The 2021 Censuses are taking place until the 3rd of May throughout the national territory and aim to count and characterize the population residing in Portugal. Habitual residence is the one in which the person resides for more than 12 months, regardless of temporary absences for reasons such as:  leisure, vacation, visiting friends and family, professional activity, medical treatment or others.

The Portuguese population emigrated abroad (for more than a year or with the intention of staying abroad for a minimum period of one year) is not considered to be a resident in Portugal and therefore the dwellings that the emigrant population owns are considered residences for seasonal use or secondary residences. In these circumstances, the population does not have to respond to the Census.

If there is no recorded response in a dwelling, a Census Agent will go to the residence and through contact with neighbors, or another diligence will conclude that the person does not live there and therefore lives abroad. In such case, the agent himself will consider the dwelling as vacant or secondary.

Thus, there are no indications for emigrant citizens to have an obligation to participate in the 2021 Census.

In the case of rented emigrant dwellings, this obligation belongs to the tenant.

For more information:

https://portaldascomunidades.mne.gov.pt/pt/noticias-gerais/censos-2021-portugueses-residentes-no-estrangeiro

https://censos2021.ine.pt/

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