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What's changed.

Dated updates to visa, tax, residency, citizenship, housing, and labour policy across every country tracked. Every entry cites its primary source and the date we last verified it.

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Category All categoriesVisa & immigrationResidencyCitizenshipTaxationLabourHousingHealthcareOther
Announced 11 Apr 2025
Announced Citizenship

Proposed citizenship residence-requirement increase

The Portuguese government announced in April 2025 a proposal to raise the residence requirement for naturalisation from five years to seven (and to ten for nationals of non-Portuguese-speaking countries), alongside stricter language and civic-knowledge assessment. The proposal is in parliamentary process; existing applications continue under the five-year rule.

Who it affects: Prospective naturalisation applicants arriving after adoption, if enacted.

Governo de Portugal ↗ · Ministério da Administração Interna ↗ · AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 1 Jan 2025
In force Labour

National minimum wage raised to €870 per month

The national minimum wage (Retribuição Mínima Mensal Garantida) rose from €820 to €870 per month (14 payments per year) on 1 January 2025, in line with the tripartite agreement on income and competitiveness. The minimum wage anchors the D8 digital-nomad visa income threshold (4× minimum) at approximately €3,480/month.

Who it affects: Low-wage employees, self-employed workers, and D8 / other salary-threshold visa applicants.

Portuguese Government Portal ↗ · Diário da República ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2025
In force Taxation

IRS Jovem youth tax exemption expanded

The State Budget for 2025 materially expanded IRS Jovem — Portugal's youth income-tax exemption. It now applies to taxpayers up to age 35 (raised from 30 and narrower prior thresholds), for up to 10 years, with 100% exemption in year one stepping down to 25% in years 8-10, subject to an earnings cap.

Who it affects: Residents under 35 earning employment or self-employment income in Portugal.

Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira ↗ · Diário da República Eletrónico ↗ · Governo de Portugal ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 1 Nov 2024
In force Housing

Partial rollback of Mais Habitação under Construir Portugal plan

The Montenegro government's Construir Portugal housing plan partially rolled back several Mais Habitação provisions: the compulsory-leasing mechanism for long-empty properties and certain rental-market interventions were reversed or softened; short-term-let tax treatment adjusted; incentives re-weighted toward construction-side supply measures. Further legislative detail rolled through 2024–2025.

Who it affects: Landlords, investors, and tenants in Portuguese urban markets; further adjustments expected.

Portuguese Government Portal ↗ · Diário da República ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 4 Jun 2024
In force Residency

Lei dos Estrangeiros reform — "expressão de interesse" route ended

Decree-Law 37-A/2024 ended the Article 89(2) "manifestation of interest" (expressão de interesse) route — under which non-EU nationals could enter Portugal on a tourist visa and legalise their status from within the country after starting employment and registering with Segurança Social. New applications must now go through a consular visa in the country of origin. Transitional rules protected applications filed before the reform date; the change materially tightened the immigration route most heavily used by Brazilian and Asian workers.

Who it affects: Non-EU nationals planning irregular-to-regular transition from within Portugal, particularly from Brazil, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo ↗ · Portuguese Government Portal ↗ · Diário da República ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 3 Jun 2024
In force Visa & immigration

"Manifestação de interesse" in-country regularisation route ended

The "manifestação de interesse" route, which had allowed third-country nationals who entered Portugal legally to regularise status in-country based on social-security contributions, was ended as part of the June 2024 migration package. New applicants must now apply through consular visa channels abroad. Already-lodged expressions of interest continue to be processed.

Who it affects: Third-country nationals arriving in Portugal without a prior long-stay visa.

Ministério da Administração Interna ↗ · AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 3 Jun 2024
In force Visa & immigration

AIMA Mission Plan launched to clear 400,000-case backlog

The Portuguese government launched a dedicated AIMA "mission structure" in June 2024 tasked with clearing an inherited backlog of approximately 400,000 pending residence-permit and regularisation cases — the largest backlog in AIMA's first year. Triage offices were opened and additional staff seconded from other ministries.

Who it affects: All third-country nationals in the AIMA backlog since late 2022.

Ministério da Administração Interna ↗ · AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo ↗ · Governo de Portugal ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 3 Jun 2024
In force Residency

AIMA backlog resolution plan announced (400,000+ pending files)

The Montenegro government announced a structured plan to clear the backlog of roughly 400,000 pending residence-permit cases inherited from the SEF-to-AIMA transition. The plan included dedicated processing task-forces ("Grupo de Missão") and later automated-decision procedures for specified application categories. Processing times for residence-permit renewals remained well above AIMA's target throughout 2024 and into 2025.

Who it affects: Non-EU residents awaiting residence-permit issue or renewal; an important context for arrival planning.

AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo ↗ · Portuguese Government Portal ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Taxation

IFICI ("NHR 2.0") — Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation launched

The successor regime to NHR, formally the Incentivo Fiscal à Investigação Científica e Inovação (IFICI), was enacted under Law 82/2023 and the implementing ordinance published in late 2024. It offers a 20% flat rate on qualifying Portuguese employment/self-employment income for ten years, but eligibility is much narrower — limited to researchers, qualified staff of certified innovation employers, startup employees, and specific high-value roles. Retroactive to those who became Portuguese tax-resident in 2024.

Who it affects: New tax residents in qualifying research, startup, or innovation roles.

Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira ↗ · Diário da República Eletrónico ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Taxation

IRS 2024 — lower-bracket marginal rates cut

The 2024 IRS (personal income tax) reform retroactively cut marginal rates across the lower and middle brackets, with the second bracket's rate reduced from 21% to 16.5% as the headline change. The measure was designed to raise middle-income take-home pay and was applied retroactively from 1 January 2024 with adjustments processed in the 2024 annual return.

Who it affects: All Portuguese-resident income-tax payers, with the largest relative effect on middle earners.

Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira ↗ · Portuguese Government Portal ↗ · Diário da República ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Taxation

IFICI regime introduced as narrow successor to NHR

The Incentivo Fiscal à Investigação Científica e Inovação (IFICI, article 58-A of the Tax Benefits Statute) entered force alongside NHR closure. IFICI offers a flat 20% rate on qualifying Portuguese-source income for ten years, but eligibility is materially narrower than NHR: researchers at certified institutions, teaching staff at higher-education and Portuguese innovation-certified companies, qualified workers at IAPMEI-certified "startup"-status companies, and certain roles at companies in designated priority sectors. Movers should not assume IFICI eligibility from prior NHR-style planning without specific confirmation.

Who it affects: Researchers, specified innovation-sector workers, and founders at certified startups considering Portuguese residency.

Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira ↗ · IAPMEI — Business Support Agency ↗ · Portuguese Government Portal ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Taxation

Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime closed to new applicants

Under the State Budget for 2024, the Non-Habitual Resident tax regime — which had offered flat 20% tax on qualifying Portuguese income and broad exemption on most foreign income for ten years — was closed to new applicants from 1 January 2024. Existing NHR beneficiaries retained the regime until the end of their ten-year period. A narrow transitional window applied to those who had begun relocation steps by October 2023.

Who it affects: Prospective movers who had planned to use NHR; existing NHR holders retain their status.

Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira ↗ · Diário da República Eletrónico ↗ · Governo de Portugal ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Taxation

Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime closed to new applicants

The 2024 State Budget (Lei do Orçamento do Estado para 2024) ended the Non-Habitual Resident tax regime for new applicants from 1 January 2024. NHR offered a flat 20% rate on qualifying Portuguese-source professional income and partial or full exemption on foreign-source income for ten years. Transitional rules allowed applications during 2024 for those meeting specific pre-2024 residency / employment-contract criteria. Existing NHR beneficiaries retain their status for the remainder of their ten-year period.

Who it affects: Non-residents planning a tax-advantaged move to Portugal after 1 January 2024.

Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira ↗ · Portuguese Government Portal ↗ · Diário da República ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Housing

Rental-update coefficient capped amid rent-increase controls

The annual lawful rent-update coefficient was administratively capped at a sub-inflation rate (around 6.94% for 2024, versus an uncapped figure closer to 10%), building on the 2022-2023 emergency rental measures under Mais Habitação. Landlords unable to apply the full IPC-linked increase were compensated via IRS credits.

Who it affects: Tenants in existing contracts; landlords seeing reduced rent-rise headroom.

IHRU — Instituto da Habitação e Reabilitação Urbana ↗ · Diário da República Eletrónico ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 29 Oct 2023
In force Visa & immigration

AIMA replaces SEF as migration authority

The Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) replaced the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras on 29 October 2023, absorbing most civilian immigration functions. Border-police functions transferred to PSP/GNR. The transition contributed to a large backlog in residence-permit processing through 2024-2025.

Who it affects: All third-country nationals with residence cases; Portuguese residents renewing permits.

AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo ↗ · Diário da República Eletrónico ↗ · Ministério da Administração Interna ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 29 Oct 2023
In force Residency

AIMA replaces SEF as the immigration administrative authority

The Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) was dissolved and its administrative immigration functions transferred to the newly-created Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) from 29 October 2023. Border-security functions moved to PSP, GNR, and Polícia Judiciária. The transition has been accompanied by substantial processing backlogs for residence-permit applications and renewals throughout 2023–2025.

Who it affects: All non-EU residents applying for or renewing Portuguese residence permits.

AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo ↗ · Portuguese Government Portal ↗ · Diário da República ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 7 Oct 2023
In force Residency

Golden Visa real-estate and rental routes abolished

Under the Mais Habitação law, the Golden Visa (Autorização de Residência para Atividade de Investimento) was restructured on 7 October 2023. The real-estate purchase route, the real-estate-capital-transfer route, and the residential-rental investment routes were abolished. Fund investment, job creation, cultural, and scientific research contributions remain — the investment-fund path is now the dominant route.

Who it affects: Prospective Golden Visa applicants; existing holders retain their status.

Diário da República Eletrónico ↗ · Governo de Portugal ↗ · AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 7 Oct 2023
In force Housing

Mais Habitação housing-reform law enters force

Lei n.º 56/2023 (Mais Habitação) enters force on 7 October 2023 with multiple provisions: tightened short-term-rental (Alojamento Local, AL) licensing — including moratorium on new licences in Lisbon, Porto, and stress-market parishes; rental-price caps on new contracts in designated stressed markets; municipal powers to convert long-empty properties to social use; and restructuring of the Golden Visa (see separate entry).

Who it affects: Landlords, prospective landlords, short-term-let operators, and tenants in stressed urban markets.

Diário da República ↗ · Portuguese Government Portal ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 7 Oct 2023
In force Residency

Golden Visa real-estate route abolished under Mais Habitação

The Mais Habitação housing-reform law (Lei n.º 56/2023) abolished the residential real-estate investment route of the Autorização de Residência para Investimento (ARI, "Golden Visa") from 7 October 2023. Remaining qualifying routes include regulated investment-fund subscriptions (€500,000), qualifying business creation, cultural-heritage donation, and R&D investment. Pending applications submitted before the cut-off were processed under the prior rules.

Who it affects: Non-EU high-net-worth applicants to the Portuguese Golden Visa.

AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo ↗ · Diário da República ↗ · Portuguese Government Portal ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 May 2023
In force Labour

Agenda do Trabalho Digno enters force

Lei n.º 13/2023 (Agenda do Trabalho Digno) strengthened provisions around temporary-contract abuse, stricter rules on the conversion of fixed-term contracts to permanent, new framework for platform-work classification (addressing Uber/Bolt driver status), enhanced parental-leave rights, and the effective abolition of the healthcare "moderator fee" (taxa moderadora) for most SNS interactions.

Who it affects: Employees on fixed-term or platform-work contracts; patients using the SNS.

Portuguese Government Portal ↗ · Diário da República ↗ · Segurança Social ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2023
In force Taxation

Crypto-asset capital-gains tax rules enter force

Portugal began taxing crypto-asset capital gains from 1 January 2023 under the 2023 State Budget. Short-term gains (on assets held under 365 days) are taxed at a flat 28% (or optionally under the progressive IRS schedule); long-term gains on assets held at least 365 days remain exempt. Crypto-denominated salary is taxed as regular income.

Who it affects: Portuguese-resident holders of crypto assets; a specific attraction point versus most other EU regimes.

Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira ↗ · Portuguese Government Portal ↗ · Diário da República ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 30 Oct 2022
In force Visa & immigration

D8 Digital Nomad Visa formally launched

Portugal introduced the D8 Digital Nomad Visa (Visto para atividade profissional prestada remotamente) on 30 October 2022. It offers long-stay entry for remote workers earning at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage from non-Portuguese employers or clients, with a route to residence permit thereafter. It has become one of the most-used remote-work visas in Europe.

Who it affects: Remote workers with non-Portuguese employers seeking to relocate.

AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo ↗ · Diário da República Eletrónico ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 30 Oct 2022
In force Visa & immigration

D8 Digital Nomad Visa introduced

Portugal introduced a dedicated remote-worker residence permit (visto de residência para exercício de atividade profissional prestada de forma remota, commonly "D8") from 30 October 2022. Applicants demonstrating foreign-source income of at least four times the national minimum wage (approximately €3,480/month in 2025) qualify for either a one-year temporary-stay visa or a residence permit renewable for up to five years with a path to permanent residence and citizenship.

Who it affects: Non-EU remote workers and freelancers with foreign clients considering Portuguese residency.

Portal de Vistos (Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros) ↗ · AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo ↗ · Diário da República ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 30 Oct 2022
In force Visa & immigration

Work-Seeker Visa (Visto para Procura de Trabalho) introduced

A new residence visa for the purpose of job search was created under the 2022 Lei dos Estrangeiros revision, allowing non-EU nationals to enter Portugal for up to 120 days (extendable once by 60 days) to look for work. Holders who sign an employment contract during the stay can then convert directly to a work residence permit without leaving the country.

Who it affects: Non-EU nationals seeking entry to Portugal to search for employment.

AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo ↗ · Portal de Vistos (Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros) ↗ · Diário da República ↗ · verified 2026-04-18