Chapter VIII · Removal from national territory · Section V · Readmission

Article 163 Concept of readmission

Artigo 163.º · Conceito de readmissão

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

#

1. In accordance with international conventions, foreign nationals who are illegally in the territory of a State, having come directly from another State, may be readmitted by the latter at the request of the State in whose territory they are.

1 - Nos termos das convenções internacionais, os cidadãos estrangeiros que se encontrem ilegalmente no território de um Estado, vindos directamente de outro Estado, podem ser por este readmitidos, mediante pedido formulado pelo Estado em cujo território se encontrem.

#

2. Readmission is active when Portugal is the requesting State and passive when Portugal is the requested State.

2 - A readmissão diz-se activa quando Portugal é o Estado requerente e passiva quando Portugal é o Estado requerido.

What we checked in this article

Verify the definition of readmission and the distinction between active (Portugal requesting) and passive (Portugal requested) readmission.

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 163 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.

Get a quote