Portugal's eligibility score would improve if the shorter residence period of five years for migrants from Portuguese-speaking countries applied to nationals from all third countries. The score would also rise if former students were able to count time spent studying in Portugal (just as refugees can currently count all time waiting for an asylum decision). Portugal would reach best practice on eligibility if migrants could leave Portugal for longer periods before applying. The conditions for migrants to get residence permits include proof of income, but not an integration or language test. Long-term residents are partially secure under laws that rank 17th. Permits must be renewed every five years and residents cannot leave Portugal for more than 30 months in three years. The rights that long-term residents enjoy come closest to best practice in Portugal, as in GR, MT, and NO (see box).
