What can I do in Portugal by proxy? 

Life abroad can require some bureaucracy, making it necessary to seek the help of specialized professionals. A lawyer may be the professional you need to advise you on legal issues relating to the power of attorney, for example. This help can come in two forms: he can be the attorney-in-fact, i.e. represent someone else with the written authorization of the person being represented, or he can write a text for the power of attorney.

Power of attorney in Portugal can help people from any country, including Brazilians, who need someone to resolve their issues in the European country.

The power of attorney with a lawyer occurs when there are no other people to represent the individual on the spot and is usually very common, as the legal professional already acts and represents the client on various fronts. And, with the advance of technology, another way of making powers of attorney is through electronic platforms – reducing costs and the time it takes to send and receive physical documentation.

In addition, it is worth emphasizing the importance of selecting a trustworthy lawyer so that your problems are resolved efficiently and responsibly, and also making sure that the power of attorney contains all the details of both parties involved.

Powers of attorney in Portugal

A power of attorney is a way of designating the power of another person to represent a third party who is absent. In this way, he is authorized to resolve various legal issues and problems, in this case in Portugal.

In addition, the power of attorney can be public, made and registered in the notary’s book where it can be accessed constantly, or private, at the discretion of the needs. Both are commonly accepted. It is worth noting that powers of attorney have an expiration date, depending on the situation.

Acknowledgement of signature

In Portugal, any lawyer can notarize the signature of another person by means of a power of attorney. Acknowledgment is a process that certifies a signature on any document, usually carried out at a notary’s office.

Selling or renting a property in Portugal by proxy

With an ever-increasing influx of Brazilians in Portugal, the question arises as to how to proceed when looking for property. In view of this issue, it is now possible to sell, buy or even rent property through a power of attorney through lawyers – which facilitates the bureaucracy of living at a distance.

Banking in Portugal by proxy

In Portugal, it is also possible to make bank transactions through a power of attorney, but you must specify all your bank details, otherwise the procedure may be prevented by the bank.

You can use a power of attorney:

• Opening and closing bank accounts;
• Request cards;
• Ask for account and savings statements;
• Make withdrawals, transfers and deposits.

Check with your lawyer which types of power of attorney and documents each bank requires so that you don’t run into unexpected problems.

Request TIN by proxy

In Portugal, the NIF stands for Fiscal Identification and is a document with a similar function to the CPF – Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas in Brazil. In short, this is a 9-digit numerical code assigned to all Portuguese resident and non-resident citizens with tax responsibilities in the country. The documentation is responsible for registering your tax activities and collecting income tax, which must be declared annually. It is therefore an essential document for anyone living in Portugal. To obtain it, you need to have a fixed address in Portugal or look for a tax representative in the country – who will apply for the tax identity through a power of attorney.

There is also the alternative of registering by hiring a specialized consultancy that will be responsible for providing assistance throughout the process.

Registration in a professional class by proxy

Registration in a professional class and the equivalence of a Brazilian higher education diploma, i.e. legal registration with a Portuguese institution, are indispensable for those wishing to study for a master’s degree or pursue training in Portugal. So the first step is to present a certificate of completion that is legal and valid in the European country.

Next, you need to find a course whose syllabus is as close as possible to the training in Brazil. In this way, the process can be carried out directly at one of the public universities and/or via the DGES website. However, it is not possible to apply for professional class registration or equivalence online, only in person. This means that, if the citizen is not in Portugal, they will need to go through the whole process by power of attorney, usually transferred to a lawyer.

Marriage or divorce by proxy

As in any other country, getting married or divorced in Portugal requires certain requirements and costs. As far as marriage is concerned, Brazilians can get married in their new destination. However, the documents required are different from those that the Portuguese require when they get married. It’s also worth noting that to get married in Portugal, foreigners must have lived in the country for at least 30 days.

The first step is to declare your intention to marry at the Civil Registry Office (Notary Public), just like a Portuguese citizen. This representation can also be done online, through the Civil Online website, provided that the immigrant couple has been granted the general status of equal rights and duties.

And, as in Brazil, in both cases (union or separation), the legislation provides for proceedings to be carried out through a power of attorney, by public instrument and with special powers. Even for foreigners. However, the power of attorney in question must contain specific powers for one of the acts. To do this, the document must be drawn up in a public registry office and clearly state the powers being granted to the attorney-in-fact.

In the case of a power of attorney for marriage, the name of the person with whom the marriage is to take place, the property regime chosen and whether there will be a change of name must also be registered.

Nationality by proxy

In cases of application for Portuguese nationality or citizenship, the Brazilian applicant can carry out the process through third parties, such as lawyers and specialized consultancies. In fact, this is a very common scenario. Even though it’s popular, many people get bogged down with the specifications required, since for this process the power of attorney needs to be signed in person, i.e. by authenticity. And also be apostilled and duly legalized – containing the digital seal (“Seal of inspection – certificate”, “electronic seal of inspection”, “digital seal” or “Funarpen – digital seal”).

To provide the documentation, it is important to attach a copy of the document request, a proof of residence, marital status and declaration of profession.

How much does it cost to make a power of attorney in Portugal?

A power of attorney that is valid in Portugal can be made at a Brazilian notary’s office or requested at the consulate. If the citizen chooses to have the power of attorney notarized, it must also be apostilled on the spot. A power of attorney for online registration in the European country can cost around 10 euros and payment must be completed within five days of placing the order. Registration for replacement or termination is free of charge. Now, a special public power of attorney can cost up to 30 euros.

Conclusion

Carrying out some procedures by proxy can make bureaucratic processes easier. Therefore, having a lawyer for these procedures is essential, and is one of the first steps to resolving pending issues in Portugal.

In addition, it is worth researching how much it costs to make a power of attorney in the European country, which can vary depending on the region and the situation, and what documents are needed for this.

Finally, maintain direct and clear communication with your lawyer, explaining your needs, wishes and everything that needs to be done so that your legal issues can be resolved successfully.