Portugal Residence Permits: Who Can File and When a Lawyer Is Required

Who may submit a residence application?

Decreto Regulamentar n.º 84/2007, art. 51(3), lists who presents an application to grant or renew a residence authorisation:

• The person concerned.
• The legal representative of a minor or of a person of full age under a court-ordered support regime (maior acompanhado).
• The employer, for an application based on subordinate professional activity, company relocation or an intra-company transfer.
• A research centre, higher-education institution or other public or private entity, including a company, that hosts teaching, highly qualified or cultural activity, for an application to carry out that activity.
• An education or vocational-training establishment or other public or private entity, for an application based on study, research, an internship or volunteering.
• A resident of Portugal who wishes to use the right to family reunification, or a family member who entered Portugal legally and depends on or lives with the holder of a valid residence permit.

Article 51(5) adds that lawyers, trainee lawyers and solicitadores may also submit an application, outside the exercise of a court mandate, under art. 3(5) of the AIMA organic law (Decreto-Lei n.º 41/2023). Under art. 51(6), a lawyer, trainee lawyer or solicitador who submits an application under that protocol attests that the elements accompanying it are true, within the competences those professionals hold under Decreto-Lei n.º 76-A/2006.

None of the cases in art. 51(3) and (5) reserves submission to a lawyer or solicitador. Paragraph 3(a) lets the person concerned submit the application, and paragraph 5 uses the word “may” for lawyers, trainee lawyers and solicitadores.

Which residence route applies?

Work, study, family and investment residence routes have distinct legal conditions. The conditions depend on the applicant’s nationality, intended activity, resources, family and residence goal. Lei n.º 23/2007 is the consolidated foreigners law, and Lei n.º 61/2025 amended it.

How does the visa application work?

A visa application goes through the official Portuguese visa system at vistos.mne.gov.pt. The route decides which work, study, family or investment evidence the visa file contains. The residence filing with the competent Portuguese authority is a separate step from the visa application.

What does the AIMA residence procedure involve?

The AIMA residence procedure covers identification documents and a biometric step. The biometric step takes place in person and applies to some procedures. AIMA publishes the general residence requirements under Article 77(1) of Lei n.º 23/2007 on its website.

The applicant brings the original passport and the current-status records identified for the appointment. The supporting residence evidence is organized by applicant. The passport and current-status documents stay available throughout the case.

Which documents does the authority ask for?

The evidence depends on the route and the applicant, and the current official checklist for the route applies. The file contains identification records and the work, study, business, investment or family evidence required for the selected route. The AIMA Article 77 page in the official resources lists the general residence requirements.

How long does a residence case take?

No single period applies to every route or AIMA procedure. Timing differs with the route, the available documents, appointment requirements and the current AIMA procedure. The proposed move date, travel constraints, existing appointments and expiry dates on current documents affect how long the case takes. The decision periods and the options during a delay are set out in the AIMA delays guide.

How does family reunification work?

Family reunification requires the resident to hold a valid Portuguese residence permit for a minimum period. A qualifying spouse needs a shorter period, and exemptions apply in some cases. Civil-status records are grouped by family member before the family filing, together with evidence of the resident’s current authorization. The family-reunification guide sets out the periods and conditions.

How does residence permit renewal work?

Renewal depends on the actual authorization held and the current AIMA procedure. The permit issue and expiry details are compared with the renewal evidence, so the applicant gathers them early. The residence permit renewal guide sets out the timing and conditions.

AIMA offices by location

Residence permits and the AIMA procedure are national. Lisbon and Porto each have a dedicated guide, and the Cascais and Algarve points follow.

Lisbon

The AIMA in Lisbon guide covers residence permits, AIMA appointments and family reunification for a Lisbon address.

Porto

The AIMA in Porto guide covers residence permits, renewals and family reunification for a Porto address.

Cascais

A Cascais address uses the national AIMA procedure. The Câmara Municipal de Cascais 2026 editais page is the official local publication channel, and a specific local-registration or accommodation filing depends on the address and activity.

Algarve

The AIMA store list includes Faro. The correct AIMA channel and appointment location depend on the authorization requested.

Published by Advisors in Portugal Published: 18 Sept 2026 Last reviewed: 7 Oct 2026