Chapter II · Entry into and exit from national territory · Section IV · Travel documents · Subsection I · Travel documents issued by the Portuguese authorities to foreign nationals

Article 20 Competence to grant the refugee travel document

Artigo 20.º · Competência para a concessão do título de viagem para refugiados

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 following are competent to grant the refugee travel document and to extend it:

São competentes para a concessão do título de viagem para refugiados e respectiva prorrogação:

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a) In national territory, the board of directors of AIMA, which may delegate this power, subject to a favourable opinion from the UCFE;

a) Em território nacional, conselho diretivo da AIMA, I. P., com faculdade de delegação, mediante parecer favorável da UCFE;

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b) Abroad, the Portuguese consular or diplomatic authorities, subject to a favourable opinion from the UCFE and from AIMA.

b) No estrangeiro, as autoridades consulares ou diplomáticas portuguesas, mediante parecer favorável da UCFE e da AIMA, I. P.

What we checked in this article

Check the competent authority in national territory (AIMA board, with power to delegate) and abroad (consular or diplomatic authorities), and the favourable opinions required from the UCFE and, abroad, also from AIMA.

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 20 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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