Parliament is scheduled to hold a final vote this Friday on amendments to the Foreigners Act that would permanently end the possibility of regularising residency status while inside the country. The proposed changes include removing the mechanism for tacit approval and restricting regularisation pathways previously available through vocational training or having a minor child. This vote marks the final session before the parliamentary recess.
Parliament to vote on ending residency regularisation
Friday, 17 July 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Foreigners Act (Lei de Estrangeiros) is the primary piece of legislation governing the entry, stay, and departure of non-EU citizens in Portugal. Recent amendments to this law have removed the ability for individuals to apply for residency while already inside the country, requiring most applicants to secure a visa through a Portuguese consulate in their home country before arriving.
