Permanent Residency for UK citizens under the Withdrawal Agreement

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Permanent Residency for UK citizens under the Withdrawal Agreement

 

 

Permanent Residency for UK citizens under the Withdrawal Agreement, with the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union on February 1, 2020.

The Withdrawal Agreement allowed UK nationals and their family members who resided in Portugal during the transition period, until December 31, 2020, and acquired and/or maintained their right of residence under Law No. 37/2006, of August 9, in its current version, as well as UK nationals and their family members who, despite residing in Portugal during the transition period, never regularised their presence under Law No. 37/2006, of August 9, in its current version, to benefit from a special regime.

 

UK nationals and their family members residing in Portugal during the transition period, until December 31, 2020, who wished to continue living in the country, had to regularize their stay under the Withdrawal Agreement as follows:

  • If they already held a European Union Registration Certificate issued by the City Council and/or a Permanent Residence Certificate issued by SEF, they needed to request the replacement of their current residence document with the new residence permit confirming their resident status under the Withdrawal Agreement in Portugal.
  • If they did not take steps to regularize their documentation before the end of the transition period, they should have applied for a residence permit appropriate to their stay under the Withdrawal Agreement in Portugal.

 

Since the Brexit decision took effect, the number of British citizens residing in Portugal has increased significantly.

  • In 2016, the year of the referendum, 19,384 British nationals were registered as residents in Portugal.
  • By October 2020, this number had risen to 40,827, representing a 111% increase since 2016.
  • As of February 2023, the Portuguese government reported that 27,080 British citizens had received their residence permits under the Withdrawal Agreement.

These figures highlight a growing trend of British nationals choosing to live in Portugal after Brexit.

Five years after the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union took effect, it is now important to revisit the options for those who have been legally residing in Portugal for at least five years.

 

Just like all individuals who have been residing in Portugal for at least 5 years, beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement can also apply for the Portuguese passport or permanent residence.

 

UK Portugal

 

Let’s take a look:

 

  • Nationality for UK citizens

Legal residents in Portugal can apply for Portuguese nationality once they have completed at least 5 years of residence.

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and submit a specific set of documents.

This process is handled by the IRN (Portuguese Civil Registry Service) and can currently be submitted online through lawyers and solicitors.

 

 

  • Permanent Residence for UK citizens

Beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement who hold Temporary Residence Permits for 5 years can apply to convert their permit to Permanent Residence.

To do this, they must schedule an in-person appointment with AIMA services and submit a specific set of documents.

After completing this process, the applicant will receive a Permanent Residence Permit, being the residence card valid for 10 years.

 

It is also important to note that both applications can be made simultaneously, and it is even advisable to have a valid Residence Permit while the nationality application is being processed.

Whatever path you choose to take, RME will be happy to assist you and find the best solution for your situation.