Moving to Portugal as an EU/EEA/Swiss Citizen: No Visa Needed — Here’s the Process

woman holding an EU flag

If you’re an EU citizen — for example, from Ireland, Germany, or France — moving to Portugal is refreshingly straightforward. Unlike non-EU citizens, you don’t need to apply for a visa before you move. You can just… come. No need to rent a property in advance. No waiting months for a visa to be approved. No navigating the D7, D2, or Golden Visa paperwork. You simply need to show you can support yourself in Portugal (we’ll cover how in a …

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Moving to Portugal with a Non-EU Spouse or Family Member (Article 15)

A smiling family of three poses outside, sitting close together. A young girl in a pink shirt holds a soccer ball, with her father in a plaid shirt kneeling beside her and her mother in a denim jacket standing behind, embracing them.

EU Citizens Moving to Portugal Bringing Non-EU Family to Portugal (Article 15) If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen moving to Portugal, your non-EU spouse, partner or children don’t need a standard immigration visa. Here’s how the Article 15 process works — and when a visa might make more sense. 🇪🇺 EU/EEA/Swiss citizens 💍 Spouses & partners 👨‍👩‍👧 Dependent children No visa required The big picture How Article 15 works EU law gives EU citizens the right to have …

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How to Get Your CRUE as an EU/EEA/Swiss Citizen

woman holding an EU flag

If you’re from the EU/EEA/Switzerland, you have the right to move to Portugal under EU freedom of movement rules. There’s no visa, no sponsorship, and no embassy process. You can simply move to Portugal and begin living here. However, once you decide to live here (rather than just visit), you need to register that residence and obtain the CRUE: Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia (EU Citizen Registration Certificate) This is the document that formally recognises your residency …

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