Chapter X · Administrative offences

Article 194 Carriage of a person not authorised to enter the country

Artigo 194.º · Transporte de pessoa com entrada não autorizada no País

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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The carriage to Portuguese territory of a foreign national who does not hold a valid travel document or visa, by a carrier or by any person in the course of a professional activity, constitutes an administrative offence punishable, for each foreign national carried, by a fine of EUR 4,000 to EUR 6,000 in the case of legal persons and EUR 3,000 to EUR 5,000 in the case of natural persons.

O transporte, para o território português, de cidadão estrangeiro que não possua documento de viagem ou visto válidos, por transportadora ou por qualquer pessoa no exercício de uma actividade profissional, constitui contra-ordenação punível, por cada cidadão estrangeiro transportado, com coima de (euro) 4000 a (euro) 6000, no caso de pessoas colectivas, e de (euro) 3000 a (euro) 5000, no caso de pessoas singulares.

What we checked in this article

Verify that the fine is per foreign national carried and the ranges for legal persons (EUR 4,000 to EUR 6,000) and natural persons (EUR 3,000 to EUR 5,000).

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 194 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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