Published: 30.01.2026
Portugal abolished the route that allowed non-EU nationals to enter as tourists, find employment and later apply for residence; since December 31, 2025, applicants must obtain a residence visa before moving. Visa refusals of up to seven years may apply after illegal entry or overstaying, while a new skilled job-seeker visa has been introduced.
According to the sources, the main change is that legalization now has to be arranged before entry: people intending to work in Portugal must obtain the appropriate residence visa in advance rather than rely on an in-country application after entering as tourists. This makes document preparation and selecting the correct immigration route more important, while a separate pathway remains available through the new skilled job-seeker visa. The change primarily affects non-EU nationals, work migrants and people who previously considered entering as tourists and regularizing their status later. It is highly relevant to anyone planning a move because illegal entry or overstaying may affect visa applications for up to seven years.