Just to report that the Atestado de Residencia has been obtained very easily as my local Junta de Freguesia. Thanks again to @mborcherding for the tip!
2 Likes
You are most welcome.
1 Like
I realized recently that when I made my plane reservations months ago to return to the US for a short teaching assignment, I hadn’t considered how long SEF would take to set a date for my biometric appointment. My flights to the US and return flight to Portugal transited through Amsterdam or Paris, and of course I have overstayed the Schengen 90 day tourist limit… Had to cancel and re-book both flights to avoid transiting a Schengen country and having to go through passport control. One of the downsides to moving to Portugal after a GV pre-approval .
1 Like
Maxine- did you get in and out ok in the end?
1 Like
I got out- Remains to be seen if I get back in. I fly on the 16th.
5 Likes
Thanks. Would be great to know how you go in a few weeks if you have to time to come back to update us. I’m guessing you still don’t have a biometric appointment? I’ll be in the same position in January… incredibly stressful so good luck.
1 Like
Hi!! Did you make it ok? 
Breezes right through passport control He barely looked at my passport- just stamped it and I left to get my bags
4 Likes
Oh that’s the best news I’ve heard for ages!! Well done you, (and get booking some flights me!)
1 Like
How long did you over stay in Portugal? Was you out of Portugal long enough to “gain” any days back for re-entry?
1 Like
@mborcherding and All - can you please remind me what official document (despacho?) permits the entry and stay in PT with pre-approval papers only?
2 Likes
I moved to Portugal on March 15 and stayed in the States 3 weeks before returning to Portugal. As a golden visa applicant I only need to be in country 7 days a year, but I do live here perminantly. However, since I have overstayed my Schengen 90 day visa I can’t travel to any Schengen country until I get my residence card, and who knows how long that will take. Been waiting for my SEF appointment for more than 14 months.
3 Likes
Thanks for replying! Did you have to show any documentation , proof of SEF application etc… on re-entry into Portugal?
Looks like I have found the answer to my own question 
https://dre.pt/dre/detalhe/despacho/12870-c-2021-176908200
I believe this is the latest ‘despacho’ on this subject, dated 31 Dec 2021.
2 Likes
Barely showed my passport. He stamped it in a hurry, no questions, and I was on my way. Frankly, I was shocked.
3 Likes
Tommy - Thanks for this link. I’ve read it a couple of times, but I’m struggling to interpret it, tbh.
So - somewhere within this content, is it saying that it is “legal” to start living in Portugal, after Pre-approval of GV has been confirmed?
I’m unclear at exactly what stage of the GV application process an individual is able to start going to Portugal and overstaying the 90/180 rule.
I have only just been pre-approved, so am expecting many many months of waiting to even be invited for a biometrics appointment… let alone attend one! Obtaining my card realistically isn’t going to happen at least, and at best, until 2024.
I’d like to ascertain now though, when I can legally go to Portugal and remain beyond 90 days?
I think my lawyer has said this will not be until I have the residence card literally in my hand. But based on submissions on this thread, I’m not sure if this is correct, and maybe I can challenge my lawyer on this point?
Any insights/ advice/ thoughts on this topic will really be most gratefully received!!
1 Like
I personally have not tested this ‘Despacho’ as I have not yet overstayed.
Everyone I showed it to though seemed very surprised and impressed 
Including my lawyer, my customs broker, my local Financas office…
You should look for the quote which talks about ‘pending processes with SEF’ or something along those lines.
There you go, I have found it:
“ considera-se ser regular a sua permanência em território nacional, com processos pendentes no Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF)”
I definitely have a “pending process with SEF”, I even have the ‘process number’ - that’s the one showing on your SEF ARI portal if you look it up.
1 Like
Tommy,
Where did you find this quote? Would you please share the source (unless, of course, it is strictly confidential)?
Thank you.
This quote is from the document I shared in my post above in Nov’22