Portugal: Transitional Residency Rights for Non-EU Nationals Clarified

On October 15, 2025, Portuguese authorities announced that expired residence permits would no longer be valid if the permit holder had not started the renewal process by the time of the expiration of the residence permit. Authorities have now announced that non-EU nationals whose residence permits expired on or before June 30, 2025 will now maintain their legal residence status until April 15, 2026, following the end of the previous automatic extension period on October 15, 2025. Residence permits that expired after June 30, 2025 benefit from the standard six-month grace period calculated from their individual expiry date. Employees who have already submitted a renewal application must maintain both their expired residence permits and proof of submission as evidence of their legal status. Employers should closely monitor the status of their foreign workforce and ensure that renewal applications are submitted within the applicable deadlines. Companies with non-compliant employees may face legal and operational implications.  

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.