Chapter VI · Residence in national territory · Section II · Residence permit · Subsection VI · Residence permit for holders of long-term resident status in another EU Member State

Article 119 Public policy, public security and public health

Artigo 119.º · Ordem pública, segurança pública e saúde pública

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. An application for a residence permit submitted under this section may be refused where the person concerned represents a threat to public policy or public security.

1 - O pedido de autorização de residência apresentado ao abrigo da presente secção pode ser indeferido quando a pessoa em causa represente uma ameaça para a ordem pública ou para a segurança pública.

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2. A refusal decision under the previous paragraph must take into account the seriousness or type of offence against public policy or public security committed by the long-term resident or by their family member, or the dangers that may arise from that person’s stay in national territory.

2 - A decisão de indeferimento nos termos do número anterior deve ter em consideração a gravidade ou o tipo de ofensa à ordem pública ou à segurança pública cometido pelo residente de longa duração ou pelo seu familiar, ou os perigos que possam advir da permanência dessa pessoa em território nacional.

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3. The decision referred to in paragraph 1 must not be based on economic grounds.

3 - A decisão a que se refere o n.º 1 não deve basear-se em razões económicas.

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4. The application for a residence permit of long-term residents or of their family member may also be refused where the person concerned represents a threat to public health, as defined in Article 77(3).

4 - Pode igualmente ser indeferido o pedido de autorização de residência dos residentes de longa duração ou do seu familiar quando a pessoa em causa representar uma ameaça para a saúde pública, nos termos definidos no n.º 3 do artigo 77.º

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5. Article 77(4) and (5) apply to the situations referred to in the previous paragraph.

5 - Às situações do número anterior é aplicável o disposto nos n.os 4 e 5 do artigo 77.º

What we checked in this article

Check that refusal is discretionary (‘may’), the factors in paragraph 2, the bar on economic grounds in paragraph 3, and the cross-references to Article 77(3), (4) and (5).

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 119 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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