I am considering moving to Portugal. My wife and I are both online tutors. I have a number of questions about attaining Portuguese permanent residency. 1) I am British and my wife is a Chinese citizen, is she also eligible for permanent residency in Portugal? As China does not have any dual citizenship agreements she would theoretically have to lose her Chinese citizenship to gain Portuguese citizenship. 2) Once a work permit is obtained, must we pay tax in Portugal? Must we ask our employer to pay into a Portuguese bank account? 3) How many days in a year can we leave Portugal and not forfeit our residency?
You can apply for a Golden Visa and later ask for family reunification. Once you apply and fulfill the terms, you only have to spend six days in Portugal per year. You would have to open a Portuguese bank account. The tax issue depends on other situations related with the non habitual resident regime.
Yes, your wife can also become eligible for permanent residency in Portugal. The initial Golden Visa will be valid for one year, after which time, it can be renewed for a further two years. At the end of year three, the Golden Visa can be renewed again for a further two years. At the end of year five, applicants will have the opportunity to renew the Golden Visa again, or to apply directly for permanent residency. After five years of holding the Golden Visa and assuming that all requirements have been met, it will be possible to apply for Portuguese citizenship. Also, once you have residence in Portugal, you must pay taxes in Portugal. Yes, you can ask your employer to pay into a Portuguese bank account. You can leave Portugal as many days you want after getting permanent residency in Portugal and you will not forfeit your residency. Portugal's residency program can lead to EU citizenship faster than any other program and allows for more flexibility of movement than any of the other countries.
Unfortunately, Portugal does not provide any kind of direct permanent residence by investment program. Instead, it offers a program for investment purposes (Golden Visa), which will grant you a temporary residence permit. In order for you to apply for a Portuguese permanent residency, first you will have to apply for a temporary residence permit under the ARI/Golden Visa program for a period of five years. Once you fulfill the 5-year period, you will be entitled to apply for either a permanent residence or even the Portuguese citizenship. Regarding your questions, your wife may apply with you for a temporary residence permit under family reunification rules; as it is a temporary residence permit, there isn’t any conflict with nationality matters. Regarding your second question, that is correct. Once you start working in Portugal and receive an income, you must pay tax over that income. Also, you’ll have to open a bank account in Portugal in order for your employer to transfer you wages. Thirdly, if you apply for a temporary residence permit under general rules (for example, working permit, creation of own company), you’ll have to spend six months in Portugal each year; however, under ARI/Golden Visa rules, that time will be reduced to only seven days per year.
1) Getting a permanent residence permit may get you citizenship, but only if she wants to. Citizenship is required, so she doesn't necessarily become a Portuguese citizen once you get the permanent residence permit. 2) if you wish to come to Portugal through a dependent worker visa, please note that your employer will be Portuguese. So, that means -- together with the fact that you live here -- that you are, most likely, going to pay tax here in Portugal. The non-habitual resident regime could be interesting for you. 3) Your residence permit won't be renewed if you're out of the country for more than six consecutive or eight interpolated months for each temporary permit's period. Please note that this can change depending on your motives.
Relocating to Portugal can be done through different visa options, depending on the purpose of the presence in Portugal and time spent in the country. Being an employee in Portugal demands the payment of taxes (personal income tax) and social security contributions. Tax residency will exist if the person has in Portugal a primary address, or if they spend in Portugal more than 183 days a year. One can keep the residence permit, renewing it indefinitely, without requesting Portuguese citizenship if the birth country does not allow dual citizenship. From the Portuguese perspective, dual citizenship is accepted.
+1-800-347-9390
