Chapter VIII · Removal from national territory · Section I · General provisions

Article 135 Limits on expulsion

Artigo 135.º · Limites à expulsão

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. The following foreign nationals may not be subject to forced removal or expulsion from the country:

1 - Não podem ser afastados coercivamente ou expulsos do País os cidadãos estrangeiros que:

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a) Those born in Portuguese territory who have resided here for at least five years;

a) Tenham nascido em território português e aqui residam há pelo menos cinco anos;

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b) Those who actually support minor children of Portuguese nationality residing in Portugal;

b) Tenham efetivamente a seu cargo filhos menores de nacionalidade portuguesa a residir em Portugal;

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c) Those who have minor children who are third-country nationals legally resident in Portuguese territory, in respect of whom they actually exercise parental responsibilities and whose maintenance and education they provide;

c) Tenham filhos menores, nacionais de Estado terceiro, residentes legais em território português, relativamente aos quais assumam efetivamente responsabilidades parentais e a quem assegurem o sustento e a educação;

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d) Those who have been in Portugal since before the age of 10 and have resided here for at least 5 years;

d) Se encontrem em Portugal desde idade inferior aos 10 anos e aqui residam há pelo menos 5 anos;

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e) Minors below the age of criminal responsibility under Portuguese law who are unaccompanied;

e) Sejam menores com idade inferior à fixada para a imputabilidade penal, nos termos da lei portuguesa, e que se encontrem não acompanhados;

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f) Those who have adult children who, by reason of disability, serious illness or incapacity, are actually dependent on them.

f) Tenham filhos maiores que, em razão de deficiência, doença grave ou incapacidade, deles dependam efetivamente.

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2. Without prejudice to an assessment of the circumstances of the specific case and, in particular, to the weighing of the principles of the best interests of the child and of the unity of family life, the preceding paragraph does not apply to foreign nationals:

2 - Sem prejuízo de apreciação das circunstâncias do caso concreto e designadamente da ponderação dos princípios do superior interesse da criança e da unidade da vida familiar, o disposto no número anterior não é aplicável aos cidadãos estrangeiros:

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a) Who have been sentenced to imprisonment of 5 years or more for a criminal offence referred to in Article 2(2) of Council Framework Decision 2002/584/JHA of 13 June 2002 on the European arrest warrant and the surrender procedures between Member States; or

a) Que tenham sido condenados em pena de prisão igual ou superior a 5 anos por infração penal prevista no n.º 2 do artigo 2.º da Decisão-Quadro 2002/584/JAI do Conselho, de 13 de junho de 2002, relativa ao mandado de detenção europeu e aos processos de entrega entre os Estados-Membros; ou

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b) In respect of whom there is a well-founded suspicion of the commission of terrorism or sabotage offences or offences against the security of the State, or who have been convicted of such offences; or

b) Em relação aos quais exista suspeita fundada da prática de crimes de terrorismo, sabotagem ou contra a segurança do Estado, ou de condenação pela prática de tais crimes; ou

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c) In the case provided for in Article 134(1)(b).

c) No caso previsto na alínea b) do n.º 1 do artigo 134.º

What we checked in this article

Check the six protected categories in paragraph 1 (five years’ residence, age under 10, minor and adult children) and the three exceptions in paragraph 2, including the 5-year sentence threshold, Framework Decision 2002/584/JHA and the cross-reference to Article 134(1)(b).

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 135 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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