How to Obtain a Certificate of Length of Residence to Apply for Portuguese Nationality

For those wishing to acquire Portuguese nationality by length of residence, it is essential to prove that you have been legally resident in Portugal for at least five years. One of the ways to prove this is through the Certificate of Length of Residence. This document, issued by AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), is a crucial requirement for starting the nationality process. In this article, we will detail how to apply for this certificate, which documents are required, and other relevant information to ensure that your application is processed efficiently.

1. What is the Residence Time Certificate?

The Time of Residence Certificate is an official document that certifies a foreigner’s periods of legal residence in Portugal. This document is particularly important for those wishing to apply for Portuguese nationality on the basis of length of residence. According to the Nationality Law, residence time can be counted cumulatively, adding up all periods of legal residence in the country, as long as they occur within a maximum interval of 15 years.

Who needs the certificate?

This certificate is necessary for anyone wishing to apply for Portuguese nationality by length of residence, ensuring that the minimum five years of legal residence in Portugal are duly accounted for and recognized by the authorities.

2. How to Apply for a Residence Time Certificate

Ordering steps

1. Filling in the Application Form:
   • The first step in applying for the Certificate of Counting of Residence Time is to fill in the specific application, which can be found on the AIMA website here.
   • In the application, you must clearly state that the certificate is for the purpose of applying for nationality, as well as providing detailed information such as your residence permit number and the reason for the application.
2. Order sent by email:
   • After completing the application, send it together with a copy of your residence permit and passport to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].
   • It is important to wait for a response from AIMA, which will schedule a day and time to receive the order or, alternatively, may process the order entirely by email.
3. Payment of the fee:
   • Issuing the certificate costs 22.00 euros (subject to change due to updates to the fee schedule). This amount must be paid by ATM, as AIMA does not accept cash payments.
   • The certificate will be sent by post to the address indicated on the application, usually within 3 to 6 weeks.

3. Required documents

To ensure that your request is processed without delay, make sure you have all the necessary documents:

• Completed and Signed Application: Available on the AIMA website, this document must be completed with all the requested data and signed by the applicant.
• Copy of Residence Permit: Make sure the copy is legible and up-to-date.
• Copy of Passport: Only the pages containing your identification, signature and photograph are required.
• Proof of payment: When payment has been made, keep the receipt as proof.

Important Tips

• Check the Accuracy of the Data: Any error in filling in the application or in the documents sent may result in delays or even in the rejection of the application.
• Include Additional Information When Necessary: For example, if you are requesting a certificate for a minor, include proof of the minor’s birth as well.

4. Other considerations

Length of Residence Considered

According to the Nationality Law, the five-year period for obtaining nationality can include all periods of legal residence in Portugal, whether continuous or interspersed. This means that even if you have lived outside Portugal for some time, previous periods of legal residence can still be counted, as long as they are within a 15-year interval.

Importance of Legal Residence Registration

It is essential that your legal residence in Portugal is always duly registered and that all renewals of the Residence Permit are carried out on time.

5. Request for a Time Certificate: Alternative Procedures

Although the preferred method is to send the request by email directly to AIMA, there are cases where the process may vary, especially if your case is in different regional directorates. In such cases, it may be necessary to send the request to the specific regional directorate where your case is registered.

Procedure through SEF (previously valid)

Before SEF was replaced by AIMA, requests to count residence time were processed by SEF’s various regional directorates. In this case, the procedure involved:

1. Sending the request by email to the appropriate regional directorate.
2. Payment of a fee of 19.24 euros per certificate issued.
3. Appear at SEF on the date and time indicated to finalize the process.

However, with the creation of AIMA, the procedure has been centralized, which tends to simplify the process for applicants.

6. Conclusion

The Certificate of Length of Residence is an essential document for those wishing to apply for Portuguese nationality by length of residence. The process of obtaining the certificate may seem complex, but by following the steps described above and ensuring that all the documentation is correct, you can guarantee that your application will be dealt with efficiently.

If you need additional assistance or have any doubts about how to proceed, consider consulting an immigration lawyer. A professional can help you avoid common mistakes, ensuring that the process is as simple and quick as possible.

For more information or to start your order, visit the AIMA website or contact the email addresses provided.
Note: Always ensure that you are using the most up-to-date information and that all communications and payments are made through official AIMA channels.