Chapter IX · Criminal provisions

Article 182 Criminal and civil liability of legal persons and equivalent entities

Artigo 182.º · Responsabilidade criminal e civil das pessoas colectivas e equiparadas

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. Legal persons and equivalent entities are liable, under the general rules, for the crimes provided for in this Law.

1 - As pessoas colectivas e entidades equiparadas são responsáveis, nos termos gerais, pelos crimes previstos na presente lei.

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2. The entities referred to in paragraph 1 are jointly and severally liable, under civil law, for payment of the criminal fines (multas), fines (coimas), compensation and other amounts that the perpetrators of the offences provided for in this Law are ordered to pay.

2 - As entidades referidas no n.º 1 respondem solidariamente, nos termos da lei civil, pelo pagamento das multas, coimas, indemnizações e outras prestações em que forem condenados os agentes das infracções previstas na presente lei.

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3. Criminal liability for committing the crimes provided for in Articles 183 to 185-A is accompanied by civil liability for payment of all expenses relating to the stay and removal of the foreign nationals concerned, including any costs of sending to the country of origin sums arising from outstanding employment-related claims.

3 - À responsabilidade criminal pela prática dos crimes previstos nos artigos 183.º a 185.º-A, acresce a responsabilidade civil pelo pagamento de todas as despesas inerentes à estada e ao afastamento dos cidadãos estrangeiros envolvidos, incluindo quaisquer despesas com custos de envio para o país de origem de verbas decorrentes de créditos laborais em dívida.

What we checked in this article

Verify the joint and several civil liability of legal persons, the reference to the crimes in Articles 183 to 185-A, and the scope of the expenses covered by civil liability.

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 182 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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