Documents we work with

These are the documents that come up across Portuguese immigration processes. AIMA spreads them across many pages and links; working out which ones your specific case needs — and putting them in order — is what we do when you open your process.

• Address declaration (statement of honour)

  How to obtain: Completed and signed by you; signature certification recommended.

• Birth certificate

  How to obtain: Civil registry; apostilled/legalised.

• Child's birth registration certificate

  How to obtain: The civil registry (Conservatória do Registo Civil) where the birth was registered.

• Consular registration certificate (with photo)

  How to obtain: Issued by the consulate of the child's country of nationality.

• Criminal record

  How to obtain: Competent authority in each country; apostilled.

• Employer's declaration (employment relationship)

  How to obtain: Requested from your employer (or the client/contracting entity).

• Employment contract for a highly qualified activity

  How to obtain: Signed with your employer in Portugal.

• Form 1 (Modelo 1) — official application form (mandatory)

  How to obtain: Get the current version from AIMA's official page (Impressos e Minutas).

• Health insurance or proof of SNS coverage

  How to obtain: Insurer's policy, or proof of SNS registration (número de utente).

• Host organisation's civil-liability insurance

  How to obtain: Proof issued by the host organisation.

• Host organisation's volunteering declaration

  How to obtain: Issued by the host organisation responsible for the programme.

• Hosting declaration

  How to obtain: Signed by the host; signature certification recommended.

• Job-seeker visa

  How to obtain: Issued by the Portuguese consulate before travelling.

• Long-term resident permit from another EU Member State

  How to obtain: Issued by the immigration authority of the Member State that granted the status.

• Marriage / civil-partnership certificate

  How to obtain: Civil registry of the issuing country; apostilled/legalised.

• Non-resident parent's authorisation (or custody/guardianship decision)

  How to obtain: Authorisation recognised by the Portuguese consular authority, or a certified copy of the custody/guardianship decision.

• Passport

  How to obtain: Issued by the country of nationality. If the passport is lost, expired or about to expire and the family member is already in Portugal, you can usually request a renewal or replacement at that country's consulate or embassy in Portugal — check the address and opening hours on the consulate's official site before going.

• Professional body declaration (regulated profession)

  How to obtain: Issued by the competent professional body or association.

• Proof of a de facto union (over 2 years)

  How to obtain: De facto union certificate from your local parish council, or an equivalent document from the country of origin.

• Proof of admission to a certified incubator (IAPMEI)

  How to obtain: Pre-registration and declaration on the IAPMEI portal (Agência para a Competitividade e Inovação).

• Proof of basic Portuguese (level A2)

  How to obtain: Issued by the school, IEFP, CAPLE or Centro Qualifica, as applicable.

• Proof of compliance with tax and social security obligations

  How to obtain: No-debt certificate from the Portal das Finanças and Segurança Social Direta.

• Proof of continuous stay in Portugal

  How to obtain: Gather dated documents across the years; see AIMA's template.

• Proof of economic dependency

  How to obtain: Transfer receipts, bank statements or other supporting documents.

• Proof of enrolment in a Portuguese education establishment

  How to obtain: Issued by the education establishment where they are enrolled.

• Proof of exercising a highly qualified activity

  How to obtain: An employer's declaration, or proof of starting activity, as applicable.

• Proof of family ties

  How to obtain: Civil registry of the issuing country; duly authenticated.

• Proof of high professional qualifications

  How to obtain: Diplomas, certificates, or proof of relevant professional experience.

• Proof of higher-education enrolment

  How to obtain: Issued by the higher-education institution where you are enrolled.

• Proof of legal entry into Portugal

  How to obtain: Found on the family member's passport/visa (entry stamp or entry visa).

• Proof of means of subsistence

  How to obtain: Employer contract and payslips; declarations from the relevant bodies; pension certificates; bank documents. Templates at aima.gov.pt (Impressos e Minutas).

• Proof of parental responsibility and support

  How to obtain: Gather proof of cohabitation, expenses, and contribution to support.

• Proof of research activity

  How to obtain: Issued by the host institution/body.

• Proof of social security registration (NISS)

  How to obtain: The NISS is free and can be requested online (the "Pedido de NISS – Cidadão Estrangeiro" form on the Social Security portal). If you have an address in Portugal you can request the NIF, NISS and SNS user number all at once. Third-country nationals: passport, work visa and residence permit (or other ID), plus proof of your work situation (e.g. an employment contract). The employer can also make the request.

• Proof of starting independent activity

  How to obtain: Activity-start declaration on the Portal das Finanças; the contract, permanent certificate or receipts, as applicable.

• Proof of tax registration (NIF)

  How to obtain: The NIF is free. Documents: if resident, your ID from your country of origin or passport plus your residence permit; if non-resident, ID/passport plus a tax representative in Portugal; a child without a passport, proof of birth (if using a passport, also include the entry visa for Portugal/Schengen). Apply in person at a tax office (book via CAT 217 206 707) or, through a representative, on the Portal das Finanças e-balcão.

• Proof of temporary residence for at least 5 years

  How to obtain: Your previous and current residence permits issued by AIMA.

• Proof of tuition payment

  How to obtain: Payment receipt or a declaration from the education institution.

• Property deed / land registry

  How to obtain: Tax office (caderneta predial) or notary (escritura).

• Rental contract

  How to obtain: Signed with the landlord and reported to the tax office.

• Residence permit from the Member State where you live

  How to obtain: Issued by that Member State's immigration authority.

• Residence visa or EU Blue Card from another Member State

  How to obtain: Visa issued by the Portuguese consulate; or the EU Blue Card issued by the other Member State.

• School attendance declaration

  How to obtain: Issued by the school the minor attends.

• Sponsor's residence permit

  How to obtain: Issued and renewed by AIMA. The renewal is its own process, separate from this reunification — if you've already applied and are awaiting a decision, finish it before submitting the reunification.

• Traineeship (training) agreement

  How to obtain: Signed with the host company or training body.

• Valid reason to settle in Portugal

  How to obtain: Depends on the reason given (e.g. a contract, proof of enrolment, a family tie).

• Valid residence visa

  How to obtain: Issued by Portugal's consulate/embassy in your country of origin before travelling.