Portugal Finalises Law to Simplify Residence and Work Permits for CPLP Citizens

Portugal has finalised a new law that simplifies residence and work permit procedures for nationals of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).

The law, signed by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, aims to ease entry and residency for CPLP citizens in Portugal.

Under this new law, nationals of CPLP countries will be allowed to enter Portugal without a visa or with a tourist visa and then apply for residence permits while in the country. This rule will particularly benefit Brazilians and Timorese, who already have visa-free access to the Schengen Area.

Ana Paula Costa, President of Casa do Brasil in Lisbon, welcomed the changes, stating, “We hope that people will be able to apply for a residence permit, which is a right under the CPLP mobility agreement, and that expired documents will be replaced quickly. It is important to emphasise that, with the new law, Portugal is complying with the agreement.”

Key Changes Introduced by the CPLP Law

The format of CPLP residence permits will change from the previous A4 paper sheet to a card format, aligning them with other types of residence permits issued in Portugal. This card will be recognised by EU authorities, allowing Brazilians and other CPLP citizens to travel to other European countries within the Schengen Area.

The validity of the residence permits will also be extended from one year to two years. Portuguese authorities estimate that over 150,000 people will benefit from the document exchange alone.

Additionally, a dedicated section for CPLP applicants will soon be available on the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) portal. However, as of February 12, the portal section was still under development.

EU Visa Applications from CPLP Nationals in 2023

In 2023, CPLP nationals submitted 148,239 Schengen visa applications, with Portugal being the primary destination.

Data reveals that 75.6 per cent of all visa applications from Angolan nationals in 2023 were for Portuguese visas. Similarly, Mozambican nationals submitted 20,313 visa applications, with 66 per cent directed to Portugal. Applicants from Cape Verde filed 18,341 visa applications, of which 91.1 per cent—16,725—were for Portugal.

The reforms mark a significant step in facilitating mobility and integration for CPLP nationals, aligning Portugal's policies with its commitments under the CPLP mobility agreement. 

By fLEXI tEAM