Foreign citizens residing in Portugal

The following foreign citizens, over 17 years of age, residing in Portugal, have the right to register for the electoral register:

A. National citizens of European Union countries with legal residence in Portugal: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania and Sweden.

B. National citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries with legal residence in Portugal for more than 2 years: Cape Verde and Brazil.

C. National citizens of other foreign countries with legal residence in Portugal for more than 3 years: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Peru, United Kingdom, Uruguay and Venezuela (Declaration no. 105/2025/2, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, published in Diário da República, 2nd series, no. 93, of 15 May 2025).

The foreign voters referred to in the previous paragraph register with the census committee/parish council, corresponding to the residence indicated on the valid residence permit (art. 27, no. 5, of the Electoral Registration Law (ER Law)).

Note: Brazilian citizens holding the status of equal political rights, who have voluntarily obtained a citizen card, are automatically registered in the BDRE, in the electoral district corresponding to the address shown on the citizen card, being registered in the electoral register under conditions similar to those Portuguese citizens (articles 9, no. 5 and 27, no. 2, of the RE Law).

National citizens of European Union countries, with legal residence in Portugal, identify themselves with a valid identification card and provide proof of legal residence in Portugal through a valid residence permit – Certificate of Registration for Citizen of the European Union or Certificate of Permanent Residence for Citizens of the European Union (articles 9, no. 4, 27, no. 5 and 34, no. 2, of the ER Law).

National citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries (Cape Verde and Brazil) with legal residence in Portugal identify themselves and provide proof of residence with a valid residence permit (art. 9, no. 4, 27, no. 5 and 34, no. 2, of the ER Law).

National citizens of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Peru, United Kingdom, Uruguay and Venezuela, with legal residence in Portugal, identify themselves and provide proof of residence with a valid residence permit (art. 9. º, no. 4, 27.º, no. 5 and 34.º, no. 2, of the ER Law).

Yes. When registering, the census committee/parish council prints the voter form through SIGRE, so that the voter can confirm the information contained therein and sign it (article 38 of the ER Law).

The status of equal rights and duties is granted to Brazilian citizens who request it and have habitual residence in Portuguese territory, proven through a residence permit.

The equality status comprises two modalities: civil rights and civil and political rights.

Equality status in terms of civil rights can be granted immediately after the residence permit and depends on the beneficiary’s request.

The status of equality in terms of civil and political rights for Brazilians in Portugal will only be recognized for those who have been habitually resident for three years, also at the request of the beneficiary.

The recognition of political rights depends on the prior or simultaneous granting of equality status and allows citizens who benefit from them the full exercise of rights of a political nature, under the terms and with the limitations provided for in the Constitution and the law, under conditions of reciprocity between Portugal and Brazil.

Brazilians in Portugal, beneficiaries of equality status, can optionally obtain a Portuguese Citizen Card, mentioning the bearer's nationality and reference to the Porto Seguro Treaty.

This Citizen Card does not mention whether the statute only covers equal civil rights or whether it also includes civil and political rights.

Holding a Portuguese citizen card does not mean that a Brazilian citizen is automatically registered in the electoral register or that he or she has applied for civil and political rights status.

Nothing. The granting of equal political rights is communicated automatically and ex officio to the central administrative authority with responsibility for census matters, so that it can take legally appropriate steps.

Brazilian citizens who benefit from equal political rights can vote in all elections and referendums under the same conditions as Portuguese citizens.

The recognition of equality of political rights allows Brazilian citizens to fully exercise political rights, except access to the positions of President of the Republic, President of the Assembly of the Republic, Prime Minister and presidents of the supreme courts.

No. The acquisition of political rights via equality status in the State of residence (Portugal) implies the suspension of the exercise of the same rights in the State of nationality (Brazil).

No. The status of equal rights and duties and the recognition of the enjoyment of political rights are extinguished in the event of the expiration or cancellation of the residence permit in national territory. They are not extinguished, however, by initiative and mere act of will by the applicant after their grant.

The equality status is also extinguished when the beneficiary loses Brazilian nationality, as well as the enjoyment of political rights is extinguished or suspended in the event of deprivation of the same rights in Brazil resulting from a decision of the Brazilian State.

No. Holding equal status does not imply the gain or loss of respective nationalities. Portuguese citizens in Brazil and Brazilian citizens in Portugal, beneficiaries of the status of equal rights and duties, only enjoy the same rights (except those reserved by the Constitution for their nationals) and are subject to the same duties as nationals of these States under conditions of reciprocity.

Yes. Brazilian citizens (beneficiaries of the equality statute only in the form of civil rights or Brazilian citizens only with a residence permit and who do not benefit from the equality statute) can vote in local elections, not under the Treaty of Porto Seguro, but as a result of reciprocity principles, as long as they have been legally resident in Portugal for at least two years.

To vote in local elections, they must go to the census commission (Parish Council) corresponding to the address indicated on the residence permit to register in the Portuguese electoral register. It should be noted that, if voter registration update operations are suspended on the 60th day before each election, registration in the voter registration must be promoted by this date.

Note: in this case, the exercise of political rights in the State of nationality is not suspended.

Voting in Portugal is not mandatory, nor can failure to exercise it be subject to any sanction.

Foreign citizens residing in Portugal

ELECTORAL REGISTRATION

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