Chapter VI · Residence in national territory · Section II · Residence permit · Subsection IV · Residence permit for family reunification

Article 108 Cancellation of the residence permit

Artigo 108.º · Cancelamento da autorização de residência

Lei n.º 23/2007, de 4 de julho (Lei de Estrangeiros) · consolidated text, as amended by Law No. 62/2026, checked 26 October 2026

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1. Without prejudice to Article 85, a residence permit issued under the right to family reunification is cancelled where the sole purpose of the marriage, de facto union or adoption was to enable the person concerned to enter or reside in the country.

1 - Sem prejuízo do disposto no artigo 85.º, a autorização de residência emitida ao abrigo do direito ao reagrupamento familiar é cancelada quando o casamento, a união de facto ou a adopção teve por fim único permitir à pessoa interessada entrar ou residir no País.

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2. Specific inquiries and checks may be carried out where there are well-founded indications of fraud or of a marriage, de facto union or adoption of convenience, as defined in the preceding paragraph.

2 - Podem ser efectuados inquéritos e controlos específicos quando existam indícios fundados de fraude ou de casamento, união de facto ou adopção de conveniência, tal como definidos no número anterior.

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3. Before a decision is taken to cancel a residence permit granted under family reunification, account is taken of the nature and solidity of the person’s family ties, the length of their residence in Portugal and the existence of family, cultural and social ties with the country of origin.

3 - Antes de ser proferida decisão de cancelamento da autorização de residência ao abrigo do reagrupamento familiar, são tidos em consideração a natureza e a solidez dos laços familiares da pessoa, o seu tempo de residência em Portugal e a existência de laços familiares, culturais e sociais com o país de origem.

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4. The cancellation decision is taken after the foreign national has been heard, and that hearing counts, for all purposes, as the hearing of the interested party.

4 - A decisão de cancelamento é proferida após audição do cidadão estrangeiro, que vale, para todos os efeitos, como audiência do interessado.

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5. The cancellation decision is notified to the person concerned, stating its grounds, and must state the right to bring a judicial challenge and the time limit for doing so.

5 - A decisão de cancelamento é notificada ao interessado com indicação dos seus fundamentos, dela devendo constar o direito de impugnação judicial e o respectivo prazo.

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6. (Repealed.)

6 - (Revogado.)

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7. A decision to cancel a family member’s permit on the grounds set out in paragraph 1 may be the subject of a judicial challenge, with suspensive effect, before the administrative courts.

7 - A decisão de cancelamento da autorização do membro da família com fundamento no n.º 1 é susceptível de impugnação judicial, com efeito suspensivo, perante os tribunais administrativos.

What we checked in this article

Verify the sole-purpose test in paragraph 1, the factors to be weighed in paragraph 3, the hearing and notification requirements, and the suspensive effect of a judicial challenge before the administrative courts in paragraph 7.

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 108 may decide what you can apply for.

We map the visa and residence route that fits your activity, prepare the company side (contracts, payroll, registrations) and coordinate with immigration lawyers for the application itself. A written answer and a fixed quote within one working day.

Unofficial English translation prepared by BCA Portugal for reference. Only the Portuguese text published in the Diário da República has legal force. Editorial notes are ours and are not part of the statute.

Applying the law

Visas and residence in Portugal, planned together with the company

The permit depends on what you will do here: employment, your own company, remote work for a foreign employer or investment. Tell us the plan, and we will set out which route the Act gives you and what the company needs to have in place.

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