Chapter VI · Residence in national territory · Section II · Residence permit · Subsection V · Residence permit for victims of trafficking in human beings or of aiding illegal immigration

Article 111 Reflection period

Artigo 111.º · Prazo de reflexão

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. Before the residence permit provided for in Article 109 is issued, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) grants the person concerned a reflection period allowing them to recover and escape the influence of the perpetrators of the offences concerned.

1 - Antes da emissão da autorização de residência prevista no artigo 109.º, a AIMA, I. P., dá à pessoa interessada um prazo de reflexão que lhe permita recuperar e escapar à influência dos autores das infrações em causa.

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2. The reflection period referred to in the preceding paragraph lasts a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 60 days, counted from the moment the competent authorities request cooperation, the moment the person concerned expresses their willingness to cooperate with the authorities responsible for the investigation, or the moment the person concerned is flagged as a victim of trafficking in human beings under the applicable special legislation.

2 - O prazo de reflexão referido no número anterior tem uma duração mínima de 30 dias e máxima de 60 dias, contados a partir do momento em que as autoridades competentes solicitam a colaboração, do momento em que a pessoa interessada manifesta a sua vontade de colaborar com as autoridades encarregadas da investigação ou do momento em que a pessoa em causa é sinalizada como vítima de tráfico de pessoas nos termos da legislação especial aplicável.

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3. During the reflection period, the person concerned is entitled to the treatment provided for in Article 112, and no removal measure may be enforced against them.

3 - Durante o prazo de reflexão, o interessado tem direito ao tratamento previsto no artigo 112.º, não podendo contra ele ser executada qualquer medida de afastamento.

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4. The reflection period does not confer on the person concerned a right of residence under this section.

4 - O prazo de reflexão não confere ao interessado direito de residência ao abrigo do disposto na presente secção.

What we checked in this article

Verify the 30-day minimum and 60-day maximum, the three alternative starting points, the bar on enforcing removal measures and the cross-references to Articles 109 and 112.

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 111 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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