Minimum stay in portugal per year to qualify for Permanent residency?

Expat4ever Member

Member since 05 December 2016

Expat4everMember06 December 2016 00:36:43

Hi
US citizen here. I am interested to make Portugal my home and want to apply for Permanent residence in the future. I am planning to apply for the type 1 visa from US and then apply for the Temporary resident permit at SEF in Portugal. Ideally, I would like to stay for 8 months in Portugal and spend 4 months in US/elsewhere, will that qualify as uninterrupted residence for 5 years when I apply for Permanent Residency?
Would love to hear from anyone who has applied for Permanent residency here.
Thanks!

shanebackman New member

Member since 17 September 2013

shanebackmanNew member19 December 2016 11:44:18

Hi,

Disclaimer - I am shooting from the hip a little bit, as I am not 100% sure of my answers. I am not an immigration attorney, and my information is worth what you've paid for it!

I am also a US citizen living in Portugal, and by the nature of my work I spend about half of the year outside of Portugal. I do not expect it to be an issue at all once we've been here long enough to apply for permanent residency for several reasons. 1) This is legitimately where I hang my hat. 2) This is where my wife and daughters are, essentially full-time (also not Portuguese). 3) We recently purchased property here, and now, after finally finishing the remodel, it is our actual residence.

If your trips are temporary in nature, I don't think you will have any issues; especially if you continuously maintain a residence here while away. I believe that as long as you spend 183+ days per year in country, you will be in good shape.

PM me for some more "grey area" tips.

Cheers,
Shane