Migrants: Raising a family in Portugal

If you would like to attend a Portuguese language course for foreigners, the High Commission for Migrations (ACM) provides information on Portuguese as a Host Language (PLA) courses.

These certified courses are promoted by the public educational establishments, through the Directorate-General for School Establishments (DGEstE), by the network of centres of direct and participated management of the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), and by the network of Qualifica (Qualify) Centers.

To find out which schools, vocational training centres or Qualifica Centres are closest to your area of residence or work, you can contact the Migrant Helpline (808 257 257 / 21 810 61 91) or the ACM's Portuguese Language Learning Promotion Office (GLPt), through the e-mail glpt@acm.gov.pt.

The ACM also supports projects for learning the Portuguese language through non-formal education, namely initiation actions in Portuguese and literacy actions.

Pedagogical and e-learning platforms are also available -  Portuguese Online Platform and Pedagogical Resources Platform - as well as training booklets and guides for teaching Portuguese as a host language.

See all the information on the ACM Portal.

The arrival of a child sets the beginning of a new phase of the parents’ life, which implies new rights and duties. In Portugal, there are several supports to help parents in this new stage.

In the Having a Child Guide you will find detailed information on:

• Accompaniment in pregnancy
• Birth Registry, Citizen Card and Passport
• Health of children and young people
• Parental leave in Portugal
• Parental leave and absence from work
• Education of children and young people
• Financial support and tax deductions
• Adoption of children and young people in Portugal
• Separation or divorce: effects on children
• Gender equality and domestic violence in Portugal.

When a migrant family comes to live in Portugal, there are various supports and allowances that they can resort to, should they need them.

The Family Support Guide brings together information about the various services available under:

• assistance during the pregnancy (allowances and benefits)
• support for children and adolescents
• family allowance
• social support for children and adolescents in danger
• parenting support
• disabled people
• informal caregiver
• support in case of dependency
• social support for the elderly
• support in case of disability
• support in case of disease or death
• support in the case of economic hardship.

If you intend to get married in Portugal or live in a non-marital relationship, it is necessary to know information about the types of marriage, property scheme and the costs of the marriage process, as well as the advantages and conditions of the recognition of the non-marital relationship.

See the Marry or live in a non-marital relationship Guide to obtain information on:

• who can get married
• the types of marriage
• the matrimonial property scheme
• the cost of the marriage
• end of marriage
• advantages of the recognition of the non-marital relationship
• the non-marital relationship must be proven
• end of the non-marital relationship.

In Portugal it is possible to file for divorce with or without agreement between the couple. In case the divorce request is made in court, it implies the division of the shared assets and property.

See the Divorce or Separation Guide for information on:

• what to do before divorce
• divorce by mutual consent (at the registry and court, divorce costs, division of assets)
• divorce without consent (how it works, divorce costs, division of assets, alimony, minor children)
• separation of people and assets (in the registry office and in court).

In Portugal it is possible to change the first name and gender that appear on the birth registry.

Find out the conditions and how to change your gender and first name in the civil registry.