Brexit was scheduled for 29th March 2019, and then a few weeks later, and has now been delayed until 31st October 2019 (or possibly sooner in the unlikely event the UK parliament approves an exit deal). It's still unclear exactly what will happen after this - possible outcomes still range from leaving with no deal ("hard Brexit") all the way through to cancelling brexit and Britain remaining as a full member of the EU ("withdrawing Article 50 notification").
There are thought to be a significant number of British citizens resident in Portugal who have never registered with the authorities as required for EU citizens under Portuguese law. While many have slipped under the radar because they are not stamped in or out of the country, this will change after Brexit. UK citizens would be issued 90 day stamps, and would not be able to spend more than 90 days in any 180 day period in the country.
Portugal has indicated that even in the event of a "no deal" exit, it will continue to allow UK residents to remain on the same terms as now, providing they are resident before the UK leaves. It is therefore vital that UK citizens in Portugal register themselves with the authorities if they have not already done so in order to be able to prove their residency and to ensure they are able to remain legally in the event of "no deal" Brexit.
If there is no deal, UK citizens would no longer be able to register their residency under the EU citizen terms, and would face the kind of complex procedures that non-EU immigrants face. They would face deportation if found to be living undocumented in Portugal and may be banned from returning.
I can help British citizens get their documentation in order to prepare for Brexit.
I can take you through the process to obtain a NIF, bank account and residency certificate, in person.
Permanent Residence
For UK citizens who are already legally resident and have the required residency certificate, permanent residence is gained after the initial 5 year residency expires. Obtaining a permanent residence card makes it easy to prove this status in future beyond Brexit, and indications are that it will exempt the holder from any other special registration process for UK nationals in Portugal. Unlike the initial residence process, this is done through SEF (the Portuguese immigration department) and requires an appointment at a SEF office for the forms and evidence to be presented and for biometric information including fingerprints and facial scans to be taken. I can help make you an appointment and attend with you to walk you through the process. As a lawyer, I can also avoid the worst of the queues too.
Please contact me for further information.