Chapter II · Entry into and exit from national territory · Section VII · Refusal of entry and stay · Subsection IV · Screening

Article 40-I Rights and duties during the screening procedure

Artigo 40.º-I · Direitos e deveres durante o processo de triagem

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 screening procedure is conducted by the competent national authorities and is notified to the judge of the minor criminal jurisdiction division (juízo de pequena instância criminal) in its area of jurisdiction, or to the judge of the district court (tribunal de comarca) in the other areas of the country.

1 - O procedimento de triagem é promovido pelas autoridades nacionais competentes, sendo comunicado ao juiz do juízo de pequena instância criminal, na respetiva área de jurisdição, ou do tribunal de comarca, nas restantes áreas do País.

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2. The competent authorities carrying out the screening provide the third-country national with appropriate information on the rights and duties conferred on them.

2 - As autoridades competentes que procederem à triagem prestam informações adequadas ao nacional de país terceiro sobre os direitos e deveres que lhe são conferidos.

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3. Screening is carried out at an appropriate location and must be completed, save in duly justified exceptional circumstances, within the following maximum time limits:

3 - A triagem é efetuada em local adequado, devendo ser concluída, salvo circunstâncias excecionais devidamente justificadas, nos seguintes prazos máximos:

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a) Seven days, where carried out at the external border;

a) Sete dias, quando realizada na fronteira externa;

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b) Three days, where carried out in national territory.

b) Três dias, quando realizada em território nacional.

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4. During screening, the third-country national remains at the disposal of the competent authorities and has a duty to:

4 - Durante a triagem, o nacional de país terceiro permanece à disposição das autoridades competentes, com dever de:

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a) State their name, date of birth, sex and nationality, and provide documents and information, if available, evidencing those details;

a) Indicar o seu nome, data de nascimento, sexo e nacionalidade, assim como fornecer documentos e informações, se disponíveis, que comprovem esses dados;

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b) Allow their biometric data to be collected.

b) Permitir a recolha de dados biométricos.

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5. Remaining at the disposal of the authorities during the screening procedure does not, as a rule, constitute a detention measure, without prejudice to the application of the coercive measures provided for by law where they prove necessary.

5 - A permanência à disposição das autoridades durante o procedimento de triagem não constitui, em regra, medida de detenção, sem prejuízo da aplicação das medidas de coação previstas na lei, quando se mostrem necessárias.

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6. The conclusion of screening does not constitute a decision on the right of entry or stay and serves solely to determine the subsequent legal procedure, which must be notified in writing, stating its effects and the available means of appeal under the applicable legislation, depending on the decision taken.

6 - A conclusão da triagem não constitui decisão sobre o direito de entrada ou permanência, servindo exclusivamente para determinar o procedimento legal subsequente, o qual deve ser comunicado por escrito com indicação dos seus efeitos e das vias de recurso, nos termos da legislação aplicável, consoante a decisão adotada.

What we checked in this article

Check the court to which screening is notified, the maximum time limits of seven and three days and the exception for justified circumstances, the duties in paragraph 4, and that paragraph 5 says screening is not, as a rule, detention.

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 40-I 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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