How to move from Argentina to Portugal
Looking for economic opportunities and a better quality of life? Here’s our guide on how to move from Argentina to Portugal!
Article by Viv Europe - Official Legal and Relocation Partner to KipperTree.
July 25, 2023
Read the full article here
Deciding to relocate to a new country is a significant decision that can significantly impact your life. Portugal is an increasingly attractive destination for individuals seeking a fresh start for personal, professional, or cultural reasons. If you’re currently residing in Argentina and contemplating a move, read our guide on moving from Argentina to Portugal. By the end, you’ll be able to decide whether this is the right decision for you!
Portugal is quite popular among travel circles and is home to people from all over the world, including Argentina. More than anything, the country’s economy is emerging, and expats have found their haven. In this article, we’ll explore some compelling reasons why Portugal could be your next ideal home and also shed some light on the intricacies of moving from Argentina to Portugal.
Keep reading until the end to learn how to improve your life and whether this move sounds right for you. Let’s get right in!
How to move from Argentina to Portugal
The process of moving from Argentina to Portugal is quite simple. To begin, people choose to move to Portugal for different reasons. Usually, your reasons for moving will dictate how long you will stay in the country, ultimately informing the process and documents you will need. Argentine citizens and citizens of other Schengen visa-exempt countries do not need a visa to enter Portugal for short stays of up to 90 days within 180 days for tourism, business, or family visits.
This is possible due to Portugal being a part of the Schengen Area, a group of 26 European countries that have abolished passports and other types of border control at their mutual borders.
However, if you intend to stay longer, you will need to apply for a visa that will grant you entry and allow you to apply for a residency permit.
How can I apply for a Portugal Residence Visa from Argentina?
Applying for a Portugal Residence Visa from Argentina involves several steps and requires careful attention to the specific visa category you are eligible for. Decide which residence visa category suits your purpose of moving to Portugal. Common types include work, study, family reunification, retirement, and investment visas.
Each visa category has specific requirements, so choose the one that matches your situation. Collect all necessary documents to support your visa application. The exact documents may vary depending on the visa type you are applying for.
Contact the Portuguese embassy or consulate in Argentina to schedule an appointment for your visa application submission. Be prepared for potential delays in appointment availability, so plan ahead and have all the necessary documents ready.
If it is your first time interacting with the process, you might need help from professional immigration consultants like Viv Europe to help you with the application.
What are the types of Portugal Residence Visa that Argentines may apply for?
Argentines interested in moving to Portugal have several types of residence visas they can apply for, depending on their purpose of stay. The most common types of Portugal Residence Visas that Argentines may apply for include:
Work Visa: This Visa is for individuals with a job offer from a Portuguese employer.
Business Visa: This Visa is an option for individuals intending to invest in or create a business in Portugal.
Study Visa: Students accepted into a recognized educational institution in Portugal can apply for this Visa to pursue their studies.
Family Reunification Visa: This Visa is for family members of Portuguese citizens or foreign residents who wish to join them in Portugal.
Passive Income Visa: Individuals with sufficient financial means, such as retirees, may apply for this Visa to live in Portugal.
Digital Nomad Visa: Self-employed individuals or freelancers who plan to work remotely in Portugal can apply for this Visa.
Golden Visa: The Golden Visa program offers residency to non-EU citizens who make qualifying investments in Portugal, such as real estate, creating jobs, or supporting cultural heritage.
Remember that applicants must meet each visa category has specific requirements and conditions. As such, it is essential to carefully review the requirements of each type of Visa and have everything available beforehand.
Documentation needed in general
As mentioned earlier, different types of visas need different documentation for processing. Look at the following general documentation requirements for the types of Visas, according to Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras.
Passport: Ensure your Passport is valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay in Portugal.
Visa application form: Complete and sign the application form available on the official website of the Portuguese embassy or consulate in Argentina.
Passport-sized photos: Provide recent passport-sized photos that meet the specified requirements.
Proof of purpose: Provide documents related to your reason for moving to Portugal. For example, a job offer, acceptance letter from a university, or family relationship proof.
Financial proof: Show evidence of sufficient funds to cover your stay in Portugal. Such as bank statements, employment contracts, or sponsorship letters.
Accommodation proof: Provide a housing arrangement, such as a rental agreement or property ownership documents.
Travel insurance: Obtain travel medical insurance valid for the entire Schengen Area.
Obtaining a Residence Permit to live in Portugal from Argentina
After successfully receiving your Visa and making your way to Portugal, the next order of business is to apply for a residence permit. This particular document will allow you not only to live legally in the country but also to work in the country. Schedule a visit to the Immigration and Borders Service and apply for a Portugal residency permit.
This particular document is only valid for one year and can be renewed twice for two years extension at a time. Fortunately, after living in Portugal for 5 years, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship and a permanent residency permit.
Before applying for a permanent Residence Permit, you must show proof of sufficient funds and accommodation. Here are some of the documents that you will need to produce during the application:
Social security number
ID card
Tax number
Proof of address
Passport
What do Argentines need to do to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?
As aforementioned, the Golden Visa is one way to enter Portugal. Unlike other types of Visas, this particular option comes with several advantages. With the Golden Visa, you can travel and work in any country within the Schengen zone.
The advantages of this type of Visa also extend to the immediate members of your family. However, since the Golden Visa rules keep updating, we highly recommend that you get in touch with an expert before starting your application.
So, what do you need when applying for this Visa? First, you need to identify a good investment option since this Visa is exclusive to ex-pats interested in investing in a field of their choice in Portugal.
Some popular investments to consider include real estate, capital transfer, and research activities, just to mention a few. Once that is complete, here are the documents you must provide.
Clean Criminal Record: You must provide a clean criminal record from your country of origin and any country where you have resided for more than one year.
Valid Passport: You must have a valid Passport.
Proof of Funds: You must demonstrate sufficient funds to support yourself and your family while in Portugal.
Health Insurance: You must have valid health insurance coverage in Portugal.
Application Process: Submit all the required documents and the Golden Visa application to the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF).
What is the cost of living in Portugal compared to Argentina?
To find out, finish reading the article here