Chapter IV · Visas · Section II · Visas granted at border crossing points

Article 68 Special visa

Artigo 68.º · Visto especial

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. For humanitarian reasons or reasons of national interest, recognised by order (despacho) of the Minister for Internal Administration, a special visa for entry into and temporary stay in the country may be granted to foreign nationals who do not meet the legal requirements for that purpose.

1 - Por razões humanitárias ou de interesse nacional, reconhecidas por despacho do Ministro da Administração Interna, pode ser concedido um visto especial para entrada e permanência temporária no País a cidadãos estrangeiros que não reúnam os requisitos legais exigíveis para o efeito.

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2. The visa referred to in the previous paragraph is valid only for Portuguese territory.

2 - O visto referido no número anterior é válido apenas para o território português.

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3. The power provided for in paragraph 1 may be delegated to the General Commander of the National Republican Guard (GNR) or to the National Director of the Public Security Police (PSP), with the power to subdelegate.

3 - A competência prevista no n.º 1 pode ser delegada no comandante-geral da GNR ou no diretor nacional da PSP, com faculdade de subdelegação.

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4. If the person admitted under the conditions referred to in the previous paragraphs is listed in the Schengen Information System (SIS), their admission shall be communicated to the competent authorities of the other States Parties to the Implementing Convention.

4 - Se a pessoa admitida nas condições referidas nos números anteriores constar do Sistema de Informação Schengen, a respectiva admissão é comunicada às autoridades competentes dos outros Estados Partes na Convenção de Aplicação.

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5. Where the foreign national holds a diplomatic, service, official or special passport, or a travel document issued by an international organisation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be consulted whenever possible.

5 - Quando o cidadão estrangeiro seja titular de um passaporte diplomático, de serviço, oficial ou especial, ou ainda de um documento de viagem emitido por uma organização internacional, é consultado, sempre que possível, o Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros.

What we checked in this article

Check who decides (Minister for Internal Administration, delegable to the GNR and PSP with subdelegation), the territorial limitation in paragraph 2 and the duties in paragraphs 4 and 5.

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 68 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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