MADEIRA
Is it hard to become a Madeiran resident? If you pre-plan and follow all details, it's not hard. Be prepared, follow these steps and do your fact checking. This is a brief overview of three important stages for 2025. Beware of old guides and tips.
Stage 1: The Due Diligence Steps
Review the visa types (in this article we're using the popular D7).
Check the personal requirements and the expectations for that visa type.
Identify your regional Portuguese consulate (or VFS).
Immediately create your visa appointment, don't leave it until the end.
Download the official application and official checklist.
Stage 2: The Application and Documentation Stage
Consult YOUR downloaded official checklist and keep all documents in the same order of that list (no staples). Below are of some of the docs you may need during Stage 3 for 2025.
Continue to pester, email and call your console to narrow down a date for your visa meeting. From that date you can calculate the timings of bank statements, insurance, and items that have deadlines. It's the most important thing on this list.
Make sure your passport is good for at least another year. Get a notarized copy.
Find a local Madeiran friend or a US-friendly Portuguese bank that is willing to help you. Banks can get it all done - NIFs, health insurance and much more.
Get your NIF (similar to a Social Security Card)
Fund your Madeiran bank (you'll need that NIF) with one year's total minimum wage based on Madeira's wages.
Start looking for a year's rental or a property to buy to provide official Proof of accommodation in Portugal. If you have local family, you can fill out a notarized (in Portugal, by a lawyer) Letter of Invitation. We will list other options and tips for this in our complete guide.
Get Schengen travel insurance with medical benefits and COVID coverage when you have your dates assigned to you
Get an FBI criminal record certificate, apostilled (similar to notarized. It's a pretty simple task involving getting yourself fingerprinted and going online to the FBI's dedicated page. Note: they only last a short time, check the details.
Request a Portuguese criminal record check by the Foreigners and Borders Service (AIMA)
Two passport photos of you (EU size)
Personal statement declaring the reasons why you are seeking residency in Portugal
Proof of income, including passive rental or remote income (printed within xxx weeks before your meeting)
Fill out your downloaded or digital Application for a National Visa
Organize it all according the the checklist order, double check it all, make digital copies and hard copies for your records.
Then go to your console meeting and prepare to surrender your passport for up to a month or two.
If you the receive your passport in the mail, and it has the approved visa stamped in it, look at it closely. It has the date of your SEF appointment. Make sure it's not scheduled for after your visa expires (it happens, DM for receipts!)
Immediately try to reschedule the SEF appointment with your console's help, if needed. You'll be glad you did.
Stage 3: Congrats on Your Approval! Time for Another Interview.
In Stage 3 you'll get to know the Portuguese way of doing things, including setting your SEF approval! The SEF is extremely hard to reach by phone or even online. This is where your bank rep or local friend will really help out. The best advice is to come OVER prepared.
Don't miss your appointment! And triple-check your documents and throw in a few extras that we will tell you about.
Bring a local, if possible, or your banker. They can make anything happen. It is seriously the best advice we can give.
When you enter, identify your balcão (desk) and take a ticket number for ONLY that specific desk.
If you're lucky that day, and your documents aren't a mess, you'll be approved and soon receive your official two-year residency card and can move immediately to your dream home in Madeira!
