Overview

Portugal immigration and Law changes are significant for immigrants. In any international immigration system, the laws are essential. Many countries are strict about immigration, while others are more lenient.

Now there are many reasons to consider it. For instance, if the population in your country is low, you can adjust your immigration policies accordingly. In simple terms, you encourage international migration, allowing your country to attract skilled workers, maintain a stable population, and keep its economy stable.

Portugal Immigration and Law Changes over the years 

Portugal immigration is a truth or a myth from years . They always adopted a different methods to stabilize the economy of its country, like telling people to come here, work, and pay taxes, and in 5 years, we will give you nationality. Then people start moving to Portugal for work and nationality. Portugal started this on its own. 

Well, this is fine. People work and pay taxes, too. When you feel that your country is becoming stable, then make your new immigration policies strict. Sometimes unfair things also happen in this, like people who work for 4 years, their families are far away, pay more taxes, while their salaries are very low. Just for the sake of nationalism, they are bearing all the pain,

Suddenly, your government will make changes in Portugal immigration . What will happen to that person who has been working for four years? The government does make laws, but sometimes they are not fair enough for everyone.

Introduction to Portugal Immigration Law

The parliament of the Portugal government approved proposal no. 3/XVII1 on 16 July 2025, which will now make new changes in Portugal New Immigration Law 23/2007. This law has been made keeping immigration in mind, like the entry of immigrants and their stay here. This immigration will be done in a new way.

In which the regulation process was ended on the basis of the expression of interest. The pending cases have been given a one-year deadline. New restrictions have been imposed on family reunion, and along with this, the requirements for a job seeker visa will also change.

Portugal Immigration Major Changes List 

Many of the immigration rules and requirements have changed; these are

Portugal Immigration Law Changed in the Expression of Interest 

The first and main change in the law is that those people who had migrated to Portugal and applied for residence through expression of interest has now been abolished. This means that now you will not be able to move to Portugal and start work on your residence.

Deadline for Pending Cases

Those immigrants who were registered in social security and are now working in Portugal will also be able to apply for a residency permit, but this process will end after 31 December 2025.

New Requirements for Job Seeker Visa

Portugal Immigration changed the requirements of the Job seeker visa. Not everyone will be able to apply for a job seeker visa in Portugal. Only those people who are highly skilled and highly professional. 

If you are not able to secure a job within 120 days, you will have to leave Portugal. And after one year, you will be able to apply for a job seeker visa again. After one year, you cannot apply for a job seeker visa again.

Family reunion Visa

Portugal Immigration added the requirements for a family reunion visa have also been changed. The process will no longer be as simple and easy as before, but if a person wants to apply for a visa for their wife/ husband, he/she must have a legal residence for 2 years. This will not apply in one condition if your child is under 18 years of age and is in Portugal.

Portugal Immigration Sets Special Regime for Vulnerable Minors

Those minors who are small and who are under any institute protection will not be added to the general humanist category, but a new regime will be introduced for them, which will solve only their problems.

Fix the time limit for Residency Decisions after Portugal Immigration Changed

Unlike before, now there will not be any unknown period. A fixed period will be informed to you after you apply for residency. AIMA will now decide on the residence application within 9 months. Exceptional cases will be given more time.

Application of the New Portugal Immigration Law

Portugal New Immigration law will come into force from the next day of its publication in the Official Gazette and will apply to processes initiated after that date.