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 26 Laissez-passer

Artigo 26.º · Salvo-conduto

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. A laissez-passer may be granted to foreign nationals who, not being resident in the country, show that it is impossible or difficult for them to leave Portuguese territory.

1 - Pode ser concedido salvo-conduto aos cidadãos estrangeiros que, não residindo no País, demonstrem impossibilidade ou dificuldade de sair do território português.

#

2. In exceptional cases, arising from reasons of national interest or the fulfilment of international obligations, a laissez-passer may be issued to foreign nationals who, not being resident in the country, prove that it is impossible for them to obtain another travel document.

2 - Em casos excepcionais, decorrentes de razões de interesse nacional ou do cumprimento de obrigações internacionais, pode ser emitido salvo-conduto a cidadãos estrangeiros que, não residindo no País, provem a impossibilidade de obter outro documento de viagem.

#

3. The issue of a laissez-passer for the sole purpose of allowing exit from the country is the responsibility of the board of directors of AIMA, which may delegate this power.

3 - A emissão de salvo-conduto com a finalidade exclusiva de permitir a saída do País é da competência do conselho diretivo da AIMA, I. P., com faculdade de delegação.

#

4. The issue of a laissez-passer for the sole purpose of allowing entry into the country is the responsibility of Portuguese embassies and consular posts, subject to a favourable opinion from AIMA.

4 - A emissão de salvo-conduto com a finalidade exclusiva de permitir a entrada no País é da competência das embaixadas e dos postos consulares portugueses, mediante parecer favorável da AIMA, I. P.

#

5. In the context of the opinion provided for in the preceding paragraph, whenever it considers this necessary and justified, AIMA requests and obtains information from the UCFE in order to verify that there are no reasons of internal security or of preventing aiding illegal immigration and related crime that preclude the issue of the laissez-passer.

5 - No âmbito do parecer previsto no número anterior, sempre que entender necessário e justificado, a AIMA, I. P., solicita e obtém da UCFE informação para efeitos de verificação da inexistência de razões de segurança interna ou de prevenção de auxílio à imigração ilegal e criminalidade conexa, que não admitam a emissão do salvo-conduto.

#

6. The laissez-passer may not be granted where the UCFE information referred to in the preceding paragraph concludes that there are reasons of internal security or of preventing aiding illegal immigration and related crime that advise against it.

6 - O salvo-conduto não pode ser concedido sempre que a informação da UCFE referida no número anterior conclua pela existência de razões de segurança interna ou de prevenção de auxílio à imigração ilegal e criminalidade conexa que o desaconselhem.

#

7. The form of the laissez-passer is approved by order (portaria) of the member of the Government responsible for migration.

7 - O modelo de salvo-conduto é aprovado por portaria do membro do Governo responsável pela área das migrações.

What we checked in this article

Check the two grounds for issue to non-residents, that AIMA’s board (exit) and embassies/consular posts with AIMA’s favourable opinion (entry) are competent, the UCFE information request, and the mandatory refusal where the UCFE finds security or illegal-immigration grounds.

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 26 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