Portugal Change in Immigration Law

Описание: Portugal: New Immigration Laws (2025–2026)

Portugal has significantly tightened its immigration system. The big theme is: less flexibility inside the country, more control before entry.

🔑 Biggest Changes
1. End of “Manifestation of Interest”

The old system that allowed people to enter as tourists, work, then legalize later is abolished.

You now must have a visa before entering Portugal if you want to live or work there.

2. Stricter Work & Job-Seeker Visas

The general job-seeker visa is gone.

It’s replaced by a highly-qualified job-seeker visa only (for skilled professionals).

Limited duration (around 4–6 months) and stricter eligibility.

Low-skilled or informal work routes are essentially closed.

3. Applications Must Be Made From Abroad

You cannot convert a tourist stay into residency anymore.

Even CPLP nationals (Brazil, Angola, etc.) must apply from their home country.

Entering Portugal first and “sorting it out later” no longer works.

4. Family Reunification Is Harder

Generally, you must have 2 years of legal residence before sponsoring family.

Some exceptions exist (especially for minor children), but rules are tighter overall.

More proof of income, housing, and stability is required.

5. Tougher Border & Enforcement Rules

Faster removal procedures for people without legal status.

More centralized border and immigration enforcement.

Less tolerance for overstays or undocumented work.

🇵🇹 Citizenship (Nationality) Law Changes

Portugal is also making citizenship harder to obtain.

Main Changes

Longer residence requirement:

Most applicants: 10 years

Portuguese-speaking countries: 7 years

Language and civic knowledge tests required.

Children born in Portugal only get citizenship if parents have legal residence for several years.

Sephardic Jewish citizenship route closed.

In rare serious crime cases, citizenship can be revoked after naturalization.

(Some of these rules are still debated, but the overall direction is stricter.)

🧭 What This Means in Practice
If you want to move to Portugal:

You must secure the correct visa first, outside Portugal.

Skilled workers, remote workers, retirees, and investors still have options — but paperwork matters more than ever.

If you’re already in Portugal:

People without legal status have far fewer regularization paths.

Deadlines and compliance are more strictly enforced.

If your goal is citizenship:

Expect a longer timeline and more requirements.