UK NATIONALS' EU RIGHTS AFTER BREXIT - Our view

6 November 2018
Until Brexit becomes fully effective - which will depend on a lot of yet unknown factors and, if not reversed, most probably subject to a relatively long "transition period" - an UK citizen keeps full rights as an EU citizen. Then, even if he ends up losing such rights, if at the time he is a resident of Portugal, he will in all probability keep full rights of residence in Portugal as though he were an EU citizen, and have, so to speak, a "quasi-EU" status, which has already been more or less guaranteed by the EU and the UK.

We cannot, of course, guess the future, but we feel confident that UK citizens who move to Portugal before March 31st 2019 - along with the many thousands of other Portugal-resident Brits - won't face any adverse consequences. It is therefore highly unlikely that, for example, he will be subject to any minimum stay requirements.
by Joana Loureiro Veríssimo • 2 October 2026
Discover how Portugal’s Golden Visa has changed, the investment routes still available in 2026, and the key legal considerations for international investors and families.
by António Pratas Nunes • 29 September 2026
Learn how Portugal's IFICI tax regime benefits startup founders and key hires with a 20% flat tax, R&D incentives, and foreign income exemptions.
by Soraia Pereira • 23 September 2026
Find out when you need to exchange a foreign driving licence in Portugal, including rules for EU/EEA, OECD, CPLP and other countries.
by Beatriz Sousa • 11 September 2026
Can asylum seekers be transferred to third countries? Explore the EU and ECHR legal limits, non-refoulement, safe third countries and judicial scrutiny.
by Javier Mateo • 4 September 2026
How civil status, filiation, foreign marriages, divorces and deaths can affect Portuguese nationality applications in cross-border families.
by Francisca Abrantes • 12 August 2026
Learn how Portuguese tax residence, Double Taxation Conventions and different income types can affect international individuals.
by Joana Loureiro Veríssimo • 7 August 2026
Working remotely does not automatically grant residence in Portugal. Understand the legal requirements and residence routes available to digital nomads.
by Jéssica Dos Nunes • 5 August 2026
Discover the legal options for recovering commercial debts in Portugal, including injunction procedures, enforcement actions and cross-border debt recovery.
by Danielle Avidago • 3 August 2026
Learn the legal routes to Portuguese nationality by descent for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren under Portugal's updated Nationality Law.
More posts