Brexit Support Services
Latest Brexit Updates
Substantial progress in the process of exchanging the residency documents of registered British nationals.
After the successful pilot programmes of Madeira and Azores, followed by the biometric data collection (required to issue the residency cards) at the Cascais Citizens Bureau, there have now been further developments in Lisbon. From 21st September British nationals...
Appointments for the exchange of residency documents for British nationals now available
After many months of waiting, from 10th August British nationals resident in Cascais who have registered under the Withdrawal Agreement are being notified regarding the availability of appointments. The notifications are being made by SEF to the individual national’s...
THERE’S STILL A SMALL WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR THE NHR STATUS UNDER THE CURRENT RULES
NHR current rules valid until 31st March 2020 as 2020 Budget comes into force 1st April 2020 The 2020 Budget, which was approved by Parliament on 6th February will result in some important changes to the NHR programme, particularly for NHRs in receipt of pension...
Brexit Support Services and Team
EDGE can provide full assistance to British nationals concerned about Brexit, whether in relation to British nationals living in Portugal, British nationals considering moving to Portugal pre-Brexit and British nationals moving after Brexit.
We have always had a very strong relationship with the British Embassy, having participated in a number of Embassy initiatives over the years and also have supplied the Honorary Legal Advisor for the past 7 years.
Most recently at the in December 2019, EDGE hosted two Brexit events “Life After Brexit – Living And Working In Portugal” in Lisbon and the Algarve. The Lisbon event was attended by representatives of the British Embassy and a report on the Algarve event appeared in the Resident https://www.portugalresident.
Our objective is to provide Brexit solutions, including the establishment of residency rights prior to January 2020.
These services will include:
Full pre-Brexit Service
Residency rights
Driving Licence and Health Centre Registration
Principal Brexit no deal concerns
Residency
(i) The current position
Law number 27-A/2019 states that in the event of no deal, British citizens who have established their residency rights prior to January 2020 will continue to enjoy those rights. British citizens who will not have officially established those residency rights beforeJanuary 2020 will have until 31st December 2020 to establish those rights, provided that they can prove residency.
(ii) How to establish residency
A British national, being an EU citizen until at least January 2020, officially establishes these rights in the normal way i.e. through an EU Residency Certificate issued by the local city or town hall. The prerequisites for this certificate vary but the general common requirement is to be able to prove residency through a rental agreement or property title deed. This certificate is valid for 5 years and the exchange of it for a temporary residency permit will be facilitated after Brexit. The certificate can be requested after January 2020 provided that evidence of Portuguese residency at the time of Brexit can be produced e.g. a tax return, a property deed, a rental agreement or an employment contract (this will be assessed on a case basis).
(iii) Other considerations when establishing residency
Establishing official residency does not automatically confer tax residency but consideration should be given, and tax advice taken, on the requirements and effects of registering as a Portuguese tax resident. Many British nationals are registered as Non Habitual Tax residents and this is something on which we can also advise.
Electoral and Political Rights
Driving Licences
Health Care
Access to healthcare will continue to be granted. However, for this British nationals who have already established residency rights, it would be prudent to register at the local Health Centre before January 2020.