Immigration Glossary

A

AIMA

Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum). The new Portuguese agency responsible for immigration and asylum processes, replacing the former SEF. It manages residence permits, visas, and integration policies.

Apostille

A certification required for documents issued in one country to be recognized in another country that is a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention. It legalizes the document for international use.

C

Centro de Saúde

Health Center. The primary public healthcare facility in Portugal where you register to obtain your Número de Utente and access general practitioner services and basic medical care.

Certidão de Registo Criminal (CR)

Criminal Record Certificate. An official document stating a person’s criminal history, often required for visa and residence permit applications in Portugal.

Comprovativo de Morada

Proof of Address. A document required for various administrative processes in Portugal (e.g., NIF, bank account). Can be a rental contract, utility bill, or a declaration from your Junta de Freguesia.

Contrato de Arrendamento

Rental Agreement / Lease Contract. The legal document outlining the terms of renting property in Portugal. Essential for proof of accommodation.

CPLP

Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (Community of Portuguese Language Countries). An international organization of Lusophone nations. Citizenship from a CPLP country can offer advantages in Portuguese immigration processes.

D

D7 Visa

Passive Income Visa. A long-stay visa for non-EU citizens who intend to reside in Portugal and have a consistent, passive income from outside Portugal (e.g., pensions, rental income, investments).

D8 Visa

Digital Nomad Visa. A long-stay visa for non-EU citizens who wish to reside in Portugal while performing remote work for entities outside Portugal.

DGES

Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior (Directorate-General for Higher Education). The central body responsible for higher education policies in Portugal and diploma recognition processes.

Diploma Recognition (Reconhecimento)

The official process of having foreign academic degrees or diplomas recognized and granted equivalence in Portugal for study or professional purposes.

E

EU/EEA/Swiss Citizen

Citizen of a European Union (EU) country, European Economic Area (EEA) country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), or Switzerland. These citizens generally have simpler residency rules in Portugal.

L

Livro Amarelo

Yellow Book. The complaints system for public administration services, managed by AMA (Agência para a Modernização Administrativa). An alternative channel for raising issues.

Livro de Reclamações

Complaints Book. A legally mandated official complaints book (physical and online) to file formal complaints against public service providers like AIMA, obligating them to respond.

Loja do Cidadão

Citizen’s Shop. Government service centers that gather various public services (Finanças, Social Security, IMT, etc.) under one roof.

M

Manifestação de Interesse (MI)

Expression of Interest. A legal mechanism allowing non-EU citizens already in Portugal to regularize their residency status by proving a work contract and social security contributions.

Médico de Família

Family Doctor. A general practitioner assigned to you by your local Centro de Saúde once you are registered with the SNS.

N

NIF

Número de Identificação Fiscal (Tax Identification Number). A unique nine-digit tax number required for almost any financial and administrative activity in Portugal.

NISS

Número de Identificação da Segurança Social (Social Security Identification Number). Required for employment, accessing benefits, and contributing to the social security system.

Número de Utente

Healthcare User Number. Your unique identification number within the Portuguese National Health Service (SNS), essential for accessing public doctors and hospitals.

P

Permissão de Residência

Often used interchangeably with Título de Residência. It’s the official document that grants a foreign citizen the right to reside legally in Portugal.

Provedor de Justiça

Ombudsman. An independent body that defends citizens’ rights against illegal or unjust acts by public administration, such as AIMA.

S

SEF

Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (Foreigners and Borders Service). The former immigration service. Its administrative functions were largely absorbed by AIMA.

SNS

Sistema Nacional de Saúde (National Health Service). Portugal’s public healthcare system, which provides universal healthcare coverage to residents.

Segurança Social

Social Security. The Portuguese social security system, managing contributions and benefits for workers.

T

Título de Residência (TR)

Residence Permit. The official document (physical card) that grants a foreign citizen the legal right to reside in Portugal for a specified period.

U

USF

Unidade de Saúde Familiar (Family Health Unit). A type of Centro de Saúde focusing on a family doctor model, providing primary healthcare services.

V

Visto D

D Visa / Residency Visa. Long-stay visas (e.g., D7, D8) granted by Portuguese Embassies/Consulates, allowing you to enter Portugal to apply for a residence permit.