admin_mtl, Автор в MoveTo Сascais

From April 22 to May 31, 2025, registration for preschools and the first year of primary education is open in Portugal. Parents and guardians can submit applications online or in person — it is important not to miss the deadlines, especially if the child is entering the first grade in the new school year.

Who Needs to Register?

Mandatory registration is for children who turn 6 years old before September 15, 2025.
Conditional registration is possible for children who turn 6 years old after this date, if there are available spots in schools.
Preschool education (kindergarten) is not mandatory but is strongly recommended for children aged 3 and older.

How to Apply?

Parents can choose one of two application methods:

Online — through the official portal: Portal das Matrículas
In person — at educational institutions in the area of residence

When Will the Results Be Available?

The results of the placement will be published on July 1, 2025.

Registration Dates for Other Education Levels

Grade	Registration Dates
6th – 9th and 11th grades	June 16 – 27, 2025
2nd – 5th grades	July 1 – 11, 2025
10th and 12th grades	July 15 – 22, 2025

When is New Registration Required?

New registration is mandatory if:

The child is entering the education system for the first time (e.g., preschool or 1st grade)
The child is transferring to another school
There has been a change in legal guardianship
The child is moving to the next education level (e.g., 5th, 7th, 10th, or 12th grade)
The course or chosen subjects change

In other cases, registration is automatically renewed.

Required Documents and Information

Before submitting the application, prepare the following documents and information:

Child’s Information:

A color passport-sized photograph, with a plain background (only the face)
Identification document
Tax identification number (NIF), if assigned
SNS number (National Health Service)
Health insurance or subsystem details, if applicable
Social Security number (NISS), if receiving social assistance

Guardian’s Information:

Identification document
Tax identification number (NIF)
Address
Contact phone number and email
Date of birth and education level

You can find a complete list of requirements, documents, and answers to frequently asked questions on the official website:
DGEstE – FAQ about registration

What’s New in 2025?

The government has allocated an additional 5,000 places in private and cooperative schools to meet the increased demand — particularly in areas such as Lisbon, Sintra, and Seixal.
Priority in the allocation of places will be given to families in need.

Unsure About Choosing a School and Registering Your Child?

If you need help with document preparation, clarification of requirements, or assistance with the registration process, the Move to Cascais team is here to help. We assist families in adapting to Portugal’s education system and selecting the best private schools.

If you are planning to work, study, or apply for immigration in one of the EU countries, sooner or later you will encounter the requirement to provide a resume. More and more employers, universities, and immigration services in Europe are requesting a Europass CV. Let’s take a closer look at what this document is, how to create it, and why it is useful.

What is Europass CV?

Europass CV is a structured resume template developed by the European Union. It helps to consistently present professional experience, education, and skills. The goal is to simplify the evaluation of candidates for employers and educational institutions across EU countries.

You can create your resume online on the official platform: europa.eu/europass. The interface is available in 31 European languages. Once created, the resume can be downloaded, saved in your Europass library, shared with employers, through EURES or other job platforms, saved as drafts, and updated at any time.

How to Create a Resume on the Europass Platform

Create your Europass profile.
Start by filling out your Europass profile with information about your education, training, work experience, and skills.
Fill out the profile.
After the profile is complete, you can add and edit information at any time.
Create your resume.
Once the profile is ready, you can create an unlimited number of resumes with just a few clicks. Select the information you want to include, choose a design you like, and Europass will do the rest.
Europass will handle the rest.
The platform will automatically generate your resume in the selected format and design.

Additional Features of Europass

Europass is a platform provided by the European Union to assist people in planning their careers and education in Europe.
On the Europass platform, you can not only create a resume but also compose a cover letter — a brief text explaining why you are interested in a particular job or study program.

Additionally, the website offers:

Tools for assessing language and digital skills,
The ability to store documents and certificates in a digital profile,
Tips for employment and education,
Information on opportunities in various EU countries.

You can explore all the features of the platform on the official website: europa.eu/europass

AIMA has officially announced a change in the way it handles applications for the issuance and renewal of residence permits. The information was published in their official Facebook post.

Starting April 28, 2025, only fully completed application packages will be accepted. If even one required document is missing, the application will not be accepted, and the applicant will have to rebook and wait again.

Why the change?

In the past, thousands of applicants submitted incomplete files — missing documents and confirmations. This new procedure is intended to restore order and speed up the review process.

Is this a new law?

Not at this time. No new law has been officially adopted. This is rather an operational clarification aimed at addressing the disorganization caused by a large number of incomplete applications in recent years.

Applications will only be accepted if they include all mandatory documents as defined by the law — in particular, Law No. 23/2007 of July 4 and Regulatory Decree No. 1/2024 of January 17.

What documents are required?

The list depends on the purpose of stay (work, study, family, freelance), but these basic documents are mandatory for everyone:

Passport
NIF (tax number)
Proof of address
Proof of income or legal grounds for the application
SNS or private health insurance
Document confirming the purpose of stay (e.g., employment contract or enrollment letter)

What should you do?

Apply only with a complete set of documents. A properly prepared application from the start will save you months of waiting and the hassle of a second attempt.

If you need help — we’ll review everything in advance and help you get ready to apply.

Every spring, thousands of residents in Portugal receive a tax refund from the government — a return of overpaid income tax (IRS). However, in 2025, many people were surprised to find that the refund amounts are significantly smaller than in previous years, and some even received notices that they owe additional tax.

What happened?

In 2024, the Portuguese government reduced IRS withholding rates. As a result, people received more money in their paychecks throughout the year. But this also means that in spring 2025, the tax authority is refunding much less than before.

The Portuguese Public Finance Council (CFP) estimates that total refunds will decrease by approximately €1.167 billion. This is a one-time effect — it is not expected to happen again in 2026.

How to avoid mistakes and unpleasant surprises?

To ensure your tax return is accurate and to avoid penalties:

Visit the official tax portal — Portal das Finanças
Check your information carefully:
- Make sure all your income is reported correctly
- Ensure that deductions (children, rent, insurance, education, etc.) are included
Don’t rely solely on the automatic IRS submission — it may miss important personal details and deductions
If you need to pay additional tax, do so by August 31 to avoid fines
Keep a copy of your tax return — it may be required when applying for residency, a mortgage, or a rental contract

We explained in detail how and when to submit your IRS declaration for 2024 in our previous article.

The Easter holidays have just come to an end. With that in mind, we’d like to remind you about the public holidays and official days off in Portugal, which are important to consider when planning travel, handling documentation, or organizing work schedules.

Portugal has 13 official public holidays. If a holiday falls on a weekend, there will be no extra day off.

Official Public Holidays in Portugal in 2025:

1 January (Wednesday) — New Year’s Day (Ano Novo)
18 April (Friday) — Good Friday (Sexta-feira Santa)
20 April (Sunday) — Easter (Páscoa)
25 April (Friday) — Freedom Day (Dia da Liberdade)
1 May (Thursday) — Labour Day (Dia do Trabalhador)
10 June (Tuesday) — Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal)
19 June (Thursday) — Corpus Christi (Corpo de Deus)
15 August (Friday) — Assumption of Mary (Assunção de Nossa Senhora)
5 October (Sunday) — Republic Day (Implantação da República)
1 November (Saturday) — All Saints’ Day (Dia de Todos os Santos)
1 December (Monday) — Restoration of Independence (Restauração da Independência)
8 December (Monday) — Immaculate Conception (Imaculada Conceição)
25 December (Thursday) — Christmas (Natal)

Additional Notes:

4 March (Tuesday) — Carnival (Carnaval). This is not an official public holiday but may be granted as a day off at the employer’s discretion.

Regional Holidays in June:

June is a festive month in Portugal, with traditional celebrations dedicated to popular saints in different regions:

13 June (Friday) — Saint Anthony’s Day (Dia de Santo António) — celebrated in Lisbon and other regions.
24 June (Tuesday) — Saint John’s Day (Dia de São João) — widely celebrated in Porto and surrounding areas.
29 June (Sunday) — Saint Peter’s Day (Dia de São Pedro) — observed in Sintra, Évora, and other municipalities.

Other Celebrated Days (Not Official Holidays):

19 March (Wednesday) — Father’s Day (Dia do Pai)
4 May (Sunday) — Mother’s Day (Dia da Mãe)

Keep these dates in mind, especially if you need to visit public offices or plan holidays during busy seasons.

This is important news for anyone living, working, or doing business in the European Union. According to a publication by Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, starting in 2027, Ukrainian electronic signatures, seals, and electronic identification tools will be automatically recognized in all EU countries. This decision is outlined in the updated Ukraine–EU Work Plan on Electronic Identification.

What does this mean in practice, if the plan is successfully implemented?

Ukrainian citizens will be able to legally sign documents, contracts, and agreements with European companies and government institutions from anywhere in the world — using the “Diia.Signature-EU” tool. This will also open new opportunities for migration, business registration, residency applications, and bank account openings, all without unnecessary bureaucracy or intermediaries.

Ukraine will become the first non-EU country whose digital identity is fully integrated into the European system on equal terms with EU member states. This will be made possible through the new EU regulation — eIDAS 2.0 — which governs electronic identification and trust services.

A phased recognition of certain types of Ukrainian e-signatures will begin as early as 2026. By 2027, full automatic integration is expected — all Ukrainian electronic identification tools and trust services will be recognized in the EU on equal terms with those of EU countries.

These changes open up a range of new opportunities. Strategic planning can begin now: registering a business in the EU, securing legal status, developing online products, and building a career on the international stage — all using Ukrainian documents and digital identity.

Starting April 1, 2025, the tax return form filing period for the 2024 fiscal year has officially begun in Portugal. This process is mandatory for most taxpayers, and it’s important to understand who must file and the applicable deadlines.

Filing deadlines

Tax returns for 2024 must be submitted between April 1 and June 30, 2025. Missing the deadline may result in fines ranging from €200 to €2,500.

Who must file a tax return

You are required to file a tax return if:

You were a tax resident in Portugal in 2024 — meaning you lived in the country for more than 183 days or had a permanent address, even if your income came from abroad.
You received income from Portugal, even if you were not a resident in 2024.
You were employed, self-employed, freelancing, renting out property, or had any similar source of income.

How to file the return

The tax return is submitted online via the official Finanças portal.

To file, you will need:

Your Portuguese tax number (NIF)
A registered account (username and password)

If you haven’t registered on the Finanças portal yet, it’s recommended to do so as soon as possible. You’ll need a valid NIF to create the account.

Why it’s important

Filing your tax return on time allows you to:

Avoid fines for late submission
Receive a tax refund if excess tax was withheld during the year
Claim deductions for education, healthcare, rent, and eligible purchases — potentially saving you hundreds of euros

What happens after filing

Once your return is submitted:

If you owe tax, it must be paid by August 31
If you are due a refund, the amount will be transferred to your bank account within a few weeks

Automatic tax return

If you have a simple financial situation — for example, you are a company employee and your employer withheld taxes for you, or a pensioner — the tax authority may generate an automatic return. However, it’s still recommended to review it manually before submission to avoid mistakes.

Need help?

If you’re unsure how to complete your tax return form or afraid of making a mistake, it’s worth seeking professional assistance. Our team provides tax consultations and accounting services and will be happy to help you file your return correctly and on time, as well as answer any related questions.

The European Union has once again delayed the launch of the ETIAS pre-travel authorisation system. It is now expected to be implemented no earlier than late 2026, with full operation likely starting in 2027.

The main reason for the delay is the postponed implementation of another crucial system:
EES (Entry/Exit System) — a digital database that will monitor border crossings of third-country nationals entering or leaving the EU.
Its launch is currently scheduled for October 2025.

While we wait, let’s break down what ETIAS and EES are all about.

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is an online pre-travel authorisation for citizens of countries that currently enjoy visa-free access to the EU.

Who will need to apply for ETIAS?

Citizens of third countries (e.g. Ukraine, USA, UK, Canada) entering the Schengen Area without a visa
Only for short stays: tourism, business trips, visiting friends/family (up to 90 days)
Planning to study, move, or work? You’ll need a visa or residence permit.

What if I have EU residency or a visa?

If you hold a residence permit or a national visa from a Schengen country —
ETIAS is not required.

How long is ETIAS valid?

Up to 3 years, or until your passport expires
You can enter and leave the EU unlimited times,
as long as you follow the 90/180-day rule

How to apply?

Online via the official website
Cost: €7
Free for those under 18 or over 70
In most cases, approval takes 10 minutes,
but it can take up to 30 days if further checks are needed

What is EES (Entry/Exit System)?

EES is a digital system that records the entry and exit of third-country nationals into the Schengen Area. It will replace passport stamps and allow automatic tracking of how long someone stays in the EU.

More info: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en

Why is EES being introduced?

To enhance security
To automate visa-free travel controls
To accurately track stays in the Schengen Area

Who does EES apply to?

Citizens of third countries entering the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 days
Does not apply to those with residence permits or long-term visas

What data will EES collect?

Biographical data (name, date of birth, nationality)
Biometric data (fingerprints, photo)
Entry and exit location/time

How will it affect travellers?

Overstaying will be instantly recorded
Biometric data will be mandatory at the border
No more passport stamps
Data stored for 3 years

On April 1, 2025, Portugal signed an agreement launching a new program called Via Verde — a simplified and faster mechanism for issuing work visas to foreign nationals. This new scheme promises faster processing times and transparent rules for large companies.

What’s changing?

Last year, Portugal shut down the Expression of Interest system, which had accumulated over 440,000 pending applications.
It is now being replaced by Via Verde — a “green corridor” for processing work visas for foreign workers, available only through large companies.

Key features of Via Verde:

• Visa issued within 20 working days after in-person submission at the consulate, but the employer should be previously approved
• Centralized application process designed to be faster and more efficient (in theory)

How will Via Verde work?

• The employer submits an application and sends a document package to DGACCP
• The documents are automatically forwarded to the consulate in the applicant’s country
• A date is set for submitting the visa application
• AIMA and UCFE conduct background checks
• If approved, the visa is issued directly at the consulate

Employer requirements:

To use Via Verde, the employer must:
• Sign an employment contract with the worker before submitting the visa application
• Provide preliminary training (in Portugal or abroad)
• Guarantee housing for the worker (specific criteria to be confirmed)

Who can participate:

• Companies that are part of business associations with 30+ members
or
• Companies with 150+ employees
• Companies with an annual turnover of €25–250 million
• Must have no outstanding tax debts and hold an active digital certificate (certificado digital ativo)

Who cannot apply under this new scheme:

• Small and medium-sized businesses
• Private individuals
• Migrants themselves — the employer must now initiate the process

When does the program start?

It is expected that applications can begin from April 15. We’re keeping an eye out for updates.

The time to register children for educational institutions in Portugal for the next academic year is approaching. Submitting your application on time ensures a place in your preferred kindergarten or school.

Key Registration Dates

The application process is divided into several stages:

April 22 – May 31, 2025 – Registration for kindergartens and 1st grade of primary school.
June 16 – June 27, 2025 – Enrollment for 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 11th grades.
July 1 – July 11, 2025 – Registration for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades.
July 15 – July 22, 2025 – Enrollment for 10th and 12th grades.

How to Register Your Child

Registration is done online through the official Portal das Matrículas.

Required Documents

To submit an application, you will need:

Child’s identification document: passport or birth certificate.
Parent or guardian’s identification document: passport or residence permit.
Proof of residence: rental contract or utility bill.
Academic records: for students transferring from another school.
Medical record with vaccinations: an updated list of the child’s vaccinations.

Important Information

Even if parents do not yet have a residence permit (residência), they can still apply for school enrollment and select up to five preferred schools in their area.

Useful Links

Official registration portal: Portal das Matrículas
Government information on the registration process: GOV.PT – School Enrollment

Need Help with Registration?

Move to Cascais is ready to assist you at every stage of the registration process. We offer consultations and support in preparing the necessary documents to ensure your child secures a place in the desired school.