Living in Portugal offers many advantages, but once the decision is made to move, there is still one decisive step to take: completing the administrative procedures to become a resident. Social security, car registration, buying or renting a house, insurance… So many procedures to be done without wasting time and money.
Who can live in Portugal and under what conditions?
The status of non-habitual resident (RNH) was created in 2009 with the aim of attracting foreign professionals with high added value to Portugal as well as retirees from the private sector.
To obtain this RNH status, you must meet the following conditions:
– you must not have been resident in Portugal for the previous 5 years
– be retired
– or be part of the list of professions with high added value
Architect, engineer
Artist and musician
Auditor, chartered accountant, management controller
Doctor, dentist, psychologist, veterinarian
Teacher
Self-employed, business creator
Investor, manager, executive
What are the formalities to settle in Portugal?
The two initial and indispensable steps are obtaining a tax number and opening a bank account. The Portuguese tax number called “Número de Contribuinte” allows you to open a bank account. It is also systematically required for certain administrative procedures, school registrations, etc…
To obtain it, you have to go to the nearest “Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira” with an identity card or a passport and a proof of French residence.
To open a bank account you will need your “Número de Contribuinte”, an identity card and an income tax notice for the past year in France. Opening a bank account will be used, among other things, to pay a rent or to buy a residence.
Learn more about the detailed administrative procedures
Procedures for social security and all health-related matters
Staying healthy is a major issue that needs to be addressed carefully. Fortunately, even in Portugal, you can benefit from basic social security coverage in France thanks to the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) available from your health insurance company. It will allow you to prove your rights in Portugal.
Before leaving, ask for the document E121/S1 “Inscription en vue de bénéficier de la couverture de l’assurance maladie” obtained from your health insurance company by informing them of your departure.
Living in Portugal without speaking Portuguese
Language is undoubtedly a barrier that you will have to overcome. Portuguese is not an easy language to understand and there are many accents. You will have to work at it.
However, it is possible to live in Portugal without speaking Portuguese, or simply a few words of politeness and basic relations (how much it costs, how to get there etc…). Of course this limits the depth of human relations but luckily, many Portuguese – the older ones – speak French and the younger ones speak a very good level of English.
How to buy a house?
The most common question is whether to buy or rent a place to live. We strongly recommend renting for at least a year to get a feel for the country, to visit, meet, test and experiment. Beware of the “coup de coeur” which does not allow you to make good deals.
Buying a property in Portugal is a relatively simple process. Once you have found your property, you will have to sign a contract of sale. This is the legal document that sets out the terms of the sale. Between 10 to 12% of the deposit must be paid by the buyer directly to the seller. If you do not have an address in Portugal, you will be required to have a fiscal representative (lawyer, accountant or someone you know).
How to rent your house or apartment in Portugal?
If you want to rent in Portugal, you must prove that you have sufficient income. You will have to pay 2 to 3 months of rent in advance and one month of deposit. In total, this can represent a considerable amount of money to be advanced.
The contract is signed in triplicate, one copy of which must be presented to the Portuguese tax authorities by the owner in order to be registered and validated.
As in France, it is preferable to carry out an inventory of fixtures if you notice any obvious damage and you will have to take out a home insurance policy. Your landlord must provide you with a rent receipt for each payment.
How do I register my car?
You must register your car in Portugal within one year of obtaining your residence certificate. To avoid heavy import taxes, you must have owned your car for at least 6 months at that time.
The procedure is not necessarily complicated in the provinces but it can vary elsewhere. In any case, it is better to pay attention to the two deadlines: 6 months of ownership BEFORE the residence certificate and one year to do the formalities AFTER the residence certificate.
The administrative process, like the registration of a vehicle, consists of going to the Institute of Mobility and Transport to obtain a Portuguese version of your vehicle registration document and then going to an authorized technical center for a thorough technical inspection. Then you go to the nearest customs. Finally you return to the ITM to get your final number.
How to subscribe to internet, telephone and television ?
As in France, you will have the choice between several telephone operators. This is the best way to stay connected to your family in France. The 3 main ones are :
Portugal Telecom
Vodafone
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Telecommunication prices are a little more expensive than in France where the telecom war initiated by Free has not yet taken place.
You will need the following documents to subscribe a cell phone line:
NIF
fixed phone number if a line was already open in the house
Portuguese rib
proof of address
