TÍTULO DE RESIDÊNCIA

On Thursday, February 20th, 2025, I finally received my Portuguese residence permit. It was pretty underwhelming to say the least. I had checked the post box (mail box) Wednesday night, saw that I had received a notice for registered mail sent by the Portuguese government, and went the next morning to collect my mail.

I conspired throughout the night trying to figure out what it could be for, what could be waiting for me. My long-awaited residence permit? A request for additional documents? A notification of expulsion or deportation orders? I got on the bus around 9 in the morning to find out.

After a short bus ride, I arrived at the post office to collect what had been sent for me. After handing my passport and notice to the clerk, he delivered me my mail. I fingered for the piece of plastic hidden within the folds; I felt it.

After exiting the facility, I opened the envelope; I was correct. I pulled out my residence permit, to zero surprise.

Sitting at the bus stop, I didn’t feel any different. I still needed to be at school since the time of the post office being open coincided with my class hours.

No, I didn’t feel any different. I reflected on this more during the day.

I came to the conclusion that if I were to receive a Portuguese passport, which I mostly will within the next seven years, I won’t feel any different. I will be proud of the accomplishment and be able to recognise it as a major milestone, just as I did on Thursday, but it will be just any other regular day (for me). It’s something I’m suspicious of.

Do I still want citizenship? Yes. But I’ve been thinking about what that means and entails. The only real thing to me is that, with Portuguese citizenship, I’d be able to receive consular protections, vote or run in national elections, and I’d be eligable to receive a Portuguese passport, which would allow me to travel to about three more countries visa-free than I currenly can.

That’s basically it. I could legally spend less time of the year in Portugal, or not have to be here at all. No one will be monitoring me to make sure I’m here, but other than that, I have no rights.

With the residence permit, I am now able to enrol in the public healthcare system and exchange my US driver’s license for a Portuguese one. I was able to do things months, and even years ago, such as enrol in higher education or open a bank account. I can also now spend more of my time in Schengen countries, if I desire.

So I am permitted to reside in Portugal. But now, it is not just about residing in Portugal; it’s about what I am residing in Portugal for, and that is to become an architect, gain skills, and build steading grounding in that career field. That’s why they accepted me, because I had an avenue to success. But beyond that, I still need to learn Portuguese to the highest degree that I can. Without that knowledge, the residency won’t make much sense to me; it will be superficial. It’s about engaging with the culture.

It’s not just about the education, the ability to travel, the “European experience”. It’s about settling down, having somewhere to live, perhaps call home, and it becomes a more permanent solution over the years.

So, I’ve planted my flag. We will see what that turns into. I know I am getting somewhere, but I have yet to see the full results.

And, above everything I’ve typed, in full, there is a mention to “add title”. I will titling this one, “TÍTULO DE RESIDÊNCIA”, for my pleasure.

Thank you 🇪🇺.