Residence Permit — CPLP Citizens
For citizens of Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, Equatorial Guinea and Timor-Leste. Since Law 61/2025 (in force from 23/10/2025), the CPLP Residence Permit can only be requested by people who entered Portugal with a residence visa — you can no longer come as a tourist and regularise later.
Documents and steps
The process must start at the Portuguese Consulate (or its external provider, such as VFS) in the country where you live. You only travel to Portugal once you have the visa. Some documents need an apostille and a certified translation.
Residence visa application (CPLP scheme)
Portuguese Consulate / VFS Global
Cost: €110
Mandatory since 23/10/2025 (Law 61/2025). Fill in the form on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) visa portal and book an appointment to hand in your documents.
Valid passport
Passport office / Federal Police / Consulate
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of entry into Portugal
Criminal record certificate
Federal Police (Brazil) / Ministry of the Interior / Court
Valid for 3 months
Needs a Hague Apostille and a sworn translation into Portuguese (unless it is already in Portuguese)
Proof of means of subsistence
Bank
Reference amount: €920/month (2026 minimum wage) for the applicant, +50% for each additional adult and +30% for each child. CPLP citizens may be exempt if they present a statement of responsibility (from whoever is hosting them, with their tax return and bank statements, or from their employer) or if they have been admitted to higher education.
International health insurance
An insurer in your country
With cover in Portugal. Valid until you have access to the National Health Service (SNS).
2 passport-style photos
White background, face clearly visible, recent
Deal with these steps as soon as you arrive. The residence visa is valid for 4 months — your AIMA application must be made within that period.
NIF — Tax Identification Number
Tax Authority (Finanças / AT) — any tax office
Cost: Free
Bring your passport + proof of address in Portugal (you can use a relative's or your landlord's address).
Proof of address in Portugal
Town Hall (Câmara Municipal) / Parish Council (Junta de Freguesia)
A signed rental contract registered with the Tax Authority, or a signed and certified accommodation statement from your host. Some AIMA offices accept a utility bill (water, electricity) in your name.
NISS — Social Security Numberoptional
Cost: Free
Since July 2026, AIMA generates the NISS automatically during the residence permit process — you no longer need to request it separately from Social Security.
Portuguese bank accountoptional
Any bank (Caixa Geral, BPI, Millennium, etc.)
Not required by AIMA, but essential to receive a salary or pay rent. You need your NIF + passport.
AIMA (which replaced SEF) issues the residence permit. Request your appointment as soon as you arrive and before your visa expires.
AIMA appointment
AIMA portal
Once in Portugal with your residence visa, request an appointment for a CPLP Residence Permit. Check the current booking channels at aima.gov.pt.
Residence permit application form
Available on the AIMA portal or filled in at the appointment
Must be filled in in Portuguese. The application type is 'Autorização de Residência CPLP'.
Passport with the residence visa + copies of every page
Criminal record certificate (up to date)
No more than 3 months old
Proof of address in Portugal
Proof of means of subsistence (up to date)
Bank statements for the last 3 months OR an employment contract in Portugal
Proof of health insurance or access to the SNS
NIF
2 passport-style photos
AIMA fees
Cost: ≈ €133 (application) + €114.30 (card)
AIMA fee table in force since 1/03/2026. Amounts may change — check aima.gov.pt before paying.
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Important notes
- •Information checked in September 2026 against the official sources listed at the end. Immigration rules changed a lot in 2025–2026 — always confirm with the consulate or AIMA before you go ahead.
- •The CPLP Residence Permit allows you to live and work in Portugal. On its own it does not give you the same rights as a Portuguese citizen — that is the Statute of Equal Rights and Duties, which only exists for Brazilian citizens and is requested separately.
- •People in Portugal without a residence visa can no longer apply for the CPLP permit from within the country. If this is your situation, get legal advice before you act.
- •To keep your residence permit you cannot be outside Portugal for more than 6 consecutive months, or 8 months in total, while the permit is valid (unless for justified reasons).
- •After 5 years of legal residence you can apply for Permanent Residence.
- •Portuguese nationality: since Organic Law 1/2026 (in force from 19/05/2026), CPLP and EU citizens need 7 years of legal residence, counted from the date the first residence permit was issued.
- •Permit renewals are done on the AIMA Renewals Portal (portal-renovacoes.aima.gov.pt).
Other visas and permits
Still have a question about this visa?
Ask the community — other immigrants have been through the same, and you will get an email when someone replies. Most answers are in Portuguese.
This information is based on the official AIMA and MNE requirements (2026). The Portuguese version and the official portals prevail — always check them before you act.