madeira4u - Resources & Information - Applying for a Residency Permit For Living On Madeira
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Animal welfare on Madeira - Aniaml Help Charities & Organisations - SPAD & NAFS
Banking & Finance information for residents & visitors to Madeira
Essential information about driving on Madeira, etiquette, road safety etc.
A Guide to the schools and education system on Madeira
How to manage & who to contact in the event of a medical or other emergency
Madeira event calendar for festivals, celebrations, holidays, and religious events
A guide to eating and drinking on Madeira, including some specialities
Madeira overview - location, geography, culture, economy etc.
Healthcare on Madeira - A guide to how the sytem works, and how to make it work for you
A guide to the political structure of Madeira, at national, regional, and local levels
Miscellaneous informations useful for living on or visiting Madeira
Newspapers and other resources for information for residents and visitors to Madeira
A selection of scenic and other photographs of Madeira
The Portuguese language is spoken on Madeira - some hints and resources to get you started
Trade Directors & Classified Advertisers on Madeira
A guide to buying, selling, and renting property on Madeira, with costing information
Madeira & Portuguese Public Holidays
Residency status abd applying for a residents permit to live on Madeira
Shops & Shopping - a quick guide to shopping on Madeira
Don't ask, just look - some amusing distractions to give you a break
A guide to taxation and tax liability for residents and visitors to Madeira
Information and resources for tourists on Madeira
Travel Guide - Flights, Ferry, Buses, Taxis, & Car Hire / Rental
A guide to english language television and radio on Madeira
A guide to the utilities on Madeira - Electricity, Water, Gas, Internet, and fixed and mobile telephones
Working on Madeira, and setting up your own business or company
Resources & Information - Obtaining Residency on Madeira
'Cartão de Residência'
If you (and your partner, if applicable) are citizens within a european country, without any nationality
complications, you have the right to live, work and retire on Madeira if you comply with the laws and
processes which govern this area. However, you should check your circumstances with the
Portuguese Consulate or Embassy in your country before planning a long term move to Madeira,
regardless of your citizenship and nationality. If you do find yourself living here by default rather than
through long term planning, then there shouldn't be any problems, as many immigrants living on
Madeira have gone through this route and later applied successfully for their residency permit.

For citizens and nationalities outside of the european community countries the rules are more
complicated and the requirements are more stringent, so you should definitely  check with your
nearest Portuguese Consulate or Embassy to see if you are eligible for a residency permit.

The process to apply for a residency permit has been much simplified over recent years because of
the developments within the european community. If you intend to stay on Madeira for more than 183
days, you should apply for either a temporary or permanent residential permit. If you stay for shorter
periods (longer than a normal holiday), then it is necessary to register your presence on Madeira.
Residency will be granted for between one and 10 years, depending on your circumstances, and can
be renewed by following the same process as your original application.

Short term residence can be registered by the hotel or owner of the house in which you are staying,
or you can also go your consulate (in Funchal, for British Citizens already on Madeira), who will
register you and stamp your passport.

Applications for a Residency Permit should be made at the  Serviço De Estrangeiros E Fronteiras
(SEF), Unit 16, Loja Do Cidadão, Avenue Arriaga, n.º42-A, 9000-064 Funchal. Opening Hours 8.30 to
19.30 Monday to Friday, and 8.30 to 13.30 on Saturdays. If using the website link above, it can be
switched into english language.

The information you need to take depends on your circumstances, for example if you are working or
retired, your residential permit will be granted after production of different documents.

The best way to find out what you need to do is to attend the SEF, taking as many documents with
you as you can think of. Include your NIF number issued by your Finances Office, birth certificates,
marriage certificates, passports, bank statements that show you have sufficient money to live on, or
evidence of a private income, medical insurance policy (if you have one), proof of pension,
employment contract and any other official documents that you can lay your hands on. You may be
asked to obtain a translation into Portuguese for some documents, and you will be told what
additional documents and information you need to provide. There will be some costs involved, and
depending on your circumstances you should budget at least €300 per person, though this could
well be lower.

If you can't find out what you need here, go to the SEF website - CLICK HERE
DISCLAIMER - THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE PROFESSIONAL
ADVICE, AND IS PROVIDED FOR BRIEF GUIDANCE ONLY, ON A BEST ENDEAVORS BASIS. NO
RESPONSIBILITY CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR THE ACCURACY OF INFORMATION SHOWN HERE

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This is the first stop for applying for
Portuguese residency to live on Madeira