New Foreigners Law: Simplification, Integration and Opportunities in Portugal

New Foreigners Law: structural changes to immigration policies in Portugal

The new Foreigners Law, approved by the Assembly of the Republic July 16, 2025, represents a profound shift in the policies of immigration in Portugal. The legislative proposal, the final version of which will still be subject to presidential promulgation, introduces changes with transversal impacts on the lives of immigrants, particularly in the way they access legal residence and to Portuguese citizenship.

This is the most comprehensive reformulation of the legislation of foreigners in the last two decades. As reported by various sources, this immigration law It was approved with favorable votes from the PSD, Chega, and CDS-PP, despite warnings of unconstitutionality and criticism from civil society organizations. The Liberal Initiative abstained, and the left-wing parties voted against.

Among the main problems identified is the elimination of mechanisms previously considered to facilitate integration. The new version revokes, for example, the rule that allowed CPLP citizens to enter as tourists and regularize their status from within the country.

Other structural changes include:

• Creation of the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders (UNEF), associated with the PSP, with powers to monitor and expel irregular immigrants.
• Imposition of a minimum period of 2 years of legal residence for requests for family reunification.
• Increased residence time to apply Portuguese citizenship: from 5 to 10 years (7 years for Portuguese-speaking citizens).
• Greater demands for naturalization of children born in Portuguese territory: a minimum parental residence of 3 years is now required.

These measures reflect an intention to have greater control over migratory flows, seeking to reduce the bureaucracy, which may have a significant impact on the prospects for integration and insertion into the job market in Portugal.

Although the government points to the new Foreigners Law as an instrument of simplification of immigration processes, several entities warn of the opposite effect: the hardening of conditions could worsen phenomena of job insecurity and encourage practices of exploitation of immigrants.

The context also reveals another sensitive point: the reduction of legal entry channels could lead to an increase in informality and document vulnerability. immigrant rights and balanced access to residence permit thus become central elements for the legal and constitutional debate of this reform.

Impact of new rules on work visas and residence permits

Changes to Work Visas and Residence Permits in the New Law

The approval of the Foreigners Law by the Assembly of the Republic reflects profound changes in work visas and in the residence permits. One of the significant changes is the creation of a work search visa, allowing you to stay in Portugal until 240 days. This visa aims to facilitate the entry of workers from specific sectors who face a shortage of skilled labor in the country. However, they mainly benefit highly skilled workers.

On the other hand, the bureaucracy was reduced to simplify processes and speed up access to necessary documentation. The law introduces new types of residence permit with special focus on entrepreneurs and highly qualified professionalsThese measures aim to position Portugal as an attractive destination for international talent, encouraging innovation and investment.

However, the changes raise concerns. Limiting visas to specific groups could result in the unintended exclusion of professionals who, while not “highly qualified,” could make a significant contribution to the economy. labor market in Portugal.

The new legislation also seeks to ensure a balance between integrating new residents and protecting the rights of foreigners. Although there has been significant progress, it remains essential to promote an open dialogue on the immigrant rights in Portugal. Now, we move on to a detailed examination of the family reunification and how the new legislation affects this sensitive area.

Restriction on family reunification and review of immigrants' rights

New limitations on family reunification and legal implications for immigrants

The new Foreigners Law introduces a substantial change to the rules of family reunification, imposing a mandatory minimum period of 2 years of legal residence so that foreign citizens can reunite with their families in Portugal. This change directly affects the right to family life, enshrined in the Constitution and in international instruments ratified by the Portuguese State.

Until now, there was no fixed residency period for accessing this right. The new legal framework now restricts it, excluding only minors already present in the country. This measure raises serious questions regarding its proportionality and compatibility with the principle of integration of foreigners.

Primarily affecting CPLP nationals, this restriction can separate families for long periods and create conflicts with the principles of equal treatment. From a legal perspective, it may also be subject to challenges for possible violations of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

The solution involves implementing enhanced protection mechanisms for vulnerable individuals. In particular, the following are recommended:

• Creation of exceptional regimes in situations of dependency or social risk.
• Establishment of maximum deadlines for analyzing and responding to requests.
• Providing accessible legal information in multiple languages.

Practical consequences of the Foreigners Law and what to expect in the coming years

Legal impact and future of migration policy in Portugal

The changes introduced by the new Foreigners Law represent a clear reversal in the approach to immigration in Portugal. Instead of promoting accessible channels to legal residence, several provisions make requirements more difficult and restrict mechanisms that were previously fundamental for the integration of foreigners.

One of the biggest practical consequences is the obligation to submit the application for residence permit from the country of origin. This measure nullifies the previous regime, especially applied to CPLP citizens, which allowed them to enter without visa and regularize their status on Portuguese soil. With the revocation of this possibility, hundreds of thousands of immigrants may face rejections or irregularities.

Furthermore, the extension of the term of legal residence for access to Portuguese citizenship and the limitation of work visas the highly skilled workers create additional barriers to international mobility. These changes could worsen contexts of job insecurity, by leading many immigrants to accept informal ties, without access to public services or labor rights.

In this new scenario, legal advice becomes essential. Proper analysis of the type of visa applicable, the definition of the best way to obtain documentation and controlling legal deadlines are critical tasks.

Beyond Legal can assist in, through its multidisciplinary team, provides:

• Personalized legal strategies for staying in the national territory and residence permit.
• Continuous information on regimes immigration and legislative reforms.
• Specialized support in processes family reunification and tax planning.

In a context of regulatory instability, ensuring compliance and adequate planning is more than an option: it is a fundamental legal necessity.