The Certificate of Residency for European Citizens (CRUE) is an important document that confirms your legal residency in Portugal as a citizen of the European Union. This certificate allows you to reside in Portugal under this residence authorization for a maximum period of five years. It is essential to apply for the CRUE if your stay in Portugal exceeds three months.
The CRUE is required for:
Citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Iceland, Andorra, or Norway who plan to become Portuguese residents.
Individuals staying in Portugal for more than three months.
How can we assist you?
The CRUE is issued and collected in person at the Town Hall of your Portuguese residency address. Here are some important points to note:
Each Town Hall in Portugal may have specific requirements, so it's crucial to verify the documents needed in advance.
Generally, the CRUE is issued immediately upon submitting the necessary documents, which may include the following:
Your original passport.
Proof of your residency address (e.g., rental agreement, proof of house ownership, or a certificate from the parish council).
In some cases, proof of financial means.
For example, Lisbon Town Hall may only require your original passport and the completion of a declaration with your residency address. Whereas Porto Town Hall usually requires the original passport, a rental contract, a bank statement, and the NIF.
Relocate Now assists in obtaining your CRUE. Here's how we can help:
Initial Due Diligence: We assess your eligibility for the CRUE.
Local Town Hall Requirements: We review the specific requirements of the Town Hall in your area to ensure you have the necessary documents.
Appointment Scheduling: If required, we can schedule an appointment at the Town Hall at your convenience.
Information: We provide you with details about the Town Hall's address, date, and time.
We can also assist you with:
Renewals: Ensuring that your documents remain valid and up-to-date, if your CRUE has been issued with an expiration period shorter than five years.
Updates: Making necessary changes to your residency information or status.
Reissuance: Obtaining a second copy of your documents in case of loss or damage.
Cancellations: Handling the process of cancelling any residency permits or related documents as needed.
What's not included:
Appointment Assistance: We do not provide in-person support during your appointment.
Public Security Police (PSP) Declaration Assistance: Help with requesting the PSP declaration is not included, particularly for second-copy requests.
Permanent Residence Card Applications: Assistance with applications for permanent residence cards for EU/EEA/Andorra/Switzerland citizens after the 5-year validity of the CRUE is not currently offered.
City Hall fees: the Town Hall charges an additional fee of €15 (VAT exempt) for issuing the CRUE
Our services typically take 48 hours. The issuance of the CRUE at the Town Hall is usually immediate, but the time may vary based on the specific Town Hall and the complexity of your situation.
Our service fees for assisting you in obtaining, renewing, updating, reissuing or cancelling the CRUE are as follows:
Service Fee: €50 (Euros) + VAT.
Please note that in addition to our service fee, the Town Hall charges an additional fee of €15 (VAT exempt) for issuing the CRUE. It's also important to note that these fees cover the convenience and support offered by "Relocate Now" to streamline the process of obtaining your CRUE without the complexities often associated with dealing with public services.
Do children also need to apply for a CRUE?
Yes, if you want to change your child's tax residency, the CRUE is a mandatory requirement.
Which documentation is required to request the child´s CRUE?
The Town Halls ask for a birth certificate and a passport.
I don't have my passport with me. Can I request the CRUE?
Yes, you need to take another valid identification document to the Town Hall appointment.
I'm not in Portugal. Can someone else pick up the CRUE on my behalf?
No, the EU citizen registration certificate must be collected in person by the applicant.
Does having a CRUE mean I am already considered a tax resident in Portugal?
No, to be considered a tax resident in Portugal, you need to change your tax residency with the Portuguese tax authorities. The CRUE will be used for that purpose.
I'm currently staying in a hotel. Can I use that address to request the CRUE?
No, Town Halls only accept residential addresses.
I have an address in Cascais. Can I request the CRUE at the Lisbon city hall?
No, only applicants with an address in the Lisbon municipality can request the certificate at Lisbon Town Hall. In this case, the CRUE must be requested at the Cascais municipal council.
I have changed my address. Do I need to update my CRUE?
Yes, within 60 days of the date on which the change occurs, you must update your CRUE in the City Hall of the area of your new residence. The expiration date will be the same as your previous one.
I lost my CRUE. Is it possible to request a replacement?
Yes, in case of loss, theft, or robbery, you should request a replacement for your CRUE as soon as possible. However, you must first report the incident at a police station, preferably in your area of residence, to declare that the document was lost, stolen, or misplaced. This step must be completed by the individuals themselves. The expiration date will be the same as your previous one.
My CRUE has been issued with a 3-year expiration date. Can it be renewed?
Yes, your CRUE can be renewed. However, it will only be renewed for 2 additional years, as the maximum period you can reside in Portugal under this residence authorisation is 5 years.
I intend to change my address abroad. Do I need to do something in particular before I leave?
Yes, if you plan to move abroad, it is strongly recommended that you cancel your CRUE. This is because the CRUE certifies your residence in Portugal. After its expiration (typically 5 years), if you wish to return, you won't be able to apply for a new CRUE. Instead, you'll need to apply for a permanent residence permit, which involves more complex and time-consuming procedures, if you do not cancel your CRUE in advance.
