Updates to the Portugal´s Foreigners Law 2025

The Portuguese Parliament approved the proposed amendments to the Foreigners Act, after reconsideration and discussion of the same. The legal framework establishes the rules for the entry, stay, exit, and removal of foreigners from the national territory. The proposals had previously been vetoed by the President and rejected by the Constitutional Court. Now, after minor adjustments, a new version of the bill has been approved again by the Parliament.

The vote in the Assembly of the Republic ended with 160 votes in favor of the Government’s proposals led by Luís Montenegro and 70 against. With this approval, the new version will now be sent to the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who may either promulgate the decree or submit it again to the Constitutional Court.

Understand what could change in 2025 for foreigners in Portugal.

🔗 Read also: What could change in the Portuguese Nationality Law in 2025.

What can change in the Foreigners Act in 2025?

The following are the main updates expected in the new Portugal Foreigners Law amendments:

Job-seeking visas

Entry into Portugal without an employment contract or job offer is no longer open to just any applicant. From now on, the job seeker visa in Portugal will be reserved only for highly qualified individuals. The specialized technical skills will be defined shortly by Ministerial Order.

Family reunification

The right to family reunification will have stricter rules. These are the new requirements:

• 2 years of Residence Permit of the holder: provided they cohabit or are financially dependent (before or after entering Portugal).
• 1 year of Residence Permit for spouse or de facto partner, provided they have cohabited for at least 1 year immediately before moving to Portugal.
• Exceptions (no minimum Residence Permit required):
  • dependent minor or incapacitated children;
  • spouse or de facto partner who is the parent of minor children;
  • family members of highly qualified workers / ARI / Blue Card holders.

Additional requirements for reunification:

• Marriage or de facto union must be valid and legally recognized in Portugal;
• Minimum age of 18 years for both applicant and spouse/partner at the time of application.

Material conditions for reunification:

The applicant must prove they have adequate housing considered normal for a comparable family in the same region of the country. This aims to prevent reunification of immigrants living in shared or precarious housing.

• Owned or rented property that meets safety and health standards;
• Sufficient means of subsistence for all family members, without resorting to social support.

Mandatory integration measures:

In addition, the applicant must comply with integration measures, now clearly defined by law:

• Portuguese language training;
• Training on constitutional principles and values;
• Attendance of compulsory education (for minors).

Failure to comply with these conditions may result in the non-renewal of the residence permit and refusal of reunification.

NOTE: The rules for Family Accompaniment of EU citizens remain unchanged! The above requirements apply only to relatives of non-EU nationals.

New type of direct Residence Permit in Portugal

The granting of residence permits issued directly in Portugal is limited to those developing an entrepreneurial project, including the creation of an innovative-based company integrated into a certified incubator.

Entry of CPLP citizens

It will no longer be possible to apply for a residence permit in Portugal from tourist visas or under visa exemption. The CPLP Residence Permit (AR CPLP) will only be granted to those who already hold a valid residence visa and may then apply for a residence permit through AIMA.

Control of irregular stay

Foreigners who have entered or remained illegally in Portugal may be denied a residence or temporary stay visa, with entry banned for up to 5 years.

Entry bans of up to 7 years may be imposed in cases involving a serious threat to public order, public security, or national security.

National Unit for Foreigners and Borders (UNEF)

In addition to the above proposed changes, a specialized unit within the PSP for border control, UNEF, has already been approved and is in force (Law No. 55-C/2025, of July 22). The immigration police in Portugal, as it is called, is already operating and has the mission to monitor foreigners living in the country, verify documents, prevent irregular stays, and even deport immigrants who do not comply with the law.

What has changed compared to the previous text rejected by the president?

As reported by Jornal Público, SIC, and Rádio Renascença, the main change in this new version of the Immigration Law is the retreat of the Chega party regarding the requirement that immigrants must have five years of social security contributions before gaining access to social benefits. Instead, a more general wording was accepted, without establishing that specific timeframe.

The final agreement was reached between PSD and Chega after three days of negotiations, with the promise that a specific law regulating immigrants’ access to social benefits will be drafted in the future.

When does the New Immigration Act come into effect?

The proposal will now be submitted for review and approval by the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. It will only come into effect after his approval and official publication.

Atlantic Bridge remains attentive to the news to provide updated information to its clients and partners.