Moving to Portugal as an EU/EEA/Swiss Citizen

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 moment) and register your residency. That’s it.

If you’re moving from within the EU, shipping your belongings will also be easier and less expensive. Basically, you’ve won the relocation lottery.

Moving to Portugal for Less Than 3 Months

If you’re planning to stay for fewer than three months, good news: you don’t need to do anything. According to ePortugal.gov.pt, EU citizens — and their family members, even if they aren’t EU citizens — can stay in Portugal for up to 90 days without any formal registration.

You’re considered a tourist during this period, and it’s a good time to get a feel for Portugal. Most rentals shorter than a year are found through sites like Flatio, Airbnb, or local Facebook groups offering month-to-month lets.

Staying Longer Than 3 Months

If you’re planning a longer-term move — and most people are — you’ll need a residency certificate known as the CRUE (Certificado do Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia).

This is obtained at your local câmara municipal (town hall). Some allow you to apply right away; others may ask you to wait until you’ve been in the country for three months. It varies by municipality, so it’s worth checking locally. Just search “[name of your town] câmara municipal” on Google Maps and give them a call or visit in person.

Who Can Apply?

Any EU/EEA/Swiss citizen can apply for the CRUE, provided they meet the key requirement: they can support themselves financially.

You’ll need to show at least the Portuguese minimum wage in income per month (around €870). This could be from:

Employment in Portugal or abroad
Self-employment
A pension
Savings or passive income

You don’t need private health insurance unless your country asks the same of Portuguese citizens living there. Once registered, you’ll be able to obtain your número de utente and start using the SNS (public healthcare system in Portugal).

That said, many people do take out private health insurance even if they’re eligible for the public system. This is because the private system is typically faster, allowing people to take advantage of faster appointments for routine things and potentially get a faster referral to the right person within the public healthcare system.

What About Non-EU Family Members?

If your spouse, partner, or another family member (like a dependent child) doesn’t have an EU/EEA/Swiss passport, the process is a little more complex.

Option 1: Arrive and Apply in Portugal (Article 15 Route)

Non-EU family members can travel to Portugal (typically visa-free for 90 days) and apply for a residence card after arrival under what’s known as Article 15.

Here’s how it works:

The EU/EEA/Swiss citizen registers at the town hall and gets their CRUE.
The non-EU family member then contacts AIMA (formerly SEF) to request an Article 15 appointment for family reunification.

In theory, this is simple. In practice, there are delays, phone queues, and backlogs. Some people report calling AIMA hundreds of times before getting through. Others have luck using redial apps or joining Facebook groups where appointment drops are announced.

Sandra Gomes Pinto, a Portuguese immigration lawyer, recommends applying for the CRUE as early as possible, even before the three-month period if your câmara allows it. This can help get the ball rolling sooner for your family member’s application.

“Some city councils allow you to register early. If that’s possible, it’s our first strategy: register the EU citizen, then request the family reunification appointment from AIMA.” — Sandra Gomes Pinto

If you’re still waiting for the AIMA appointment after 90 days, don’t panic. As long as you’ve started the process and can show you’ve been trying to contact AIMA, you’re typically not considered overstaying.

Option 2: Apply for a Visa Instead

Due to AIMA delays, some families are choosing to apply for a visa instead — such as the D7 or digital nomad visa — even if they technically don’t need to.

Why?
Because these visas come with a pre-scheduled AIMA appointment, which can dramatically speed things up and reduce stress. It’s more paperwork up front, but less time chasing phone lines. Once you have completed your appointment, and are officially a legal resident, you’ll be able to leave Portugal more freely.

Documents Required for Non-EU Family Members

According to EU law, the following documents are required to register a non-EU/EEA/Swiss family member:

A valid passport
The EU citizen’s CRUE certificate (or proof of residency)
Proof of the family relationship (e.g. marriage or birth certificate)
Additional documents depending on the relationship:
- For children: proof they’re under 21 or financially dependent
- For parents: proof they’re dependent
- For unmarried partners: proof of a long-term relationship (such bills/bank statements that show you living at the same address for 3+ years)

In practice, each AIMA office can ask for slightly different documents, so it’s smart to be overprepared. Bring everything you can think of, including:

Utility bills
NIF document
Bank statements
Atestado de Residência (residence certificate from your Junta de Freguesia)
Certified translations of marriage or birth certificates (dated within 6 months)
An application form (you can fill this in at the appointment or beforehand)

A Few Real-World Tips

Don’t turn up without an appointment. You’ll likely be turned away.
Don’t mention ‘family reunification’ when calling. That phrase refers to the D6 visa process (which is different) and may confuse the person on the other end.
If unmarried, consider getting a união de facto certificate from your Junta de Freguesia. It can save a lot of back-and-forth proving your relationship.

After You Register

Once you have your CRUE (EU citizen) and residence card (non-EU family member), you can apply for:

Número de Utente (SNS number) – for public healthcare
NISS – if you’ll be working or running a business
Portuguese bank account and NIF – if you haven’t already

After five years of legal residence, you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

Final Thoughts

If you’re an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, moving to Portugal is one of the easier relocations you can make. And while things get trickier if your spouse or partner is from outside the EU, the process is still doable — especially with preparation, patience, and persistence.

Just remember: Portugal is famously bureaucratic… but also famously worth it.