Title I · Entry into and exit from national territory

Article 8 Entry and exit of minors

Artigo 8.º · Entrada e saída de menores

Decreto Regulamentar n.º 84/2007, de 5 de novembro · regulation of Law No. 23/2007 · consolidated text, as amended by Regulatory Decree No. 1/2024, checked 26 October 2026

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1. Entry into the country of foreign minors unaccompanied by the person exercising parental responsibilities shall be authorised only where a Portuguese citizen or a foreign national lawfully staying in Portugal takes responsibility for their stay, after confirmation that a valid and appropriate authorisation issued by their legal representative exists and after assessment of all other relevant elements.

1 - A entrada no país de menores estrangeiros desacompanhados de quem exerce as responsabilidades parentais apenas deve ser autorizada quando exista cidadão português ou cidadão estrangeiro que permaneça regularmente em Portugal que se responsabilize pela sua estada, após confirmação de existência de autorização válida adequada emitida pelo respetivo representante legal e avaliação de todos os demais elementos pertinentes.

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2. In the event of refusal of entry and return of the unaccompanied minor, the carrier shall ensure that the minor is handed over, in the country of origin or at the point where the journey began, to the person exercising parental responsibilities or to a person or organisation to whom the minor may be entrusted, in compliance with the principle of non-refoulement.

2 - No caso de recusa de entrada e de regresso do menor desacompanhado, a companhia transportadora deve assegurar que o menor é entregue no país de origem ou no ponto onde iniciou a sua viagem a quem exerce as responsabilidades parentais ou a pessoa ou organização a quem o mesmo possa ser confiado, em observância do princípio da não repulsão.

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3. Minors who are nationals or foreign nationals resident in the country and who wish to leave through an external border unaccompanied by the person exercising parental responsibilities shall present an authorisation signed by one of the parents or by the person responsible for the minor in the case concerned, certified in any of the forms provided for by law.

3 - Os menores nacionais ou estrangeiros residentes no país que desejem sair por uma fronteira externa desacompanhados de quem exerce as responsabilidades parentais devem apresentar autorização subscrita por um dos progenitores ou por quem, no caso, seja responsável pelo mesmo, certificada por qualquer das formas legalmente previstas.

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4. Whenever there are doubts concerning the minor’s situation, the competent security force carries out all steps necessary to identify the minor, with a view to ensuring their protection and appropriate referral.

4 - Sempre que existam dúvidas relativamente à situação do menor, a força de segurança competente realiza todas as diligências necessárias à sua identificação, com vista a garantir a sua proteção e adequado encaminhamento.

What we checked in this article

Check the conditions for entry of unaccompanied foreign minors (responsible person plus valid authorisation from the legal representative), the carrier’s duty on refusal of entry and the exit authorisation and certification requirement in paragraph 3.

Preparing a visa or residence application? Article 8 lists what the authorities will check.

We prepare the company side of the file (employment contracts, payroll, tax and social security registrations, proof of activity) and coordinate with immigration lawyers on the application. 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

Visa and residence files, with the company side in order

Most refusals come from a missing document or an inconsistency between the contract, the payroll and the tax records. Tell us the route you are applying for, and we will check the company documents the Regulation requires.

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