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President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has approved the revised Foreigners’ Law, adjusted by the government with support from Chega after the Constitutional Court previously rejected it. Once published in the Diário da República, it will come into effect the following day.
The changes aim to limit the entry of immigrants and strengthen the operational capacity of the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA).
Key update: The popular work search visa—previously available to many—will now be restricted to highly qualified professionals. This measure targets a more specific list of professions and is expected to reduce the number of immigrants entering Portugal under this visa. Brazil remains the primary source of applicants for this category.

17/10/2025
Description The Authority for Migration and Border Services (AIMA) has issued an official clarification regarding the residence rights of foreign nationals in Portugal. According to AIMA, the right of residence remains valid for up to six months after the expiration date of the Residence Permit Card, as established in Article 63(14) of Regulatory Decree No. 84/2007. For non-EU citizens who have not yet applied for renewal, irregular status will only occur under specific conditions. For cards expired by June 30, 2025, the six-month period starts on October 15, 2025, which means the right of residence is maintained until April 15, 2026. For cards expired after June 30, 2025, the six-month period begins from the expiration date of the card. Foreign nationals who have already submitted a renewal application must carry both the expired card and the receipt confirming that the renewal request has been made. AIMA advises all foreign nationals to ensure their documents are in order to avoid any issues with their residence status in Portugal.goes here

15/10/2025
As of October 15, 2025, expired Residence Permits will no longer be considered valid if the holder has not yet initiated the renewal process. All foreign nationals who wish to renew their residence permits may now start the process, provided they meet the necessary requirements, and there is no need to visit AIMA offices in person. Upon registering a renewal request and paying the associated fees, a receipt is issued with a validity of 180 days. In July, AIMA and the Mission Structure launched digital portals through which expired residence permits can be renewed, and approximately 117,476 renewal processes have already been initiated. AIMA reiterates that automatic extensions and renewals by decree, without verification of requirements, have ended, marking the conclusion of a practice that began in 2020.

The Court decided that lease-to-own contracts will follow the prevailing type of contract, outweighing others.

Lease-to-own contracts are not specifically regulated by law, making them atypical and governed by general provisions in the Civil Code. The main agreement's execution depends solely on the beneficiary's intent.

In this contract, one party commits to the main agreement (e.g., purchase and sale), while the other has the option to opt for the transaction.

Determining if it's a single or multiple contract is based on interpreting the parties' intentions when they signed the contract.

Reference: Coimbra Court of Appeal's judgment on case 5468/20.6T8CBR.C1, dated June 13, 2023.