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Portugal has enacted sweeping immigration changes that immediately eliminate the Job-Seeker Visa and cancel all existing appointments as of October 23, 2025. The replacement—a new highly skilled work-seeking visa—cannot yet be issued because the required regulations are still pending.
The government has also confirmed that the long-standing Manifestação de Interesse scheme will end on December 31, 2025, forcing resolution of nearly 130,000 pending cases.?Industry groups warn that the shift toward skilled-only migration may deepen labour shortages in tourism, hospitality, agriculture, and construction.
A Sudden Halt to Work-Seeking Visas
The changes stem from Law No. 61/2025, published on October 22 and enforced the next day. The law abolishes the Job-Seeker Visa completely, immediately voiding every upcoming appointment.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that no new applications can be submitted for the new skilled visa until a ministerial order defining “specialized technical competencies” is issued. As of late October, no timeline exists.
This abrupt transition has left hundreds of thousands of scheduled applicants without a pathway to apply, creating a significant regulatory and procedural vacuum.
A Stricter Skilled Work-Seeking Visa
The new visa will:
• Be limited to highly skilled professionals only
• Remain valid for 120 days, with an automatic AIMA appointment
• Allow no Schengen travel (Portugal-only validity)
• Require applicants who fail to secure employment within 120 days to leave the country and wait a full year before reapplying
Until regulations define who qualifies as “highly skilled,” the program cannot begin.
This marks a significant departure from the previous system, which allowed any applicant with minimum financial means to enter Portugal and search for work.
Manifestação de Interesse Ends December 31
The new law permanently ends the Manifestação de Interesse pathway, which previously enabled migrants to apply for residency after entering Portugal as tourists and contributing 12 months of Social Security payments.
All pending applications must be submitted by December 31, 2025, or they will be forfeited.?With roughly 130,000 cases still pending, migrants and lawyers warn of severe backlogs and uncertainty.
“Green Route” Remains, But Only for Large Employers
Portugal’s Via Verde (Green Route)—an expedited 20-day visa for workers with job offers—remains operational but includes strict conditions:
• Employer must have 150+ employees
• Minimum €25M annual turnover
• No outstanding tax or Social Security debt
• Suitable housing for foreign workers
• Verified training and integration plans
These requirements effectively exclude most small and medium-sized businesses.
Labour Market Concerns Intensify
Immigration lawyers and business groups warn that the reforms will worsen shortages across key sectors.
• Hospitality associations report hotels may close restaurants or guest rooms due to lack of staff.
• Tourism and construction estimate tens of thousands of unfilled jobs, despite rising wages.
Industry leaders say new restrictions cut off the lower-skilled labour pipeline many businesses depend on.
Guidance for Affected Applicants
If your appointment was canceled:
• All VFS Global, TLScontact, and BLS International appointments have been voided.
• Wait for official announcements before rebooking—applications cannot currently be submitted.
If you already applied:
• Contact the Portuguese consulate where you applied to determine whether your file is still being processed.
• No refund policy has yet been announced for canceled cases.
Remaining Visa Pathways in Portugal
Despite the cancellation of the Job-Seeker Visa, several categories remain available:
• D8 Digital Nomad Visa – income from remote work
• D7 Passive Income Visa – pensions, rentals, dividends
• D2 Entrepreneur Visa – business creation
• D3 Highly Qualified Visa – skilled professionals with job offers
• Golden Visa – investment-based residency
Each requires specific income, investment, or employment criteria.
Alternatives Across the EU
With Portugal’s door tightening, many applicants may shift toward other EU job-seeker programs:
• Germany’s Chancenkarte – 12-month job search, points-based
• Spain’s New Graduate Job-Seeker Visa – for recent university graduates
• Netherlands Orientation Year (Zoekjaar) – for graduates of top 200 universities
• Austria, Poland, Luxembourg – multiple skilled-migration pathways
Germany remains the most flexible and widely accessible option in 2025.
Family Reunification Also Tightened
The new law introduces a two-year waiting period before new residents can sponsor family members, except for minor children and spouses with shared children. Applicants must also meet housing, financial, and integration obligations, including completing a Portuguese language and civic program.
Looking Ahead
Portugal’s sweeping reform marks the most significant overhaul of its immigration framework in decades. The shift from broad post-arrival regularization to a highly restricted, pre-vetted entry system leaves many migrants uncertain about their prospects.
Key dates to monitor:
• Dec 31, 2025 – Final deadline for Manifestação de Interesse submissions
• TBD – Publication of the ministerial order defining “specialized technical competencies”
• TBD – Start date for the new skilled work-seeking visa
With no regulatory timeline in sight, applicants will need to decide whether to wait—or pursue alternative pathways in Portugal or elsewhere in the EU.
Source: SchengenNews.eu
December 2, 2025
