Trainee in Portugal

Conditions

To be a trainee in Portugal, you must obtain a residence visa and a residence permit.

You must be admitted to a traineeship.

Procedures

Where to apply

Residence visa

You may apply for a residence visa at the embassy or consulate in the country of origin or residence.

A residence visa does not automatically grant you a right of residence but allows you to enter Portugal for the purpose of applying for a residence permit, if the requirements are met.

To obtain the visa you must:

• have a travel document, the validity of which covers the foreseen extension of the stay;
• if you are underage – authorisation from who has parental responsibility;
• have been accepted as an unremunerated trainee in a company or in an officially recognised vocational training establishment.

Documents required

In general, you must prove that you have sufficient means of subsistence, travel insurance and a return ticket.

Refusal of visa

The residence visa will be refused if you have been the subject of an order to leave Portugal and are applying while the prohibition period is still running or if you are listed in the Schengen Information System or in the SEF's Integrated Information System.

Duration of validity of permits

The residence visa allows you to stay in Portugal for four months so that you can submit an application for a residence permit at the SEF.

Where to apply

Temporary residence permit

A temporary residence permit is an official document issued by the SEF that allows you to live in Portugal for a specific period of time. You must submit the application to the SEF.

Documents required

Unremunerated trainee

As an unremunerated trainee, you must have a residence visa and be covered by the national health service or have a health insurance. You must present a traineeship agreement with a company or with an approved vocational training institution duly certified by the Institute for Employment and Professional Training (IEFP).

Refusal

The residence permit will be refused if you have been the subject of an order to leave and you are applying while the period of prohibition to enter is still running or if you are listed in the Schengen Information System or in the SEF's Integrated Information System. It may be refused for reasons related to public order, public security or public health.

Validity of duration of permits

The residence visa allows you to stay in Portugal for four months so that you can submit an application for a residence permit at the SEF.

As a general rule, a temporary residence permit is valid for one year, renewable for successive periods of two years.

For 2020 and 2021, by a provisional measure, a temporary residence permit is valid for two years, renewable for successive periods of three years.

Appeals

If your application for a residence permit is refused, you may challenge the decision before the administrative court. You will be notified of the refusal decision as well as the reasons for the decision, the right to appeal and the deadline for making an appeal.

The residence visa is cancelled if the application for a residence permit is refused.