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Permanent residence in Portugal is available after five continuous years of legal residence — but your nationality decides which regime and procedure applies.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens obtain a Certificado de Residência Permanente under Article 16.º of Lei n.º 37/2006, requested online through AIMA’s Portal das Renovações since 1 July 2026, with no language test, no means test and no criminal-record condition; the document fee is just €15 online (€18 in person) for adults 25 and over.
Non-EU (third-country) nationals instead apply for an Autorização de Residência Permanente under Article 80.º of Lei n.º 23/2007, submitted in person by appointment at a Loja AIMA, and must show A2-level Portuguese, a clean criminal record and means of subsistence; the AIMA fee is €351.10 (2026 table, Portaria n.º 307/2023).
After five continuous years of legal residence. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens qualify on the five years alone; non-EU nationals also need A2 Portuguese, a clean criminal record and means of subsistence.
Yes. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens get a Certificado de Residência Permanente (Art. 16.º, Lei 37/2006) online through the Portal das Renovações — no language or means test. Third-country nationals get an Autorização de Residência Permanente (Art. 80.º, Lei 23/2007) in person at a Loja AIMA, with A2 Portuguese and a clean record.
For non-EU nationals the AIMA grant fee is €351.10 (2026 table). For EU/EEA/Swiss citizens the certificate fee is €15 online or €18 in person for adults 25 and over (Portaria 13/2024). Translations and, for the non-EU route, the A2 exam are separate.
Only on the non-EU route: it requires A2-level Portuguese (CIPLE or a recognised course). EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have no language requirement.
The EU-citizen certificate has a legal decision time of up to three months. The non-EU route depends on securing a Loja AIMA appointment, which is AIMA-controlled; after a complete submission the card follows over some months.
Related: Full permanent residency guide · AIMA renewal checker
