Guide to Obtaining a Residence Permit for Employed Workers in Portugal: Article 88, Paragraph 2

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on obtaining a residence permit for employed workers in Portugal. If you’re considering working in Portugal and need information on the application process, required documents, and key conditions, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through the steps outlined under Article 88, Paragraph 2 of the law, providing you with a clear understanding of the requirements and procedures involved. Whether you’re already in Portugal or planning to relocate, this information will help you navigate the process with ease and ensure a smooth transition into working and residing in this beautiful country.

1. Application Process:
   • Preferably submit an expression of interest through the SAPA Portal (electronic platform).
   • Complete and sign the standard application form, which can be submitted in person at any SEF directorate or regional delegation.
   • SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) will process the application and forward it to the appropriate regional delegation based on the applicant’s area of residence.
2. Required Documents:
   • Passport or valid travel document.
   • Proof of regular entry into Portuguese territory (valid visa or entry within the visa waiver period).
   • Proof of sufficient means of subsistence according to Order Number 1563/2007.
   • Criminal record extract from the country of origin and the country of residence (if not Portugal).
   • Permission for SEF to check the Portuguese criminal record.
   • Evidence of adequate accommodation.
   • Registration with the Social Security (except for promised employment contracts).
   • Registration in the tax authority.
   • Employment contract or promised employment contract as per the law.
3. Conditions for Residence Permit:
   • The absence of any disqualifying factors known to the competent authorities.
   • No conviction for a crime punishable by a prison term of over one year in Portugal.
   • Not within a period of prohibition from entering Portugal due to expulsion.
   • No indication in the Schengen Information System or SEF’s Integrated Information System for non-admission purposes.
4. Automatic Pre-scheduling System (SAPA):
   • SAPA allows online submission of expressions of interest under Article 88, Paragraph 2 or Article 89, Paragraph 2 of the Law on Foreigners.
   • Users can register, submit their expression of interest, upload required documents, and receive notifications from SEF electronically.
   • Applicants with existing registrations in the previous SAPA version can update their expression of interest in the new SAPA.
   • The use of the new SAPA eliminates the need for submitting applications on paper.
5. Additional Information:
   • Residence permits for employed workers are valid for two years from the date of issue, renewable for successive periods of three years.
   • Administrative offenses related to illegal stay, no entry declaration, unauthorized independent professional activity, and no travel document may apply.