In 2012, I was convicted of driving without a license and under the influence due to a one-time mistake. Will this deny me a Nomad Visa in Portugal? Do the criminal record requirements for Portugal vary from one visa type to another?
All residence visas for Portugal are subject to the analysis of the criminal antecedents of the applicant. The permit shall be denied if the applicant has been convicted of a crime that, in Portugal, is punishable with a prison sentence of more than one year, even if this has not been served or its execution has been suspended.
One can only apply for a residence permit in Portugal if, in their country of origin, they are not convicted of a crime which in Portugal’s legal framework would have a one-year minimum imprisonment sentence. If this criterion is not met, the application for a temporary residence permit will most likely be refused by the Portuguese authorities. DUI and without a license are crimes that, in Portugal’s current legal framework, are each punishable with an imprisonment sentence of up to 1 year. However, as the crime is already time-barred (5 year period), it shouldn’t jeopardize your application. However, we would advise you to check this information with your local authorities, consulate or embassy, and request for the removal of any criminal information from your record due to the possibility of your home country’s authorities communicating this fact. As such, if your criminal record has no registered convictions inscribed in it, it is likely that your application for a temporary residence permit in Portugal shouldn’t face any issues related to this matter.
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