Portugal Approves Law Easing Residence and Work Permit Procedures for CPLP Nationals

Revised Version:

Key Takeaways

1. Portugal has enacted a law allowing CPLP nationals to enter as tourists and apply for residence permits while in the country.
2. The new legislation aims to strengthen diplomatic ties between Portugal and CPLP nations.
3. Residence permits under the law will now be valid for two years instead of one.

Portugal Implements New Law Simplifying Residence for CPLP Nationals

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has signed a law facilitating the entry and residency process for nationals of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).

Under this law, CPLP nationals can now enter Portugal visa-free or on a tourist visa and apply for a residence permit while already in the country. This particularly benefits Brazilians and Timorese, who do not require a visa to enter the Schengen Area.

“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. With this new law, Portugal is fulfilling its commitment to the agreement.”
— Ana Paula Costa, President of Casa do Brasil in Lisbon

Key Changes Introduced by the CPLP Law

• Residence permits will now be issued as cards instead of A4 paper documents, aligning with other EU residence permits.
• The new residence card will be recognized by EU authorities, allowing CPLP nationals to travel more freely within Europe.
• Permit validity has been extended from one year to two years, benefiting over 150,000 individuals.
• The Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) will soon launch a dedicated CPLP section on its portal for applicants, though as of February 12, the website is still under development.

Nearly 150,000 Schengen Visa Applications Filed by CPLP Nationals in 2023

CPLP member states—Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, Timor-Leste, and Brazil—accounted for 148,239 Schengen visa applications in 2023.

According to SchengenVisaInfo statistics, Portugal was the primary destination for most CPLP applicants:

• 75.6% of all Schengen visa applications from Angolan nationals were for Portugal.
• 66% of visa applications from Mozambique were for Portugal.
• 91.1% of Cape Verdean applicants sought Portuguese visas, with 16,725 out of 18,341 applications directed to Portugal.