Published: 25.09.2026
From 11 September 2026, higher-education students cannot legally enter Portugal without a visa and then request a residence permit from AIMA. The D4 residence visa must be obtained at a consulate before travel.
The source describes a shift from applying in Portugal after arrival to mandatory consular processing of the D4 visa before travel. For students, visa-free or short-stay entry can no longer substitute for the study visa when the goal is residence. Document preparation and consular processing therefore become essential parts of the relocation timeline. The rule matters to anyone planning studies in Portugal for more than one year.