Why Ukrainians choose Portugal

1.Why Ukrainians choose Portugal

Portugal has been and remains one of the most popular countries for Ukrainians considering a new place to live and work. Given the events of recent years, there has been an increase in requests to move to Portugal. Some want to find refuge, others want to change their country of residence or obtain European residency with a view to obtaining Portuguese citizenship.

 

2. Obtaining legal status and temporary protection in Portugal

The most common and, unfortunately, the most sought-after way to obtain the right to reside in Portugal is currently to obtain temporary protection status for Ukrainians (proteção temporária).

Ukrainians, their spouses and close relatives, as well as persons who lived in Ukraine on the basis of a permanent or temporary residence permit, as well as long-term migration visas, are eligible to apply for protection.

The application process is pretty simple - you need to fill out a form on the website sefforukraine.sef.pt and wait for a decision. However, you should be prepared that it may take several weeks, sometimes months, to receive a decision. There may also be situations where members of the same family apply together but receive confirmation of protection several months apart.

Children under the age of 18 receive temporary protection status through a personal application submitted by their parents to AIMA, the Portuguese state authority responsible for integration, migration, and asylum.

Along with temporary protection status, Ukrainians receive a tax number (NIF), social security number (NISS), and patient number, which allows them to work, study, and use medical services.

For Ukrainians who are considering Portugal as their future place of residence, the question of how to obtain a regular residence permit in Portugal so as not to be dependent on the process of extending temporary protection status is often a matter of concern.

It is likely that Portugal will eventually introduce some kind of transitional mechanism for Ukrainians who have settled down and wish to continue living here. However, for those who wish to resolve this issue now, there are several options for obtaining a residence permit. The grounds for obtaining residence are the presence of a job, business, passive income, education, residence or citizenship of a spouse or parents.

In such cases, we recommend choosing a basis for a migration visa to Portugal that you will be able to easily maintain over the next few years — this will greatly simplify the process of renewing your residence.

For Ukrainians who have recently moved to Portugal, it may be attractive to obtain special tax status in Portugal – NHR 2.0 or IFICI. This status provides exemption from taxation in Portugal on certain income received abroad and taxation of income received in Portugal at a preferential rate of 20%. Unfortunately, according to the latest changes, the requirements for applicants have become much stricter, so we recommend that you consult with an experienced lawyer to see if you are eligible for IFICI status.

3. Life in Portugal for Ukrainians: housing, work, language, education, and healthcare

Renting

The most important thing to start with is finding accommodation in Portugal. Unfortunately, Ukrainian refugees are no longer provided with accommodation upon arrival (although there may be communities in the country that still offer accommodation). Therefore, most Ukrainian refugees start with friends, hotels, and Airbnb while looking for permanent accommodation.

Where to start? The rental market in Portugal is no different from other countries — people look for accommodation on specialized websites, Facebook, and, of course, through real estate agencies. However, in our opinion, the most effective way to find rental accommodation in Portugal is through friends and a trusted agent.

What to look out for: when hiring an agent, do not expect the landlord to pay their commission. If the landlord has their own agent, they will only pay them. Your agent's commission will be your responsibility.

Pay attention to the order and amount of rental payments. This way, you will avoid unnecessary payments that are completely legal from a legal point of view, even if they do not comply with the general terms of payment.

It is common practice to require several months' advance payment when renting accommodation to foreigners. Such an advance payment usually covers 2-6 months' rent. A guarantor from among the local residents may also be required.

Carefully review the conditions under which the security deposit is not refundable. Take photos of the premises before moving in and when moving out to avoid the security deposit being withheld under false pretences. Before signing a lease agreement, we recommend that you consult a real estate lawyer in Portugal who is familiar with the legal nuances and will help you avoid financial losses and unnecessary stress in the future.

Familiarize yourself with the area where you plan to live. If you find that the area is too noisy or unsafe, you will not always be able to terminate the lease immediately without financial loss. Most leases require at least four months' notice if the lease is for one year, and if the lease is for a longer period, the notice period is longer.

If you plan to obtain a residence permit, the lease agreement must be long-term or at least include the right to automatic renewal.

The cost of housing varies significantly — it is usually more expensive in large cities and popular tourist areas. Therefore, be prepared to pay more if you want to live in Lisbon, Porto, or on the ocean coast. The price may also be influenced by the year of construction, the prestige of the area, the availability of schools, hospitals, transport links, and the popularity of the area. In general, we recommend aiming for a rental price of €600 per month, and €1,000 in Lisbon and Porto.

Job search

Finding a job for Ukrainians in Portugal may be limited by your level of Portuguese, your skills, and the demand for labor in your area.

However, there is always demand for skilled workers, so if you lack knowledge and language skills, you can find work in cleaning, agriculture, logistics, construction, elderly care, etc. Many Ukrainian craftswomen have found work in the beauty industry.

For a significant number of Ukrainians, online work has become a way out, including for companies from Ukraine.

If you have a higher education and are determined to find a job in your field, keep in mind that some diplomas require verification. This mainly applies to medical and pharmaceutical workers, educators, engineers, etc.

Salary levels in Portugal

The minimum wage in Portugal for 2025 is €879, but salaries usually start at €900-1000. It is also worth remembering that in addition to the regular salary, each employee is also entitled to a separate Christmas and vacation bonus. Most employers, especially those with a large staff, divide these payments into 12 parts and pay them together with the regular salary.

Income tax and social security contributions are deducted from your salary. Part of the social security contributions is paid by the employer, but the rest of the contributions and income tax will be deducted from your salary. Therefore, we advise you to take this into account when discussing your future salary - whether it is before deductions, whether it is the net amount you will receive, and whether it includes additional payments for holidays or not.

For those who are freelancers or have their own business

A popular solution for those who are tired of looking for a job or work remotely is to register as self-employed (ENI - Empresário em Nome Individual), which is similar to a Ukrainian sole proprietorship. This allows you to do the work you know and are good at for local or foreign customers, and thus obtain a source of income and a basis for further residence. During the first year of activity, ENI enjoys tax benefits and does not pay social contributions, but then a progressive tax scale applies, so we recommend that you think everything through and weigh up your options before starting your business to ensure that your decision is fully informed. We recommend that you seek advice from certified accountants in Portugal or choose accounting services in Portugal to avoid penalties at the beginning and during the course of your business activities.

Learning Portuguese

If you plan to work with local employers or consumers, the requirements for your Portuguese language skills will increase significantly, so we recommend taking advantage of the opportunity to learn Portuguese for free, which is provided to Ukrainians by IEFP (Vocational Training Centers).

Children's educational institutions in Portugal

Most educational institutions for children are also free if you choose a public school. Another popular option for Ukrainian children is to attend international schools, which require certain fees (these may vary, so we recommend that you check the conditions of each school separately).Healthcare system in Portugal

The public healthcare system is also free, although many people prefer private insurance to ensure timely medical care (the average cost of insurance is €30-80 per month). However, if you do not plan to visit a doctor regularly, the local Health Center will probably suit you. There you can receive basic medical care or a referral to a specialist. However, the waiting time for an appointment can sometimes be several weeks or even months. All Ukrainians are given a patient number along with their temporary protection status.

4. Social adaptation of Ukrainians in Portugal 

As we mentioned earlier, knowledge of Portuguese is essential for finding work in Portugal if you are targeting local employers and Portuguese clients.

In large cities and resort areas, it will be quite easy to find someone who speaks English. There is a good chance that you will also come across a Ukrainian-speaking person, especially in the service sector.

Knowing or even studying Portuguese greatly facilitates integration into Portuguese society. The Portuguese are quite friendly towards foreigners, but they expect reciprocity: respect for local culture and customs, for the law, an effort to learn the language and integrate into the community.

The easiest way to make friends among the locals is probably for parents of schoolchildren to participate in school events, children's parties, etc. However, there are also opportunities to work with locals in various volunteer projects, find like-minded people at sports training, dance classes, etc.

Do not reject offers of social adaptation for Ukrainians that may be available in your region.

For those who would like to maintain ties with their compatriots, there is good news: the Ukrainian diaspora in Portugal is one of the largest. The number of permanent or temporary residents from Ukraine reached 50,000 by 2022, and in recent years it has grown rapidly due to the influx of Ukrainians seeking refuge.

In large cities, you can find Ukrainian weekend schools, church communities, and charitable organizations. There are support groups on Facebook and Telegram.

Ukrainians organize and participate in charity events, rallies, and integration events.

Legal and migration support

In addition to language and integration difficulties, Ukrainians also often face organizational challenges. Very often, people need help with issues they never even thought about in Ukraine, as they literally have to start their lives from scratch in an unfamiliar socSupport from friends, relatives, or fellow countrymen who already have experience living in Portugal is very helpful, but what if you don't have this or your request is quite specific?

In such cases, we recommend seeking help from lawyers in Portugal, as a seemingly simple question can actually have serious consequences. A qualified lawyer will not only provide the necessary explanations, but also advise on how to avoid negative consequences, if possible, or at least mitigate them.

Law Firm “First Legal Portugal” has a large team of specialists who can answer any questions you may have and solve most of your problems. We will help you obtain documents in Ukraine, prepare a power of attorney in Portugal, notarize documents, translate and notarize documents, provide advice on any legal, migration, or tax issues. Our immigration lawyers in Portugal are the best. We will help you with the purchase of real estate and provide migration support.