How Can International Students Get PR in Portugal in 2025?

Do you want to stay in Portugal permanently as an international student? Are you asking yourself- Can international students get PR in Portugal? You have come to the right place! This blog covers everything you need to know about the Portugal PR You can learn about the steps to get a PR as an international student, the PR eligibility criteria, requirements, and the application process. The Portugal Temporary Residence Permit is available after a stay of 5 years. Keep reading to learn more.

Can international students get PR in Portugal? An Overiew 

International students cannot get PR in Portugal directly. However, you can choose to stay back in Portugal. This can be done by applying for a job seeker permit. Thereafter, you can apply for a work permit and residency. After staying in the country for 5 years, you become eligible to apply for PR.

Does a Student Visa Lead to Permanent Residency in Portugal?

A student visa does not automatically lead to permanent residency. A student visa comes with expiry and is only available to international students to study. It is not given as a permanent residence permit. 

Can international students get PR in Portugal? The answer is- if you want a PR in Portugal you can choose to stay back after completing your studies in Portugal. After staying in Portugal for 5 years you become eligible for Permanent Residency. 

How to Get PR in Portugal for International Students?

Can international students get PR in Portugal? International students can get PR in Portugal after they have stayed in the country for 5 years. You can obtain a PR by following the steps below-

Complete Your Education 

The first step is to complete your education in Portugal. You can enrol at any of the top universities in Portugal. For PR, you need to take up long-term studies to get a residence permit for studies. For example, a Bachelor’s course, a master’s programme, or a PhD. The duration you have spent on studies is not counted as the duration for Permanent Residency.

Apply for Job Search

After completing your education you can apply for the post study visa in Portugal. It is called the ‘work search visa’, During the validity period of this visa, you can search for employment in the country. Once you get a job you can apply for a work permit. This visa is valid for a period of `120 days and can be extended for up to 60 days.

Apply for a Temporary Stay Visa

After getting a job offer you can switch to a temporary stay visa. This visa is valid for 1 year and is renewable. If you are in Portugal you need to convert this visa to a residence permit. You can cover the visa by visiting the local office of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). Renew your residence permit when required. 

A residence permit is typically valid for 1-2 years and can be extendable for 3 years. For example, a residence permit for teaching activity falls under this spectrum.

Apply for Permanent Residency

By staying in the country for 5 years you become eligible to apply for PR. The Portugal PR is valid for 5 years. However, you need to meet the additional requirements to meet the PR eligibility.

How to Get a Portugal Work Visa from India in 2025?

Portugal PR Eligibility Requirements for International Students 

Can international students get PR in Portugal? You can get a PR if you stay for 5 years. The basic eligibility criteria you need to meet are provided below-

Basic Eligibility for Portugal PR	Description
You must have stayed in Portugal	5 years of stay
The stay must be continuous	During the 5 years, you must not have gone out of Portugal
You must not have a criminal record	Must not have been convicted of any criminal offence
Your temporary residence must be valid	You must apply when your current permit is valid
You must not have any debts	Must not have any outstanding debt in the county
Must have arranged a residency	You must have a place to stay in the country. This can be your purpose or a rented place.
Have health insurance	Ideally, a person must have a valid health insurance
Knowledge of Portuguese	Reached at least A2 level

What Documents are Required for Permanent Residence in Portugal?

Can international students get PR in Portugal? You can get a PR if you stay for 5 years. The following documents are required to be submitted for permanent residency application.

Documents	Description
Passport	Your passport must be valid at the time of application
Photos	Passport-size photos in colour with a blank background
Proof of funds	You need to have sufficient funds to cover your expenses
Proof of accommodation	Submit property papers, lease agreements, etc
Authorization for consultation of the criminal record	Proof that you do not have a criminal record
Proof of tax payments	You must have paid taxes and fulfilled obligations for social security
Proof of language proficiency	You must prove that you know basic Portuguese. For example,a  Certificate of eligibility issued by an official Portuguese teaching establishment

How Do I Apply for PR in Portugal?

Can international students get PR in Portugal? You can apply for Permanent Residency in Portugal by following the steps below-

1. Visit the official website– (www.aima.gov.pt) You can visit this website to process any residency application. This includes a permanent residence permit 
2. Gather the necessary documents– At this stage, you need to gather the relevant documents for PR.
3. Apply online- You can send the application online. The application form is available on this website. 
4. Schedule an appointment- You can be required to schedule an appointment with the respective authorities. Under the permanent residence page, there will be an option to schedule your appointment.
5. Bring your documents- You need to bring your documents and print out the application form (if applicable), on the date of your appointment. Your biometrics will be taken on this day.
6. Application processing- Your application for PR will be processed. 
7. Decision– After a decision is taken you will be made aware of the same.

Note– It is best to call the relevant authorities to confirm the application process. The above application process is just a general outline.

To learn about top jobs in Portugal, watch this video:

Where to Apply for a Portugal PR as an International Student?

If you have any concerns regarding the Permanent residency application, it is best to contact the relevant authorities. The details of the same are provided below:

Particulars	Email	Contact (Phone/Mobile)
Public Service Bureaus	[email protected]	Phone – 217 115 000Mobile -965 903 700

How Long is a Portugal PR Valid For?

Can international students get PR in Portugal? You can apply for a PR after 5 years of stay. The Portugal PR validity period is as follows:

Particulars	PR validity	PR Renewability
Portugal Permanent Residence Permit	Indefinite (However, you need to renew the same)	You need to renew the PR after every 5 years

Understand the cost of living in Portugal-Expense, Rent and Fees

How Much Time Does It Take to Get PR in Portugal?

Can international students get PR in Portugal? You can get a PR after 5 years of stay in the country. However, it can take longer to meet this duration as the time you stipend on a residence permit for study is not counted towards the PR time. Once an application is made the processing takes place. The processing time is as follows-

Particulars	PR Processing Time
Portugal PR Processing Time	Approximately 6 to 12 months

Note- This is just a general estimate. The exact duration can vary depending on the application. For example, if you haven’t submitted all the required documents your application processing can take longer.

What Happens After 5 Years of Residency in Portugal?

After you have stayed in Portugal for 5 years on a temporary residence permit, you become eligible to apply for PR. The 5 years of stay is a mandatory time period you must stay in the country. However, to get a PR you must meet the additional PR requirements. For example, arranged accommodation in Portugal for the duration of stay.

Is It Difficult to Get PR in Portugal as an International Student?

Can international students get PR in Portugal? Yes. If you stay in the country for 5 years. However, it is moderately difficult to get a PR in Portugal as an international student. There are several reasons for it. Some of these reasons are provided below-

1. Your study time is not counted- Unlike other Schengen countries like Iceland, your study time is not counted for PR. Only the time you spend on a temporary residence permit for work is counted for PR. Therefore, it is best to go on a Portugal work visa rather than on a student visa.
2. Does not require investment– On the positive side, Portugal does not require you to invest your money to grant you a PR.
3. Ease of renewability- Your PR application can be automatically renewable. It is only getting the first PR that is difficult.
4. Work Permit- The duration of your temporary residency permit is tied to your work permit The duration varies depending on the type of work you are undertaking. If you are a seasonal worker you will not get a long-term residence permit.

What are the Benefits of PR in Portugal?

Can international students get PR in Portugal? After staying in the country for 5 years, you can apply for PR. There are several benefits of getting a PR. Some of these benefits include-

1. Live, study, or work in Portugal for an indefinite period
2. Travel to other schengen states without a visa for up to 90 days of stay
3. You can stay a politically stable country and rank high on global safety rankings.
4. You can get similar rights as a Citizen of Portugal
5. You can also access social security benefits like healthcare benefits.
6. Some of the universities have changed the tuition fees for Permanent residents 
7. You have access to the EU, so you can easily conduct business activities 
8. It is a pathway to citizenship

How Many Years Does it Take to Get Citizenship in Portugal?

Can international students get PR in Portugal? Yes. After staying in the country for 5 years, international students can apply for a PR. The PR is the pathway to citizenship. You can apply for citizenship by naturalisation as a non-EU national. To obtain citizenship you must have stayed in the country for 5 years on a PR. You must also meet the additional citizenship requirements. For example, you must be above 18 years of age to apply for citizenship.

Alternative Paths to PR in Portugal

Can international students get PR in Portugal? Yes. International students can apply for a PR after staying in the country for 5 years. However, there are other alternative paths to PR. They are as follows-

1. You can directly go on a work visa, and apply for a residence permit for work. Thereafter stay for 5 years.
2. You can get a D7 visa as a financially independent person (If you have a stable income of at least EUR 870 per month
3. You can also choose to reunite with your family members. If your family members are already hold a residence permit
4. Those with a refugee status can request for asylum in Portugal
5. If you are an investor you can get a residence permit by investment. You need to invest at least EUR 250000 – EUR 500000.

FAQs

Can I work in UK with Portugal PR?

Yes. You can work in the UK with a Portugal PR. However, you need to apply for a UK work visa to enter the country. Moreover, as a permanent resident of Portugal, you cannot leave the country for many years at a time. For example, stays over 2 years might mean fewer chances of PR renewability.

Can I buy PR in Portugal?

No. You cannot buy PR. You need to stay in the country for at least 5 years on a temporary residence permit to get a PR.

Is it easy to get PR in Portugal?

It is moderately difficult to obtain a PR as an international student, This is because your study time is not counted towards time for PR. However, you can stay in the country for at least 5 years on a temporary residence permit (as a worker) and apply for PR.

What is Portugal permanent residency vs citizenship?

As a permanent resident, you will be granted the same rights as a citizen. However, you will not receive voting rights or the right to hold public office. Therefore, if you want these rights you can become a citizen of Portugal 

We hope you now have the answer to your question- Can international students get PR in Portugal? Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or visit our visa page for more such articles. You can also connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey! 

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