the Social Security	If you are not working in nor earning income from Portugal, you do not and will not register with the Portuguese Social Security.
Health insurance or supporting evidence he/she is covered by the National Health Service	Third country nationals are required under Schengen Area regulations to always have private health insurance coverage. SEF doesn't consistently recognize this and will accept your registration with the national service, called SNS. Registration is documented in a one-page N�mero do Utente, obtained at your nearest Centre de Saude. If you have private coverage, provide coverage and payment. This is usually a one-page document with your name, dates the policy is effective and policy coverage amounts or proof of your paid invoice with names and dates of coverage.

Sticky Points

Be prepared for someone to ask you for more documentation than are officially required. Respectfully providing what you can, respectfully declining what isn't necessary--so therefore you don't have it--are appropriate responses. I recommend taking a print-out of the SEF Required Documentation from their website to indicate that you've come prepared according to their specific requirements.

• Some first-time applicants have been told by other applicants or even by their SEF official that a new FBI report is required. It isn't. Perhaps the applicants misunderstand what is meant by 'permission for checking criminal records'. At this stage, the FBI report has done what it needed to do, which is get you your Schengen Area / National Visa. You can bring a copy of that original FBI report with you as a pre-emptive measure but don't let this false request or the date your FBI report was issued derail your success at this appointment. If you are undergoing Family Reunification, the FBI report is required.
• Some applicants have been asked for birth certificates, marriage certificates and/or IRS reports. You can have your birth and marriage certificates with you. However, "IRS" doesn't mean the United States' 1040 filing. This is never necessary with the SEF. "IRS" refers to the Portuguese Finan�as agency and means your NIF number. If you are undergoing Family Reunification, the FBI report is required.

You should be able to complete the process and be told you are approved at this appointment. If you fail to bring any required documentation, you will have to make another appointment and return. This rarely happens, usually only to applicants who aren't clear, firm and convinced of what they are doing or who don't bring all the required documents.

You can pay your fees in cash or with a Portuguese bank card (Multibanco) but not with a credit card.

Your Titulo de Resid�ncia card is sent to your address, or your post office might send you a notice to come pick it up, and it arrives within a couple of weeks.

Further Renewals

You will renew your T�tulo de Resid�ncia 30 days prior to each expiration. The first T�tulo de Resid�ncia expires after two years, followed by a three-year renewal and a final renewal that can be a Permanent Residence card if you meet the language requirements. Otherwise, you continue to renew the Temporary Residence for three-year periods.

In-country Requirements

You are limited as to how much time you can be away from Portugal during your temporary residence cycles. You must reside in Portugal for 16 of the first 24-month residency period, with no absence greater than 6 months, and not to exceed 8 months combined in any validity period. Specific exceptions are provided for by national law (i.e. military service, secondment authorizations for work purposes, serious illness, maternity, research or studies) and will be regarded as not interrupting the period of residence.

Consulates in the U.S, areas of jurisdiction, and special requirements

> BOSTON

Chancery: 31 St. James Ave., 3rd Floor - Suite 350 Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Phone: 617 536 8740
Website: www.cgportugalboston.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Consul General: Jos� Rui Velez Caro�o
Chancellor: Ivona Moreira

AREAS OF JURISDICTION: States of: Maine, Massachusetts (except the area covered by New Bedford), New Hampshire and Vermont

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Using Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for applications and information (https://www.vistos.mne.pt/pt/)
• Requires documentation in duplicate (highly subject to change)
• Requires all applicants appear in person; during COVID, requires application package to be mailed in followed by the personal appointment
• Requires applications submitted no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days from intended arrival in Portugal
• Requires proof of travel to Portugal (entering Portugal as your first Schengen Area country)

> NEW BEDFORD

Chancery: 628 Pleasant Street, Room 204 New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740
Phone (1): 508 993 5741 / Phone(2): 508 997 6151
Website: www.consulateportugalnewbedford.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Consul: Shelley Pires
Chancellor: Teresa Borges

AREAS OF JURISDICTION: Counties of: Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket and Plymouth

Cities of: Acushnet, Dartmouth, New Bedford and Fall River

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Using Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for applications and information (https://www.vistos.mne.pt/pt/)
• Requires that all applicants appear in person
• Requires applications submitted no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days of intended arrival in Portugal

> NEW YORK

Now using VFS Global for Visa Applications:
http://www.vfsglobal.com/Portugal/USA/portugal-national-visas-d.html

Interview Location:

Schengen Visa Application Center
145 W 45th Street, 4th FL
New York, NY 10036

Chancery: 866 Second Avenue, 8th Floor New York - NY 10017
Phone:646 845 0042
E-mail: [email protected]
Consul General: Maria de F�tima Mendes
Executive Assistant: Teresa Costa

AREAS OF JURISDICTION: States of: Connecticut, Michigan and New York; Territories of American Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Puerto Rico

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires use of online application using VFS Global. Inconsistent regarding filling out the application first, to trigger an appointment, versus selecting an appointment and then completing the application.
• Requires that all applicants appear in person
• Permission for Portuguese Criminal Records Check
• Requests marriage and birth certificates 50% of the time
• Proof of 4 months' accommodations
• Correct Consular fee must be paid via Money Order/Banker/Postal/Cashier check payable to "VFS Services USA Inc."Check the website as these details and the fees are updated monthly.

> NEWARK

Chancery: The Legal Center at One Riverfront Plaza, Suite 40, Newark, New Jersey 07102
Phone (1): 973 643 4200 / Phone(2): 973 643 2156/58
E-mail: [email protected]
Consul General: Pedro Soares de Oliveira

AREAS OF JURISDICTION: States of: Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Using Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for applications and information (https://www.vistos.mne.pt/pt/)
• Online scheduling of appointment at www.consuladoportugalnewark.org
• Requires that all applicants appear in person

> PROVIDENCE

Chancery: 56 Pine Street, Hanley Building, 6th floor Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Phone: 401 272 2003/4
E-mail: [email protected]
Conselheiro de Embaixada: Jos� Macedo Le�o

AREAS OF JURISDICTION: State of: Rhode Island

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• >Requires that all applicants appear in person
• >Requires documentation in duplicate (highly subject to change)

> SAN FRANCISCO

Now using VFS Global for Visa Applications:
http://www.vfsglobal.com/Portugal/USA/portugal-national-visas-d.html

Interview Location:

Schengen Visa Application Center
110 Sutter Street, Floor 05
San Francisco, CA 94104

Chancery: 3298 Washington Street San Francisco, California 94115
Phone: 415 346 3400/1 / Fax: 415 346 1400
E-mail: [email protected]
Consul General: Maria Jo�o Lopes Cardoso

AREAS OF JURISDICTION: States of: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires printing out and bringing their visa application form
• Requires printing out and bringing the appointment verification
• Requires that all applicants appear in person no more than 15 minutes prior to the appointment
• Visa application form brought to the in-person interview must have your signature notarized unless you sign it in front of the agent
• Passport pages copies not required due to in-person interview
• Reference in Portugal
• Requests you complete a Release of Liability for Passport Mailing that they provide at the appointment. It specifies where you want your passport and visa sent, unless you wish to pick it up or aren't leaving your passport
• Requesting and sometimes requiring that you leave your passport with them until it is stamped
• The full application package cannot exceed 50 pages
• Often pressures couples to have one person apply, the other follow Family Reunification in Portugal, to reduce their workload. Family reunification is a slightly more complicated process due to expiration of the FBI report and reprinting financial statements.
• Correct Consular fee must be paid via Money Order/Banker/Postal/Cashier check. Applications submitted to the VFS Center in San Francisco need these check payable to "Consulate General of Portugal" or "Embassy of Portugal". Check the website as these details and the fees are updated monthly.

> WASHINGTON D.C.

Now using VFS Global for Visa Applications:
http://www.vfsglobal.com/Portugal/USA/portugal-national-visas-d.html

Interview Location:

Schengen Visa Application Centre
1025 Vermont Ave NW, St# 200
Washington DC 20005
[email protected]
+1 305 704 2172

April 2019: If you are a resident of the State of Illinois and need a Schengen Visa to Portugal, you can apply with the Consulate-General of Lithuania in Chicago: https://chicago.mfa.lt/cikaga/en/travel-and-residence/coming-to-lithuania/visas/schengen-visas DC.

Chancery: 2012 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 (ENTRANCE FROM "P" STREET); This is the address where you would mail your passport, if sending by mail
Phone: 202 332 3007 / Fax: 202 223 3926 / Emergency line: (+351) 96 170 64 72
E-mail: [email protected]
Head of Consular Section: Hugo Palma

AREAS OF JURISDICTION: States of: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, District of Columbia.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires use of VFS online application that triggers their scheduling your appointment
• People living 150 miles (sometimes stated as 200 miles, sometimes 2-hour drive) from the Consulate may mail their full Application Package in lieu of an in-person interview. Send 1 email that lists the following info for each person in the family who is applying: Full name, date of birth, address with zip code, phone number and type of visa requested: email to: [email protected]. They will send you (1 or 1 per person) pre-addressed envelope(s) to mail in the application and documentation.
• Mailed application packages require notarization of your signature on your visa application form
• Requests 6 months' proof of paid accommodations
• Correct Consular fee must be paid via Money Order/Banker/Cashier check. For applications submitted to the VFS Center in Washington DC, the Money order/Banker or Cashier check must be payable to "Embassy of Portugal"

Reference Section

This document contains links to informational websites. They are repeated here in the event that a link is broken.

Hyperlinks in order of use in the article:

• Golden Visas: http://goldenvisa-portugal.com and https://www.sef.pt/en/pages/conteudo-detalhe.aspx?nID=21
• Golden Visa SEF registration portal: https://ari.sef.pt/account/default.aspx
• Entrepreneur / Self Employed Visa Article 88/89 Program: https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/solicitar/trabalhar/
• Non-VFS Global Online Application Request Form: https://www.vistos.mne.pt/images/schengen/formularios/pedido_de_visto_de_longa_duracao_en.pdf
• VFS Global Application Form: https://www.vistos.mne.pt/en/visa-application/apply-for-a-visa
• Portugal National Visa Application Form: https://www.vistos.mne.pt/images/schengen/formularios/pedido_de_visto_de_longa_duracao_pt.pdf
• VFS Global Documentation Check List: Portugal Visa Information In U.S.A. - Home Page (vfsglobal.com)
• Release / Request for a Portuguese Criminal Record Check; permission-residency.pdf (vfsglobal.com)
• FBI Criminal Background Check:
  http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-check and the electronic request is:
  https://www.edo.cjis.gov/?fbclid=IwAR2WNFkQ633RpKM2dlLOkIbPGI48bXbMwo-q5F5IZBnTkQXQCMuGWYymy5U#/
• Visa Fees: http://www.imigrante.pt/PagesEN/BancoInformacao/Docs/TABELA_TAXAS_2017.pdf or VFS Global fees and service charge: http://www.vfsglobal.com/Portugal/USA/visa-fees-at-glance.html
• SEF Appointments: http://www.sef.pt/portal/V10/EN/aspx/contacto/index.aspx
• Finan�as Appointments: Portal das Finan�as - e-balc�o (Contactos) (portaldasfinancas.gov.pt)
• Term of Responsibility / Letter of Invitation https://www.sef.pt/pt/Documents/termo_responsabilidade.pdf
• SEF Portal: http://www.sef.pt/portal/v10/PT/aspx/page.aspx#0
• Application form: http://www.imigrante.pt/PagesEN/BancoInformacao/Docs/RequerimentoAR.pdf
• Residence Permit Documentation in English at SEF Portal
• Residence Permit Documentation in Portuguese at SEF Portal
• Scheduling Appointments at SEF https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/balcoes-atendimento/
• Online scheduling link: https://www.sef.pt/en/Pages/pre-marcacao-online.aspx
• SEF central email: [email protected]

Regulations cited in this article:

• Health Insurance: Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009, which entered in force on April 5, 2010
• Schengen Area Visa Applicant Information: http://www.embassyportugal- us.org/Embassy_of_Portugal/Visas_files/What%20is%20a%20Schengen%20Visa.PDF
• Proof of Financial Means: article 2, number 2 and article 5, paragraph 6, letter b), of the Administrative Rule no. 1563/2007, of December 11

Thanks, Tellie and Scott!

The intensive, ongoing research that forms the foundation of this article is given a personal touch by Americans & Friends in Portugal Facebook Group members who share their experiences and offer suggestions. My deepest appreciation to Scott Hubli for ferreting out (in)consistencies and disorder, and Tellie Seford, editor extraordinaire, who patiently and earnestly improved the content and format for 2021.