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Arquivado: AmCham Webinar Series Everything You Need to Know to Live, Work, and Start a Business in Portugal

AmCham Webinar Series Everything You Need to Know to Live, Work, and Start a Business in Portugal

In Collaboration with: U.S. Embassy in Lisbon

American Citizen Services (ACS) & Federal Benefits Unit Informative Session

The 7th session of AmCham Portugal’s webinar series featured an informative session with the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, dedicated to American Citizen Services (ACS) and the Federal Benefits Unit. The session provided official and practical guidance for U.S. citizens living in Portugal, as well as those planning to relocate.
In the first part of the session the main consular services available to U.S. citizens abroad were addressed:
  • Enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service that allows U.S. citizens to receive security alerts and updates from the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate;
  • Passport renewal procedures, including required documentation: completed application form, 5cm x 5cm photo (white background, no glasses), current or most recent passport, and printed confirmation of payment via Pay.gov;
  • Notarial services and their limitations, clarifying that U.S. embassies and consulates cannot notarize or authenticate certain documents issued by U.S. state or county authorities;
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) procedures for U.S. citizen parents, including documentation requirements;
  • Voting from overseas and the ability of U.S. citizens residing abroad to participate in U.S. elections.
In the second part of the session, was addressed key aspects related to federal benefits:
  • How to create and manage a “my Social Security” account;
  • Filing for Social Security benefits or Medicare;
  • Reporting a death;
  • Applying for a Social Security number or requesting a replacement card.
The session provided clear and practical information directly from official sources, offering valuable guidance to the American community in Portugal and to those planning to live, work, or invest in the country.
Below, you may find the contact details of the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon for further information:
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