On July 16, 2025, the Portuguese Parliament approved a new version of the Foreigners Law (Foreigners Law / Lei de Imigração) which introduces important changes to the regime for entry, stay, family reunification, and job seeker visas. Some measures were adjusted to respect Constitutional Court decisions, but the new framework brings stricter rules and reinforced criteria. Portugal.com+4lvpadvogados.com+4euronews+4
Below are the main points, who is affected, and how to prepare if you intend to reside or work in Portugal.
🧐 What are the main changes
Extinct regularization: expression of interest
The expression of interest mechanism (i.e., the possibility for undocumented immigrants or those with an irregular situation to regularize based on employment and contributions to Social Security) has been definitively eliminated. lvpadvogados.com+1
More restricted Job Seeker Visa
Now, this visa is reserved for highly qualified workers with specific technical skills. The more open version, which allowed seeking general work without these requirements, no longer exists under the new regime. anchorless.io+2Servulo+2
Prior residence required for family reunification
To request family reunification, a minimum period of legal residence in Portugal is now required. In general, two years of legal residence are now necessary for the resident to initiate the process of bringing family members. There are exceptions:
- Minor children or dependents with disabilities, where the residence period may not apply. anchorless.io+2euronews+2
- In cases of marriage or stable union already established before or meeting certain requirements, there may be shorter periods. anchorless.io+2euronews+2
Citizens of CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) countries
Some previous facilitations for citizens of CPLP countries have been altered:
- They can no longer enter as tourists or with visa exemption and then change their status within Portugal to work/study residence; they are required to obtain an appropriate visa at the consulate in their country of origin before traveling. Servulo+2anchorless.io+2
- More rigorous mandatory security checks. Servulo
Constitutional Court decision and adjustments
The initial version of the proposal was rejected by the Constitutional Court for considering that some provisions violated constitutional principles, namely the right to family reunion. The law was revised to address these concerns on some points. iaservices.pt+2euronews+2
⚠️ Who will be most affected / what to check
- Expats who intend to bring family members: They will have to assess the required legal residence time, as well as whether they fit into the exceptions (minor children, dependents with disabilities, stable union, or marriage with specific conditions).
- Professionals who depend on the job seeker visa to come to Portugal: If they do not have very specific qualifications, they may be excluded from the new regime.
- CPLP citizens: Changes in visa/pre-authorization rules, requirement for a prior consular visa, revisions in the scope of entry and residence.
- People who were in regularization processes or transitional regimes: Deadlines are defined for new applications and for pending cases. lvpadvogados.com
🔍 How to prepare if you want to reside or work in Portugal
Check your current visa or authorization and legal status
If you have a legal residence permit or are in the process, check if you can benefit from transitional regimes or deadlines before the new rules come into force. lvpadvogados.com+1
Documentation in order
Make sure all documents for visas, family reunification, or work are correct, meeting requirements such as an employment contract, recognized qualifications, proof of legal residence, etc.
If you are a CPLP citizen
Check the new requirements for consular visas before traveling, and if any facilitations or exceptions apply in your case.
Plan in advance
The new requirements mean that some processes that were relatively quick may now take longer, or have additional demands. It is worthwhile to start processes with more time.
Monitor presidential decisions or constitutional reviews
The law needs promulgation by the President of the Republic, and there is a possibility of it being vetoed or returned to Parliament if any constitutional flaw persists. anchorless.io+2iaservices.pt+2
✅ Conclusion
The reform of the Immigration Law approved by the Portuguese Parliament represents a significant change: stricter rules on family reunification, job seeker visas, and for CPLP citizens. If you are considering moving to Portugal or residing legally, it is advisable to be well aware of these changes, evaluate your profile, and prepare a strategy based on the new requirements.
Na FA Accounting, podemos ajudar a clarificar o seu caso específico: que visto se aplica, se pode candidatar-se agora ou se convém antecipar medidas, como o reagrupamento familiar ou mudança de visto, para evitar surpresas.
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