Law No. 62/2026 of 10 September introduced amendments to Law No. 23/2007 of 4 July, as part of the implementation and transposition of European Union legislative instruments, with the aim of simplifying regularisation procedures for third-country national workers and strengthening employer accountability.
The main amendments introduced by this legislation are as follows:
1. New deadlines for decisions on residence permit applications
Applications for residence permits are now subject to a 90-day decision deadline, which may be extended by a further 30 days in exceptional, duly justified circumstances. Applicants must be informed of any such extension.
In the event of refusal, the decision must specify the grounds for refusal, as well as the available means and applicable deadlines for judicial appeal.
2. Submission of applications by employers
Residence permit applications may be submitted by the worker, their representative or their employer to the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA, I.P.), thereby strengthening the involvement of companies in the regularisation procedures of their employees.
3. Changes in employment status without the issuance of a new residence permit
Holders of residence permits for employed activity may change employers by notifying AIMA, without the need for a new residence permit to be issued.
Self-employed workers may likewise change the nature of their professional activity under the same conditions.
4. New sanctions relating to the recruitment of seasonal workers
Failure to comply with legal obligations concerning the recruitment of third-country national seasonal workers may now result in a ban on hiring workers in this category, thereby strengthening the protection afforded to these workers and reinforcing the compliance requirements imposed on employers.
5. Implications for employers
Companies should review their recruitment and regularisation procedures for foreign workers to ensure compliance with the applicable legal obligations, particularly regarding the recruitment of seasonal workers.
Law No. 62/2026 entered into force on 11 September 2026.
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