Applying for residency in Portugal involves several important steps, and one of the most essential is submitting a criminal background check. Whether you are applying for the D7 Visa, Digital Nomad (D8) Visa, Work Visa, or Portugal Golden Visa, authorities require proof that applicants have no serious criminal convictions.

This document is commonly referred to as a criminal record certificate, police clearance certificate, or background check. While the terminology may vary between countries, they all serve the same purpose: confirming that the applicant does not have a criminal history that would prevent them from receiving residency in Portugal.

Portugal Visa Background Check Requirements

When applying for a Portuguese residency visa, applicants must provide a criminal record certificate from their country of nationality, as well as from any country where they have lived for more than one year.

Portuguese authorities evaluate criminal records based on how offenses would be treated under Portuguese law. If a past conviction corresponds to a sentence of more than one year of imprisonment, the visa application may be refused.

Portugal Visa Background Check Overview

RequirementDetails
DocumentCriminal record certificate
Issued byCountry of nationality or residence
ValidityUsually about 90 days
Additional stepApostille/legalization required
TranslationMay need Portuguese translation

Visas That Require a Background Check

Most long-term residency visas in Portugal require a criminal record certificate, including:

Each applicant must provide their own criminal record certificate, and dependents above a certain age may also be required to submit one.

FBI Background Check for U.S. Citizens

Americans moving to Portugal must submit the FBI Identity History Summary, which serves as the official nationwide criminal record check for immigration purposes.

Portugal requires the FBI report rather than state-level checks because it provides a complete national criminal record.

Steps to obtain the FBI background check

  1. Submit fingerprints
    Provide fingerprints using the official FD-258 fingerprint card. This can be done electronically through an FBI-approved channeler or by mailing physical fingerprints.
  2. Apply through the FBI portal
    Complete the application online via the FBI Identity History Summary system and pay the processing fee.
  3. Receive the report
    Results are usually issued within 3–5 business days for electronic submissions.
  4. Obtain an apostille
    The document must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State before it can be used in Portugal.

If you have lived in another country for more than one year, you must also provide police certificates from those countries.

ACRO Police Certificate for UK Citizens

UK applicants relocating to Portugal must obtain an ACRO Police Certificate, which is the official document used for immigration and visa applications.

The Basic DBS check is not accepted for Portuguese visa applications.

Steps to obtain an ACRO certificate

  1. Apply online through the ACRO website
  2. Upload identification documents and a photo
  3. Select standard or fast-track processing
  4. Receive the certificate
  5. Legalize the document through an apostille

The apostille for UK documents is issued by the UK Legalisation Office.

Apostille and Legalization Requirements

Portugal is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, meaning foreign documents must be authenticated through an apostille before they can be used in immigration applications.

For criminal record certificates:

  • U.S. documents: Apostille issued by the U.S. Department of State

  • UK documents: Apostille issued by the UK Legalization Office

If you’re unsure about the process, you can learn more in our detailed guide on how to apostille documents for Portugal.

After legalization, documents may also need to be translated into Portuguese before submission. Portuguese authorities usually require certified translations for official immigration documents.

You can read our step-by-step guide on how to translate documents for Portugal visa applications to understand the requirements and accepted translation methods.

Validity of the Portugal Visa Background Check

Criminal record certificates used in Portuguese visa applications are generally valid for approximately 90 days.

Because of this short validity period, applicants should request the document close to the visa application date. Obtaining it too early may cause it to expire before authorities review the file.

Proper timing is essential to avoid delays during the visa process.

background check

What Happens If Fingerprints Are Rejected?

Fingerprint rejection is a relatively common issue when applying for FBI background checks.

Electronic fingerprint scans are typically faster but may produce lower-quality images, especially for individuals whose fingerprints are worn or difficult to capture.

If fingerprints are rejected:

  • try submitting fingerprints again
  • consider using physical fingerprint cards
  • visit a local police station or experienced fingerprint technician

Often, experienced technicians can capture clearer prints that meet FBI processing requirements.

Obtaining an FBI Background Check While in Portugal

Applicants living in Portugal can still request an FBI Identity History Summary directly through the FBI website.

Fingerprints can be taken:

  • at private fingerprinting services
  • at some police stations
  • through international fingerprint providers

After receiving the report, it must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. Many applicants use professional apostille services to handle this step without needing to travel to the United States.

The report must generally be no older than 90 days when submitted with the visa application.

What Our Clients Say

Tim Evans
Tim EvansUSA
We began working with Portugal Residency Advisors (PRA) in April 2024 to consider residency in Portugal. Pedro Branco and Beatriz Garcia provided critical incite and information in helping us decide how best to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa Program. The most wonderful thing was that their advice was completely independent and they were not trying to sell us any investment scheme that they would benefit PRA. They provided professional advice and let us decide what worked best for us. We completed the process in less than two months. I highly recommend that you talk with them regardless of who you have talked with already.
Phyllis Kynas
Phyllis KynasCanada
My experience with Portugal Residency Advisors has been exceptionally good. Pedro Branco (client manager) provided me with clearly set out details of their services and costs and timeline. Right from the start, Beatriz Garcia (immigration lawyer) has promptly set out clearly what steps I needed to take for my visa application. She was always helpful and supportive (when I was feeling stressed by the process) and guided me through it with patience and a quick response. Portugal Residency Advisors took me through a complicated and detailed process efficiently and clearly, and I am sure that it would have taken me much longer, and with much more stress, without them.
Lyssa Adkins
Lyssa AdkinsUSA
I recommend to Beatriz Garcia and Portugal Residency Advisors completely. They helped us with our immigration meetings scheduling and preparation. I am quite sure that without Beatriz we would still be waiting for our immigration appointment. The onboarding process and documents collection process was incredibly smooth and professional.
Chyntia Sutton
Chyntia SuttonUSA
The best team of immigration attorneys in Portugal! Pedro and Fernanda were so attentive to every single question, nothing was too small or too big to handle for them. They guided us through every stage to the point of arrival in Portugal. They continue to be available to us whenever we have questions. We highly recommend them and we will add their contact information on one of our podcast episode as well. Thank you for your excellent expertise!
Ann-Marie Giustibelli
Ann-Marie GiustibelliUSA
Beatriz and Pedro were professional, kind most importantly (to me) is they were effective. They promptly answered all of my questions; even after my case was finished. I would hire them again in a second!
Francis Miles
Francis MilesUK
Pedro helped us through the legal minefield when purchasing a property in Portugal, along with the residency aspects as well. He is always on call, professional and extremely patient, and we are happy to recommend him and his company.
Andrew Symons
Andrew SymonsUK
Portugal Residency Advisors provided an excellent service. They took control of the whole residence permit application process, explained to me what was going on, gathered and presented all the required documentation. I received my permit 20 days after the application.
Mehmet Kidman
Mehmet KidmanTurkey
They are a highly successful team that you can completely trust and always get support from throughout our residency application process. We were very pleased with their immediate support regarding our issues.
Alejandro Castellano
Alejandro CastellanoSpain
Thank you, Pedro, for making my experience of moving to Portugal so lovely!
Piero Colafranceschi
Piero ColafranceschiItaly
Perfect assistance all along the process!

How We Can Help You

Local Expertise

We know Portugal. Due to our extensive local knowledge, we believe that concentrating our services in a single country destination is the best way to give you the most thorough and useful information.

Honest Guidance

We recommend what’s best for you based on an extensive process experience that saves time and money to clients. Our pricing is clear and competitive, and we don’t sell services that make us more money.

All-in-One Solution

One single channel of communication for the entire process. We provide you with a comprehensive service that covers all aspects of your move, from identifying the ideal residency visa to finding your new home or helping you to settle.

Seamless Process

Technology plays a very important role in our company. We minimize our clients’ involvement in paperwork. We are customers ourselves and we know how to serve you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Most long-term visas require a criminal record certificate, including the D7 Visa, Digital Nomad Visa (D8), Work Visa, and Portugal Golden Visa. Applicants must show they do not have serious criminal convictions.

U.S. applicants must submit an FBI Identity History Summary, which is the official nationwide criminal record used for immigration purposes.

UK applicants must provide an ACRO Police Certificate. The Basic DBS check is not accepted for Portuguese visa applications.

Most Portuguese consulates require the criminal record certificate to be no older than 90 days when submitted with the visa application.

Yes. Applicants must provide a police clearance certificate from their country of nationality and from any country where they lived for more than one year.

Yes. Criminal record certificates must usually be apostilled or legalized before they can be used in Portugal.

In many cases, yes. Documents issued in foreign languages may need a certified Portuguese translation before being submitted to Portuguese authorities.

The Portugal visa background check is a mandatory requirement for most residency applications. Authorities require applicants to demonstrate that they do not have serious criminal convictions that could impact public security.

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