Portugal Implements Stricter Immigration Restrictions in 2025 Reform

Key Takeaways

• Portugal ends ‘expression of interest’ regularization, deadline December 31, 2025 for eligible applicants.
• Work and job-seeker visas restricted to highly qualified immigrants starting mid-2025.
• Residency for citizenship doubled to 10 years, 7 for Portuguese-speaking countries.

Portugal has introduced sweeping immigration restrictions in July 2025, marking a major shift in how the country manages entry, residence, and citizenship for foreign nationals. These changes, approved by the Portuguese Parliament, affect almost every aspect of the immigration process. This update explains what has changed, who is affected, what actions are required, and what these new rules mean for people with pending or future applications.

Summary of What Changed

The Portuguese Parliament passed a series of amendments to Law no. 23/2007, which is the main law governing the entry and stay of foreign nationals in Portugal. These changes are the strictest in decades and affect regularization pathways, work and job-seeker visas, family reunification, citizenship, and enforcement. Some measures are already in force, while others will take effect in the coming months. The government says these changes are necessary because the immigrant population has grown rapidly since 2017, but critics worry about fairness and possible constitutional issues.

Who Is Affected

• Undocumented migrants who hoped to regularize their status through work
• Prospective immigrants seeking work or job-seeker visas
• Brazilians and other nationals from Portuguese-speaking countries
• Families hoping to reunite in Portugal
• People applying for Portuguese citizenship
• Golden Visa holders and investors
• Employers who sponsor foreign workers
• Children born in Portugal to foreign parents

Effective Dates

• April 28, 2025: New rules for residence permit applications (complete documentation required at submission)
• June–July 2025: Most new immigration and nationality law changes take effect
• December 31, 2025: Deadline for transitional regularization applications under the old regime
• October 15, 2025: Expired residence permits automatically extended until this date

Key Policy Changes and Immediate Effects

1. End of “Expression of Interest” Regularization

Portugal’s popular “manifestação de interesse” pathway, which allowed undocumented migrants to become legal residents by showing proof of work and Social Security payments, is now abolished. This means:

• No new applications can be made under this pathway.
• Transitional period: Only people who were already registered with Social Security and working as of June 3, 2024, can still apply for residence permits under the old rules, but they must do so by December 31, 2025.
• After this date, the transitional regime ends, and no further applications will be accepted under the old system.

This change affects thousands of migrants who had hoped to regularize their status through employment. If you are eligible under the transitional rules, it is important to act quickly.

2. Stricter Work Visa and Job-Seeker Visa Rules

Portugal is now limiting work visas and job-seeker visas to highly qualified immigrants. The exact definition of “highly qualified” will be set by the government in a future ordinance, but it is expected to include people with advanced degrees or specialized skills.

• Work visas: Only highly qualified applicants will be considered. The government will publish a list of criteria soon.
• Job-seeker visas: Only highly skilled applicants can apply. If you do not find a job within 120 days, you must leave Portugal. You cannot reapply for a job-seeker visa for one year.
• Brazilians—who previously enjoyed easier access—must now meet the same requirements as other nationalities.

This means that most low-skilled workers will no longer be able to move to Portugal for work under these visas.

3. Family Reunification Restrictions

Family reunification is now much harder:

• You must have two years of legal residence in Portugal before you can apply to bring family members (except for minor children already living in Portugal).
• Applicants must show knowledge of Portuguese unless the entire family applies together at the start.
• These rules apply to all nationalities, including citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries.

Families will need to plan for longer separation and prepare for language requirements.

4. Longer Residency for Citizenship

The general residency requirement for Portuguese citizenship has increased from 5 years to 10 years. For citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries (such as Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique), the requirement is now 7 years.

• The residency period is now counted from the date you receive your first residence permit, not from the date you apply.
• This change affects all new applicants and those with pending applications who have not yet met the old residency requirement.

This means that people will have to wait much longer before they can apply for citizenship, making Portugal’s rules some of the strictest in Europe.

5. Stricter Citizenship Criteria

To become a Portuguese citizen, applicants must now:

• Show A2-level Portuguese language proficiency (basic user level)
• Prove knowledge of Portuguese culture, rights, and duties (details on how this will be tested are still pending)
• Have no criminal record for crimes punishable by imprisonment

For children born in Portugal, automatic citizenship is now only possible if at least one parent has three years of legal residence and makes a formal declaration at birth.

These changes mean that applicants must invest more time in learning the language and understanding Portuguese society.

6. End of Sephardic Jewish Ancestry Citizenship Route

Portugal has ended the special citizenship route for people with Sephardic Jewish ancestry. Only children and spouses of those who already received Portuguese nationality through this route may still apply as direct relatives.

This closes a pathway that had allowed thousands of people to claim Portuguese citizenship based on ancestry.

7. New Enforcement and Processing Measures

• A new police unit will be created to fight illegal immigration and carry out deportations.
• The immigration authority, AIMA, must decide on residence applications within 9 months. In complex cases, a single extension is allowed.
• Residence permit applications must be complete at the time of submission. Incomplete applications are automatically rejected.

This means applicants and employers must be very careful to gather all required documents before applying.

8. Extension of Expired Residence Permits

• Residence permits that were valid until June 30, 2025, are automatically extended to October 15, 2025.
• Renewal requests can be submitted through a new AIMA online platform.
• After paying the renewal fee, applicants receive a temporary six-month certificate.

This gives people extra time to renew their permits under the new system.

Required Actions for Affected Individuals

If you are affected by these changes, here are the steps you need to take:

For Residence Permit Applications

• Gather all required documents before you apply. Check the AIMA official website for the latest list of required documents.
• Submit a complete application to AIMA. Incomplete applications will be rejected without review.
• Wait for a decision within 9 months. If your case is complex, AIMA may extend the review period once.

For Transitional Regularization (Expression of Interest)

• If you were registered with Social Security and working as of June 3, 2024, apply for a residence permit by December 31, 2025.
• After this date, you will lose the chance to regularize your status under the old rules.

For Family Reunification

• Wait two years after getting legal residence before applying to bring family members (except for minor children).
• Prepare for a language test if required.
• Make sure you have all supporting documents before applying.

For Citizenship Applications

• Reside legally in Portugal for 10 years (or 7 years if you are from a Portuguese-speaking country).
• Pass a language test at the A2 level.
• Prepare for a civic knowledge test (details to be announced).
• Provide a clean criminal record.

For Golden Visa Holders

• Permanent residency after five years is still possible.
• The path to citizenship is now longer and more complex.
• Watch for further clarifications from the government about how these changes affect investors.

For Employers

• Ensure all documents are complete before submitting any application for a foreign worker.
• Incomplete applications will be rejected, so double-check everything before submission.

Implications for Pending Applications

If you have already applied for a residence permit, family reunification, or citizenship, your application may be affected by the new rules, especially if you have not yet met the old residency or documentation requirements. The government has not made all details clear, so it is important to check your status with AIMA or a qualified immigration lawyer.

Political and Legal Context

These changes were driven by Portugal’s centre-right government, with support from the far-right Chega party. The government argues that previous policies were too open and could not keep up with the rapid growth in the immigrant population. However, the Socialist opposition and many legal experts have raised concerns about whether some of these changes are constitutional, especially those that apply retroactively or make it easier to lose nationality.

The President of Portugal and leading constitutional scholars have warned that some parts of the new law may be challenged in the Constitutional Court. The government has already changed or withdrawn some proposals in response to these concerns, and more changes may come as the law is reviewed.

Future Outlook and Pending Changes

• Some amendments, especially those about loss of nationality and retroactive application, are still under review and could be changed or struck down by the courts.
• The government will soon publish more details about what counts as “highly qualified” for work visas and how the new rules will affect Golden Visa investors.
• Legal and industry experts recommend acting quickly if you are eligible under the transitional rules and seeking professional advice, as the legal situation is still changing.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

• AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo): Handles residence and visa applications. Visit the AIMA official website for up-to-date information and forms.
• Portuguese Parliament: The legislative body responsible for these changes. See Parliament’s website for legal texts.
• Ministry of Internal Administration: Oversees immigration enforcement and policy. Visit Ministry’s website for policy updates.

If you need personalized advice, contact a qualified immigration lawyer or reach out to AIMA directly.

Practical Guidance and Next Steps

• Check your eligibility under the transitional rules if you are undocumented and want to regularize your status.
• Prepare all documents before applying for any permit or visa.
• Monitor official government websites for updates on new ordinances and definitions, especially if you are a highly skilled worker or investor.
• Plan for longer waiting periods and stricter requirements for family reunification and citizenship.
• Act quickly if you are eligible under the old rules, as deadlines are strict and will not be extended.

Conclusion

Portugal’s new immigration restrictions represent a major change for anyone hoping to live, work, or become a citizen in the country. The Portuguese Parliament’s reforms make it much harder for undocumented migrants, low-skilled workers, and families to settle in Portugal, while raising the bar for citizenship and making enforcement stricter. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes are already having a big impact on migrants, employers, and families. If you are affected, it is important to stay informed, act quickly, and seek professional advice when needed. For the most current information and official forms, always refer to the AIMA official website.

By understanding these new rules and preparing carefully, you can avoid common mistakes and give yourself the best chance of success under Portugal’s new immigration system.

Learn Today

Expression of Interest → A former pathway allowing undocumented migrants to regularize status by proving work and social security contributions.
Work Visa → Permit allowing foreign nationals to legally work in Portugal under specific qualification criteria.
Family Reunification → Process allowing legal residents to bring family members to Portugal under certain residency and language rules.
Residency Requirement → The minimum legally required period one must live in Portugal before applying for citizenship.
Golden Visa → A residency-by-investment program granting residence permits to foreign investors meeting investment criteria.

This Article in a Nutshell

Portugal’s July 2025 immigration overhaul ends key regularization paths, restricts visas to highly skilled workers, and doubles residency for citizenship. Families face tougher reunification rules and language tests, while enforcement tightens. This major shift demands quick action from migrants, employers, and applicants to comply with new strict requirements and deadlines.
— By VisaVerge.com