After a Portuguese permit has expired or status is lost: new application, closed manifestação de interesse, leaving
The manifestação de interesse, which let people in Portugal apply for residence without a residence visa, was revoked in June 2024. The transitional deadline ended on 31 December 2025. A permit expired for more than six months needs a new application at an AIMA counter. Article 123 still allows exceptional residence permits, including on humanitarian grounds. Someone who gets a refusal must leave within a set 20 to 30 days. The state may support voluntary return.
Moving to Portugal
Practical facts for newcomers, from official sources Finance Living
Finance
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
65
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
12.5–48%
Income tax (national)
VAT 23%
Nine brackets from 12.5% up to EUR 8,342 to 48% above EUR 86,634 (Lei 73-A/2025).
Living
1
Happiness
#67 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Eligibility
Who it’s for: People in Portugal whose permit has expired, whose application was refused, or who have no valid status.
Permit expired more than six months
Sign in to check this route against your profile- Renewal is not available.
- You must submit a new residence application at an AIMA counter.
- Registos counters do not take these.
Refused or cancelled status
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou must leave Portugal within the period set after your status is refused or cancelled.
20 to 30 days
Time to leave · set in the decision
- The national director of PSP may extend the period
- Extension considers length of stay, children in school, and family or social ties
Official wording
You must leave within the period set, between 20 and 30 days. The national director of PSP may extend it, considering length of stay, children in school and family or social ties.
Voluntary return
Sign in to check this route against your profileThe state may support return to your country of origin or another third country that accepts you. AIMA may manage such programmes.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 1 more requirement
- 1 document
- 1 fee
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Want a licensed advisor to check your case?
Connect with a licensed legal advisor for Portugal. They set their own price and you pay them directly.
- Licence checked with the regulator
- You choose what they see
- They start from a prepared case
Your edge here Premium
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Places to visit in Portugal
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Other routes to Portugal
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyResidence visa and residence permit for higher education students
- Work permitsResidence visa and residence permit for highly qualified activity (art. 61/61-A and art. 90) and EU Blue Card
- 3 more routes with Premium
