The Manifestação de Interesse in Portugal was for years one of the main entry routes for foreigners who wanted to legalize their status in the country after already securing a job in Portugal. However, in June 2024, this mechanism was revoked by Decree-Law No. 37-A/2024, significantly transforming the migration landscape.
In this article, you will understand:
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Why the Manifestação de Interesse was discontinued.
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What alternatives exist today to live and work legally in Portugal.
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How an immigration lawyer can assist in this process.
1. The End of the Manifestação de Interesse
Until 2024, the Manifestação de Interesse allowed foreign citizens entering Portugal as tourists and securing a work contract to apply for a residence permit directly, without a prior visa.
This pathway was discontinued because it caused:
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Overload at AIMA (formerly SEF), with long queues and processes stalled for years.
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Legal uncertainty, as many foreigners remained undocumented for long periods.
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Lack of migration control, complicating public policy management.
Under the new law, the Portuguese government requires that entry into the country be done with an appropriate visaaccording to the immigrant’s purpose.
2. Current Alternatives to the Manifestação de Interesse
Today, anyone wishing to live in Portugal must choose one of the available legal visas. The main options include:
✔ Job Seeker Visa
Designed for those looking for employment in Portugal. Initial validity is 120 daysextendable by another 60 days. Applicants must prove means of subsistence during the job search period.
✔ D7 Visa (Retirees and Passive Income)
Ideal for retirees or people living on stable income, such as rentals, investments, or pensions.
✔ D2 Visa (Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Professionals)
Intended for those planning to start a business or invest in Portugal.
✔ Digital Nomad Visa (D8)
Targeted at professionals working remotely for companies or clients outside Portugal, provided they can demonstrate stable monthly income.
✔ CPLP Visas
For citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, the residence process is simplified and faster.
3. What About Those Who Submitted the Manifestação de Interesse Before June 2024?
If you submitted the Manifestação de Interesse before June 3, 2024, your application may still be valid. AIMA has created a new exclusive portal to track these processes.
➡️ This means:
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Applicants who already submitted may still be called.
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It is essential to monitor notifications on the AIMA portal.
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Documents must always be up to date to avoid rejections.
4. Risks of Trying to Legalize Without a Visa
After the end of the Manifestação de Interesse, attempting to stay in Portugal without the proper visa can pose serious risks:
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Irregular status, making access to employment, healthcare, and social rights difficult.
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Fines and orders to leave the country.
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Future entry bans to the Schengen Area
Therefore, regularization should always start before traveling, by choosing the correct visa.
5. How a specialized lawyer can help
With so many changes in the law, the guidance of an immigration lawyer is increasingly important. Here’s how legal support can make a difference:
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Analyze your profile and recommend the most appropriate visa.
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Prepare all documentation, avoiding mistakes that delay the process.
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Monitor deadlines and notifications from AIMA (including for those who previously had a pending Manifestação de Interesse).
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Defend your rightsin case of rejection or irregularities in the process.
Having specialized guidance significantly increases your chances of success and reduces uncertainty during the transition to life in Portugal.
Conclusion
The Manifestação de Interesse in Portugal no longer exists, but this doesn’t mean the country’s doors are closed. On the contrary: Portugal still offers various visas and opportunities for foreigners who wish to live, work, or start a business in the country.
The key is to choose the correct visa and organize your documentation strategically — and a specialized lawyer can be the difference between success and frustration in the process.
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