Portugal has introduced Law No. 61/2025, published on 22 October 2025, which significantly revises the legal framework for the entry, stay, and exit of third-country nationals.
The new legislation reflects a shift toward stricter migration controls while maintaining a focus on attracting skilled professionals, supporting entrepreneurship, and improving administrative efficiency.
The amendments introduce notable changes across several key immigration categories.
Job-Seeker Visa
The job-seeker visa will now be available only to highly qualified professionals, removing access for non-qualified workers. Applicants with a history of illegal entry or stay in Portugal or elsewhere in the Schengen Area may face refusal for up to seven years. This change underscores Portugal’s commitment to attracting skilled talent while tightening migration compliance.
Entrepreneurial and Startup Routes
New provisions expand access to residence permits for innovative or entrepreneurial projects, even without a prior residence visa, provided all legal conditions are met. The reform supports Portugal’s strategy to strengthen its position as a European hub for startups and innovation.
CPLP Nationals
Nationals from Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP) can no longer enter as tourists and then apply for residence permits from within Portugal. They must now obtain a residence visa in their home country before travelling. This change aligns the CPLP regime with broader Schengen visa requirements and introduces more formal entry procedures.
Family Reunification
The law establishes a more structured and demanding family reunification process. Most applicants must now complete two years of residence before applying, though the period may be reduced to 15 months for spouses or partners who can prove 18 months of cohabitation prior to arrival.
Exceptions continue to apply for families with minor or disabled dependents and for highly qualified or investor permit holders. Applicants must also demonstrate adequate housing, sufficient financial means (excluding social benefits), and participation in integration measures such as Portuguese language and civic education.
Authorities now have up to nine months – previously 90 business days – to issue decisions on family reunification requests.
Changes to Regularisation Pathways
Portugal will end the “expression of interest” process, a long-standing route that allowed foreign nationals already living and working in the country to regularise their status without leaving.
This mechanism will close on 31 December 2025, with a 180-day transitional period allowing limited actions such as:
After this transition, new entrants will need to secure the appropriate visa before travelling, bringing national policy in line with Schengen-wide entry standards.
End of Automatic Extensions
The automatic renewal of visas and residence permits introduced during the pandemic has officially ended. Third-country nationals must now comply with the 90 days in any 180-day stay rule and ensure their visas and residence permits remain valid. This marks a return to regular immigration procedures and enforcement.
Entry and Exit System (EES)
The EU Entry and Exit System is scheduled to launch in Portugal on 12 October 2025, with full implementation by April 2026. It will replace manual passport stamping with biometric registration (fingerprints and facial recognition) for short-stay travellers entering or leaving the Schengen Area. The system will not apply to EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, residence permit holders, or long-stay visa holders, and is intended to enhance border security and travel compliance.
Legal Actions
To bring a legal action against the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), individuals must now prove that the agency’s actions or omissions seriously and directly affect their rights. Courts must also take into account AIMA’s workload, available resources, and principles of equal treatment, which may limit the scope of judicial intervention in administrative delays.
These amendments will have a broad impact on both individuals and employers managing immigration matters in Portugal.
Employers should review workforce mobility plans to anticipate potential delays and reassess compliance obligations under the new framework.
Our experienced Vialto Partners immigration team in Portugal can help you navigate these changes by:
For personalised guidance or assistance with applications under the new regime, please contact our team.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Ana Duarte
Partner
Cristina Reis
Senior Manager
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