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 21 Issue and control of the refugee travel document

Artigo 21.º · Emissão e controlo 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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1. The refugee travel document is issued by the authorities competent to grant it.

1 - A emissão do título de viagem para refugiados incumbe às entidades competentes para a sua concessão.

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2. AIMA is responsible for the control and national registration of the travel documents issued.

2 - Compete à AIMA, I. P., o controlo e registo nacional dos títulos de viagem emitidos.

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3. For the purposes of the preceding paragraph, the Portuguese consular or diplomatic authorities notify AIMA of the issue of travel documents granted under point (b) of the preceding Article.

3 - Para os efeitos do número anterior, as autoridades consulares ou diplomáticas portuguesas comunicam à AIMA, I. P., a emissão de títulos de viagem concedidos nos termos da alínea b) do artigo anterior.

What we checked in this article

Check that issue lies with the granting authorities, that AIMA keeps the national register, and the cross-reference to point (b) of Article 20.

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 21 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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