Despite the fact that Portugal rarely appears on the list of the most popular destinations for emigration, it has long been home to one of the largest Ukrainian communities in Europe. Starting in 2022, after the full-scale invasion of Russia, many Ukrainians found temporary shelter here. However, some of them are already considering the possibility of staying in the country for a long time — with the future, stability and gradual integration in mind. For such cases, there is a mechanism for obtaining a long-term residence permit, which turns the status of a temporary resident into a full-fledged resident with almost the same rights as Portuguese citizens.
What is a long-term residence permit and why is it needed?
The Portuguese long-term residence permit “Autorização de Residência Permanente” is not an extension of the previous residence permit, but a complete new status. It can be obtained by foreigners who have legally lived in the country for at least five years. This authorization guarantees an almost complete set of rights available to citizens of the European Union, with the exception of political ones – in particular, the right to vote.
Unlike a temporary permit, which must be renewed every two years, a permanent residence permit paves the way for long-term stability. It allows you to freely stay in the country without the need to periodically confirm your right of residence, receive state medical services, use the social security system, enroll in educational institutions, get a job or develop your own entrepreneurial activity.
Residents with this permit can also move freely within the Schengen zone without the need to obtain additional visas. This creates additional opportunities for study, employment or business in other EU countries.
At the same time, it should be clearly understood: a long-term residence permit is not equivalent to citizenship. He does not give a Portuguese passport and does not allow him to vote in national elections. In addition, the procedure for obtaining it requires careful preparation: it involves the collection of documents, financial expenses, knowledge of the language, as well as compliance with formal requirements.
Who can apply for permanent resident status?
Anyone who has lived in Portugal continuously and legally for the past five years is eligible to apply. This term may include periods of stay based on various visas or permits, including work, study, business, or D-series visas. But at the same time, there is an important caveat: the status of temporary protection, which Ukrainians have received en masse since 2022, does not automatically count towards this deadline.
Exceptions in the form of long-term departure from the country are allowed only within the limits of six consecutive months or a total of ten months for the entire five-year period. In addition, to confirm integration, it is necessary to prove knowledge of the Portuguese language at a level not lower than A2 – the corresponding certificate can be obtained after passing an exam, in particular within the framework of the CAPLE system.
Ukrainian temporary protection status
Temporary protection, or protégé temporária, which was massively issued to Ukrainians after the start of a full-scale war, is not legally equivalent to a general residence permit. That means it doesn’t start the five-year countdown required to get a long-term permit.
To start such a countdown, Ukrainians can apply for another type of permit. The most common options are: work visa (D1), highly skilled visa (D3), D7 passive income visa, business visa (D2), study permit (D4) or family reunification status. It is from the date of issuance of one of these permits that the official period of legal stay in the country begins, which may later become the basis for submitting an application for long-term residence.
At the same time, at the government level in Portugal, the issue of the possibility of a humanitarian mechanism for Ukrainians who have been in the country under temporary protection for a long time has already been raised, but so far this initiative has not been implemented in practice.
How to apply and where to apply
After completing five years of legal residence, you need to apply to AIMA – the Migration and Asylum Agency. It is this body that is currently responsible for considering all applications for residence permits. Registration for submission of documents takes place through the electronic portal or the AIMA telephone line. In some cases, through the SAPA platform.
Before submitting, you must collect a complete package of documents. If the validity period of the temporary permit has almost expired, it is worth renewing it first. After receiving and submitting the application, the applicant is called to submit biometric data, after which it remains only to wait for a decision.
On average, the processing of a case lasts from one to three months, but in certain regions, especially in Lisbon or Porto, the waiting time can increase to six months or more.
In case of a positive decision, the applicant receives a permanent resident plastic card valid for five years. Later, it will be possible to renew it, and after a long stay in the country – to apply for citizenship.
What documents must be provided
As of 2025, the mandatory documents for submission are:
- valid foreign passport;
- valid temporary residence permit;
- documents confirming residence in Portugal during the last five years (registration of place of residence, lease agreements, utility bills);
- certificate of criminal record issued by the Portuguese authorities;
- a similar certificate from Ukraine, translated and legalized;
- language certificate of knowledge of Portuguese at level A2 or higher;
- documents confirming financial independence (tax declarations, income certificates);
- medical insurance;
- two color passport-size photos;
- a receipt for the payment of the administrative fee.
In certain cases, additional documents may be required — in particular, birth certificates or marriage certificates.
Terms and cost of registration
The whole process — from registration to obtaining a permit — can last from six months to a year, taking into account queues and the volume of documents. In metropolitan areas such as Lisbon or Porto, waiting times are often longer, so you should plan your appointment in advance.
The amount of the administrative fee in 2025 is approximately 260-270 euros. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the costs of legalization of documents, translations, certificates, insurance, etc.
Issuing a long-term residence permit is a difficult but important stage for those Ukrainians who have decided to link their future with Portugal. This status opens the way to stability, legal protection, and full participation in society. And although the procedure requires effort, it allows you to confidently plan your future in the country that has become your second home. For many Ukrainians, this permit is not just a document, but a symbol of the fact that the new country has accepted them as its own.
Useful sources:
AIMA – Migration and Asylum Agency: https://aima.gov.pt
Official information on visas and residence: https://vistos.mne.gov.pt
CAPLE – Portuguese language exams: https://caple.letras.ulisboa.pt
Instituto Camões site with Portuguese language courses: https://www.instituto-camoes.pt
