Right of residence for third-country nationals

Many foreigners residing in Portugal have recently raised questions about the validity of their residence permits. The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has now issued an official clarification confirming how long the right of residence remains valid after the expiry of the residence card.

AIMA clarified that the right of residence of foreign citizens remains valid up to six months after the expiry date of their residence permit card, under the terms of paragraph 14 of article 63 of Regulatory Decree no. 84/2007.

Third-country nationals who have not yet submitted their application for renewal of residence will only be considered to be in an irregular situation under the following conditions:

• Six months from 15 October 2025, for residence cards expired until 30 June 2025, with the right of residence remaining until 15 April 2026;
  
  
• Six months from the date of expiry of the card, for residence cards expiring after 30 June 2025.
  
  

Foreign citizens who have already submitted their renewal application to AIMA must be in possession of an expired residence card and proof of presentation. These documents together remain valid while the renewal process is ongoing.

Source: AIMA