Immigrants' Documents

The validity of immigrants' documents was extended until the end of 2023

Decree-Law 90/2022, of December 30, extended the validity of documents and visas related to stay in national territory, whose validity expires on January 1, 2023, or in the 15 days immediately before, which are accepted, under the same terms, until December 31, 2023.

This diploma ensures the continuity of the regime that determines the availability of documents and expired visas related to stay in national territory.

On the other hand, this diploma extends the transitional regime for the recognition and exchange of driving licenses issued by the United Kingdom to citizens residing in Portugal and establishes a transitional regime for the recognition of parking cards for people with mobility handicaps issued by the United Kingdom.

The extension may be in force beyond 2023, i.e., even after December 31, provided that the holder provides proof that he has already scheduled the respective renewal.

This measure aims to facilitate the lives of immigrants in Portugal who have not been able to regularize their situation due to malfunctioning and thousands of pending cases at the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF).

Thus, citizens who have titles that expired after March 13, 2020, will have their documents considered valid for at least another year.

However, it should be noted that this extension of validity is only accepted in Portugal, so travel within the Schengen area and/or the European Union is not safeguarded, since the respective authorities have no obligation to recognize this extension. This extension scheme does not apply to the granting of temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine.

Gold visas can now also be renewed online.