What are the benefits to permanent residency in PT for an American, if one doesn’t reside in PT? My lawyer says we can still only get 90 days of residency in EU if we are PR in Portugal. Can we divest from the investments without living in PT? Can the kids go to college for free? We are about to fund our investments, but holding off until the vote on the new citizenship rules, and trying to decide if the program is still worth it for PR.
Seems not.
A college in Portugal maybe? Not other EU countries.
I believe there is an EU long-term resident status that gives more benefits (rights) under EU law than the temporary GV residence issued in the first 5 years.
You can’t apply unless you live more-or-less full time in Portugal (some GV holders and D7/D8 should be eligible).
These PR cards are issued under Directive 2003/109/EC after 5 years of national residence to non-EU citizens and provide rights beyond the national border of the issuing EU state.
https://www.eumonitor.eu/9353000/1/j4nvk6yhcbpeywk_j9vvik7m1c3gyxp/vitgbgidl7zy
Key points:
“Long-term residents enjoy equal treatment with the country’s nationals in areas such as employment, education, social security, taxation and freedom of association. However, in certain cases, EU countries may restrict this equal treatment.”
“Long-term residents may move to live, work or study in another EU country for more than 3 months, provided they satisfy certain conditions. They may be accompanied by their family members.”
So for most (but not all) GV holders this isn’t an option but could help some in the period after 5 years residence but before citizenship is granted (ie 10+ years)
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