Chapter VI · Residence in national territory · Section II · Residence permit · Subsection VIII · Residence permit in special situations

Article 123 Exceptional regime

Artigo 123.º · Regime excepcional

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. Where extraordinary situations arise to which the provisions of Article 122 do not apply, and in cases of residence permits on humanitarian grounds under the law governing the right of asylum, a temporary residence permit may, on an exceptional basis, be granted, on a proposal from the board of directors of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) or on the initiative of the member of the Government responsible for migration, to foreign nationals who do not meet the requirements laid down in this Law:

1 - Quando se verificarem situações extraordinárias a que não sejam aplicáveis as disposições previstas no artigo 122.º, bem como nos casos de autorização de residência por razões humanitárias ao abrigo da lei que regula o direito de asilo, mediante proposta do conselho diretivo da AIMA, I. P., ou por iniciativa do membro do Governo responsável pela área das migrações pode, a título excecional, ser concedida autorização de residência temporária a cidadãos estrangeiros que não preencham os requisitos exigidos na presente lei:

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a) For reasons of national interest;

a) Por razões de interesse nacional;

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b) On humanitarian grounds, in particular having regard to the best interests of the child;

b) Por razões humanitárias, designadamente atendendo ao superior interesse da criança;

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c) For reasons of public interest arising from the carrying out of a relevant activity in the scientific, cultural, sporting, economic or social field.

c) Por razões de interesse público decorrentes do exercício de uma actividade relevante no domínio científico, cultural, desportivo, económico ou social.

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2. (Repealed.)

2 - (Revogado.)

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3. Decisions of the member of the Government responsible for migration on applications for a residence permit made under the exceptional regime provided for in this Article must be duly reasoned.

3 - As decisões do membro do Governo responsável pela área das migrações sobre os pedidos de autorização de residência que sejam formulados ao abrigo do regime excecional previsto no presente artigo devem ser devidamente fundamentadas.

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4. In the procedure for granting a temporary residence permit provided for in paragraph 1, statements made by the applicant in any previous procedure conducted before AIMA may be used.

4 - No procedimento de concessão de autorização de residência temporária previsto no n.º 1, podem ser aproveitadas as declarações prestadas pelo requerente no âmbito de qualquer procedimento anterior que tenha corrido termos junto da AIMA, IP.

What we checked in this article

Check who may initiate the procedure (AIMA board proposal or the member of the Government’s own initiative), the three grounds in points (a) to (c), the duty to state reasons and the reuse of earlier statements before AIMA.

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 123 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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