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Presentation

Lusófona University welcomes all international faculty and researchers who choose our institution to develop their academic and scientific activity in Portugal. This page was created to support your integration, gathering practical and organized information about each stage of your experience with us. Our goal is to provide a clear and accessible guide that facilitates your adaptation, ensuring that you have access to all the resources and benefits of Universidade Lusófona and that your experience unfolds in the simplest and most enriching way possible.

Preparing for your stay

We recommend starting the organization of essential documents and accommodation as early as possible, as these processes may take some time.

  • Institucional Benefits

    All employees of Lusófona University receive institutional benefits on the following:

    Benefits on Health and Wellness

    Services Lisbon PBS - Health Benefits Plan Health plan with consultations, exams, and treatments at reduced prices at the São João de Deus Clinic and São José de Camarate Clinic.

    Lisbon Progresso Pharmacy - Discounts on over-the-counter medications and products, and free delivery to the Lusófona University of Lisbon Campus,

    call to order 217 602 226 email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Benefits on Sports

    Manz CES - Exercise and Wellness Club - 50% discount on registration and physical assessment, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 917385371.

    Benefits on Banks

    Benefits on bank products and credits.

    ● CGD 

    ● Novo Banco 

    ● Millenium BCP

    ● BVVA 

    Benefits on Education

    Lusófona Store -National Lusófona Store: 30% discount on publications from Lusófonas University Editions and 10% discount on other publications. 

    Lusófona University - Tuition Fee Reduction under the School Social Action Regulation

    Real Colégio de Portugal - 50% discount, Aulas de português nível básico.

    Home Benefits

    MEO  Discounts and benefits on MEO services. Identify yourself as a COFAC, SESC, or CTD (Ensino Lusófona) employee.

    PROVE Basket delivery on campus, Thursdays 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM. Baskets of vegetables and fruits weighing 9 to 11 kg - €10 (paid directly to the supplier).

    Travel Benefits

    Tazzi - 20% discount on trips, Coupon: ECOLUSOFONA. 

    Btravel Xperience , Travel Discounts.

     

  • Resident Visa and Resident Permit

    All faculty and researchers who are not nationals of an EU country and intend to work or carry out research in Portugal must obtain a visa. To come to Portugal as a researcher, you will need to obtain:

    1. A temporary stay visa if you will carry out research activities for less than one year, or
    2. A residence visa and a residence permit if you will carry out research activities for one year or more. You also need a work contract, a contract for providing services, or a scientific research grant from an accredited research institution. You must apply for a temporary stay visa or a residence visa for researcher activity at the embassy or consulate in your 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, Consult: Migration and Home Affairs

    Consulting the AIMA portal is essential for obtaining a residence visa and/or residence permit card for students, researchers, mobility programs, volunteering, and internships. The Acceptance Letter and/or contract must be attached to the documents requested by AIMA, when applying for a visa.

    Note: Lusófona University will provide, upon request, a Letter of Acceptance (by email and/or regular mail). Some consular services may additionally require the Employment Contract.

    Important:

    1. It is the applicants responsibility to collect and prepare all documents requested by the consular services.
    2. All costs associated with visa applications are the responsibility of the applicants.
    3. The evaluation of visa applications, their approval, and the issuance of visas are the sole responsibility of the consular services.
  • Tax Identification Number (NIF)

    The Tax Identification Number (NIF) is a unique number assigned to each taxpayer in Portugal for tax purposes, with the Tax and Customs Authority (AT).

    Note: Without a NIF, it is not possible to open a bank account, sign legal contracts, or receive income in Portugal.

    Citizen of another EU country

    If you are a citizen of another EU country to be considered a resident for tax purposes, you will need to produce a civil identity document or a passport or a certificate of registration as a European Union citizen, issued by the municipality of the area of residence. To be considered a non-resident for tax purposes, you will need to produce: a civil identity document or a passport.

    Citizen of a third country

    If you are a national of a third country to be considered a resident for tax purposes, you will need to produce: an identity document or a passport and residence permit. To be considered a non-resident for tax purposes, you will need to produce: an identity document or a passport, and you must appoint a tax representative (natural or legal person) resident in Portugal, who can be: A lawyer/accountant hired by the company. or a family member/friend residing in Portugal.

    In exceptional cases, the Universities / Lusófona Institutes of Education themselves (although acceptance by the Tax Authority is not guaranteed). For this, the employee must sign a power of attorney authorizing that person or entity to represent them before the Tax Authority. Note: the Taxpayer’s Card has been replaced by the Citizen’s Card (for nationals and Brazilian citizens covered under the ‘Porto Seguro’ Agreement).

  • Social Security Identification Number (NISS)

    The Social Security Identification Number (NISS) is mandatory for anyone working in Portugal. This is a unique number assigned to each person for registration and monitoring purposes with Social Security. Note: Without a NISS, it is not possible to register contributions or access Social Security benefits. It is required for employment contracts and for administrative procedures related to work and social protection. Applying for the NISS is free of charge. You can apply for the NISS by filling in the form available on the Social Security website. You must attach the valid civil identification documents to the form, as required.

  • Recognition of Academic Degrees

    In the case of academic degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions, under Decree-Law No. 66/2018 of 16 August, and in order to ensure the principle of equal treatment for candidates holding foreign and national academic degrees, it is mandatory to obtain recognition of the respective degrees and to convert the final grade to the Portuguese grading scale

    Recognition of foreign academic degrees and diplomas, as well as conversion of the final grade to the Portuguese grading scale, must be completed within the application submission period. Recognition of foreign academic degrees and diplomas, as well as grade conversion, can be requested at any public higher education institution or at the Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES, only in cases of automatic recognition). For more information, candidates should consult the DGES Portal.

  • Accommodation

    Lusófona University now offers accommodation at the Manuel da Maia University Residence, which is located at the intersection of Av. Manuel da Maia and Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques. This is a project by the Lisbon City Council made available to all Higher Education Institutions in the city of Lisbon. Check all information.

    Residência Universitária Manuel da Maia

    Additional economic housing options can be found on the following sites:

  • Employment Contract or Research Agreement

    In order to prepare the contract, the following information is required:

    • Full name
    • Address (including district, postcode, and town/city)
    • Tax identification number in the country of residence
    • Date of birth
    • Place of birth
    • Nationality
    • Copy of identity card
    • Work plan

    Note: The employment contract requires the employee to have a tax identification number (NIF) issued by the Tax Authority (AT), which is personal, unique, and permanent for life.

  • Access to Health Care

    A foreigner who is in Portugal and feels unwell or needs any type of health care has the right to be treated at a Health Centre or a Hospital (in case of emergency). Foreign researchers legally residing in Portugal have access, just like Portuguese citizens, to health care and medication assistance. To do this, they must obtain a SNS user card at a Health Centre, which is issued to foreign citizens holding a residence permit or work visa. If they are not contributing to Social Security, they will have to cover the cost of their treatments.

    The card can be obtained at the Health Centre in the area of residence or at a Citizen’s Shop (Loja do Cidadão).

    Foreign researchers must present, to the health services in their area of residence, proof of residence permit, work visa, or authorization to stay in the country. Important Contacts:

    • General Emergencies 112 - Single emergency number (free, 24/7). Call for: police, fire brigade, ambulance, rescue.
    • Poison Information Centre - Phone: 808 250 143. Available 24/7, providing advice in cases of poisoning or toxic exposure.
  • Transport

    Lisbon

    In Lisbon, there are 2 options for travel passes:

    1. Municipal travel pass: €30/month The municipal travel pass is valid for any journey on all regular public passenger transport companies within the geographical limits of one of the 18 municipalities that make up the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. It is valid for one month, i.e. from the first to the last day of the month for which it was purchased. Those who opt for the municipal travel pass can only travel within the municipality for which it was purchased. For example, if you purchased the Lisbon travel pass, you can travel within the geographical limits of the city of Lisbon using any transport operator.
    2. Metropolitan travel card: €40/month The metropolitan travel card allows you to use all public regular passenger transport services in all 18 municipalities in the Lisbon metropolitan area. It is valid for one month, from the first to the last day of the month for which it was purchased. Those who opt for the metropolitan pass can travel, for example, from Setúbal to Mafra, using any transport operator. https://www.metrolisboa.pt/en/buy/navegante-card GIRA BICICLES IN LISBON Lisbon residents with a Navegante pass can use the GIRA network free of charge. To access the service, users only need to have an account on the GIRA app and a Navegante card with an active monthly pass. Residents (with tax residence in Lisbon) aged between 24 and 64 can request free GIRA NAVEGANTE access at one of the EMEL service points (Loja do Cidadão das Laranjeiras, Loja do Cidadão do Saldanha or Loja CML do Campo Grande).

    Oporto

    In Oporto, there is the Andante Metropolitano, which allows the use of all public transport companies (metro, buses, and suburban trains) across all 17 municipalities of the Porto Metropolitan Area. The pass is valid monthly, from the first to the last day of the month for which it was purchased. Price: Andante Metropolitano – €40/month, 

End of Stay

  • Cancellations

    Before concluding your stay in Portugal, it is important to cancel all active commitments: the rental contract and household services (water, electricity, gas, internet, mobile/TV), transport passes (such as Navegante or Andante), health or other private insurance, bank accounts, gym or association memberships, as well as any school or daycare enrollments for children or social benefits.

  • Use a mail forwarding service

    Before leaving, researchers are encouraged to set up an out-of-office message on their institutional email account. This ensures that colleagues, partners, and students are informed about their absence, the duration of their unavailability, and, if necessary, alternative contacts who can provide support during that period. An out-of-office reply helps maintain clear communication and avoids delays in important matters.

  • Review your tax obligations

    IRS (Personal Income Tax)

    If you worked or received a fellowship in Portugal, you may be required to submit an IRS tax return, even after leaving the country.
    Note: There are specific rules for tax residents and non-residents.

    Withholding and proof of income. Check if tax was withheld at source on salaries or fellowships. Keep all receipts and supporting documents for future filings.

    Tax benefits or deductions. Verify if you are eligible for any deductions or refunds before leaving.

Useful Links

Portuguese Tax Authority Social Security Portugal SNS24  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal 

Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum Study and Research In Portugal - FCT European He_