Chapter VI · Residence in national territory · Section I · General provisions

Article 83 Rights of residence permit holders

Artigo 83.º · Direitos do titular de autorização de residência

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. Without prejudice to the application of special provisions and of other rights provided for by law or by an international convention to which Portugal is a Party, the holder of a residence permit is entitled, without the need for any special authorisation relating to their status as a foreign national, in particular:

1 - Sem prejuízo de aplicação de disposições especiais e de outros direitos previstos na lei ou em convenção internacional de que Portugal seja Parte, o titular de autorização de residência tem direito, sem necessidade de autorização especial relativa à sua condição de estrangeiro, designadamente:

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a) To education, schooling and vocational training, including grants and study scholarships in accordance with the applicable legislation;

a) À educação, ensino e formação profissional, incluindo subsídios e bolsas de estudo em conformidade com a legislação aplicável;

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b) To engage in an employed professional activity;

b) Ao exercício de uma actividade profissional subordinada;

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c) To engage in a self-employed professional activity;

c) Ao exercício de uma actividade profissional independente;

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d) To vocational guidance, training, further training and retraining;

d) À orientação, à formação, ao aperfeiçoamento e à reciclagem profissionais;

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e) To access to healthcare;

e) Ao acesso à saúde;

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f) To access to law and to the courts.

f) Ao acesso ao direito e aos tribunais.

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2. The application of provisions ensuring equal treatment of foreign nationals is guaranteed, in particular as regards social security, tax benefits, trade union membership, recognition of diplomas, certificates and other professional qualifications, or access to goods and services available to the public, as is the application of provisions granting them special rights.

2 - É garantida a aplicação das disposições que assegurem a igualdade de tratamento dos cidadãos estrangeiros, nomeadamente em matéria de segurança social, de benefícios fiscais, de filiação sindical, de reconhecimento de diplomas, certificados e outros títulos profissionais ou de acesso a bens e serviços à disposição do público, bem como a aplicação de disposições que lhes concedam direitos especiais.

What we checked in this article

Check the list of rights in paragraph 1(a) to (f), which apply without any special authorisation, and the equal-treatment areas listed in paragraph 2.

Moving to Portugal, or bringing a team or family? Article 83 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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