Chapter II · Entry into and exit from national territory · Section II · General conditions of entry

Article 12 Statement of responsibility

Artigo 12.º · Termo de responsabilidade

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. For the purposes of the preceding Article, a third-country national may instead submit a statement of responsibility signed by a Portuguese citizen or by a foreign national entitled to stay lawfully in Portuguese territory.

1 - Para os efeitos previstos no artigo anterior, o nacional de Estado terceiro pode, em alternativa, apresentar termo de responsabilidade subscrito por cidadão nacional ou estrangeiro habilitado a permanecer regularmente em território português.

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2. Acceptance of the statement of responsibility referred to in the preceding paragraph depends on proof of the signatory’s financial capacity and must include an undertaking to ensure:

2 - A aceitação do termo de responsabilidade referido no número anterior depende da prova da capacidade financeira do respetivo subscritor e inclui obrigatoriamente o compromisso de assegurar:

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a) The conditions of stay in national territory;

a) As condições de estada em território nacional;

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b) Reimbursement of the costs of removal, in the event of illegal stay.

b) A reposição dos custos de afastamento, em caso de permanência ilegal.

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3. The preceding paragraph does not exclude the liability of the entities referred to in Articles 198 and 198-A, provided that the relevant conditions are met.

3 - O previsto no número anterior não exclui a responsabilidade das entidades referidas nos artigos 198.º e 198.º-A, desde que verificados os respetivos pressupostos.

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4. The statement of responsibility constitutes an enforceable title for the obligation provided for in paragraph 2(b).

4 - O termo de responsabilidade constitui título executivo da obrigação prevista na alínea b) do n.º 2.

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5. The form of the statement of responsibility is approved by resolution of the board of directors of AIMA.

5 - O modelo do termo de responsabilidade é aprovado por deliberação do conselho diretivo da AIMA, I. P.

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6. AIMA ensures the implementation of a system for recording and filing the statements of responsibility submitted, without prejudice to the applicable rules on personal data protection.

6 - A AIMA, I. P., assegura a implementação de um sistema de registo e arquivo dos termos de responsabilidade apresentados, sem prejuízo das normas aplicáveis em matéria de proteção de dados pessoais.

What we checked in this article

Check who may sign the statement, the proof of financial capacity, the two mandatory undertakings, the reference to Articles 198 and 198-A, its status as an enforceable title only for the removal costs in paragraph 2(b), and that AIMA’s board approves the form.

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 12 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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