On June 4, an amendment to the Legal Regime for the Entry, Stay, Exit and Removal of Foreigners from National Territory came into force, which revoked the residence permit procedures based on Manifestações de Interesse.

With this measure, foreigners wishing to obtain a residence permit to carry out subordinate or independent professional activity in Portugal will have to start the procedures at the consulates of their country of origin.

Below we clarify the main questions raised by this amendment:

1. What happens to the requests currently under analysis?
   Residence permit requests based on Manifestações de Interesse submitted before June 3, 2024, will not be affected by the legislative change, and will continue their normal course under the legislation in force at the time of submission.
2. What is the adequate procedure for a foreigner to apply for a residence permit to work or carry out an independent professional activity in Portugal?
   As of June 4, 2024, any foreign national wishing to work or exercise an independent professional activity in Portugal will have to initiate the permit application in their country of origin / country of legal residence, and it will no longer be possible to initiate such applications from Portugal.
   

By Sofia Ginestal Albuquerque and Tânia Alves Madureira

This note is only for information purposes and does not constitute an exhaustive analysis of all aspects of the legal regimes to which it refers. It is not a source of legal advice and should not be relied upon as a basis for any decision to be taken without qualified professional assistance. For further information, please contact us at ec@enescabral.com.