Foreign Residents

EXCHANGE OF RESIDENCE DOCUMENT FOR BRITISH CITIZENS RESIDING IN PORTUGAL

12 May 2021 min de leitura

British citizens who legally resided in Portugal before January 1, 2021, have their rights protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. However, they must verify that they are registered correctly, as well as exchange their current residence document for a new title that attests to their resident status.

This new title replaces the EU residence certificate previously issued, and applies to ‘Registration Certificates issued by City Councils’, as well as ‘Permanent Residence Certificates issued by SEF – Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service’.

This involves exchanging the EU resident document for a new biometric card. The request is made through the Brexit portal of the Portuguese Border and Immigration Service (SEF), allowing British nationals to register online.

With the formalization of the application on the SEF Portal, applicants can download the proof of change request in digital format (document with QR code), which can be printed and used whenever they travel and which proves their residence in Portugal.

Since the beginning of this year and following the request to change the residency document, it is requested to make an appointment to visit one of the 38 service offices throughout the country, to proceed with the collection of biometric data (photo, signature and fingerprints) for the new document.

Registration for the exchange of the residence document on the Portal will be available until the end of June 2021. Subsequently, it will be necessary to schedule an interview directly with SEF to proceed with the exchange of the residence document.

Previous residence permits in the EU will continue to be valid until the new document is issued.

UK citizens who live in Portugal before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, and UK children who are family members of residents can be registered as established in the Withdrawal Agreement.

British citizens living in Portugal since 1 January 2021 may need a residence visa and must follow the applicable process.

Family members of UK citizens who are third-country nationals must follow the normal process for renewing their residence card.

Briti sh citizens who already res ided in Portugal before 1 January 2021 and have not yet exchanged their res idence document, should send an email to brexit@sef.pt, to regi s ter, where a scanned copy or a pas sport photograph mus t be included as well as proof of addres s and proof of s tay in Portugal before January 2021. For more information, consult the SEF Brexit portal or call the SEF Brexit helpline (+351 21 711 50 45).

Source: martinezechevarria.pt

Foreign Residents