The Portuguese government plans to introduce short- and long-term remote work visas for qualifying foreign nationals to live and work remotely in the country.

Key Points:

  • The short-term remote work visa would allow foreign nationals to live and work remotely in Portugal for up to 12 months.
  • The long-term remote work visa would allow foreign nationals to live and work remotely in Portugal for more than 12 months.
  • Portuguese authorities have not published eligibility requirements or application instructions at this time.

BAL Analysis: The visas are designed to bring more foreign national “digital nomads” to the country to stimulate the economy, create jobs and help the country recover financially from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. BAL will provide more information once it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Portuguese government has lifted its COVID-19 entry requirements for all travelers.

Key Points:

  • As of July 1, those who are traveling to Portugal will no longer face COVID-19 entry restrictions.
  • Travelers are no longer required show a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, COVID-19 recovery certificate or negative COVID-19 test to enter the country.

BAL Analysis: While COVID-19 requirements no longer apply, the government could re-impose some restrictions in the future, depending on the virus situation in Portugal. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Portuguese government has lifted its COVID-19 entry requirements for all travelers.

Key Points:

  • As of July 1, those who are traveling to Portugal will no longer face COVID-19 entry requirements.
  • Travelers are no longer required show a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, COVID-19 recovery certificate or negative COVID-19 test to enter the country.

BAL Analysis: COVID-19 entry requirements no longer apply to those traveling to Portugal. While COVID-19 requirements no longer apply, the government could re-impose some restrictions in the future, depending on the virus situation in Portugal.  The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Portuguese government has eased its COVID-19 health and entry restrictions.

Key Points:

  • As of June 9, individuals can travel to Portugal regardless of their departure country.
  • To enter the country, travelers must have proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, recovery from COVID-19 in the past six months, a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure or a negative antigen test taken with 24 hours before departure.
  • Children under the age of 12 are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements.

Additional Information: More information regarding health requirements for individuals arriving at certain Portuguese airports is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Portuguese government announced that it would lift many COVID-19 restrictions on Oct. 1.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Oct. 1, officials will end the state of emergency and lift the majority of COVID-19-related restrictions; however, individuals still must:
    • Show digital vaccination certificates or negative COVID-19 tests to enter many public venues.
    • Adhere to applicable travel and entry restrictions found here.

Additional Information: Authorities decided to reduce restrictions now that 85% of Portugal’s population is fully vaccinated. More information on COVID-19 restrictions can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Portuguese government has permitted non-essential travel to and from Brazil, the U.S. and other areas deemed high risk.

Key Points:

  • As of Sept. 1, non-essential travel to and from Brazil, the U.S. and other high-risk areas is permitted.
    • Travelers must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours or 48 hours depending on the test type before departure to enter the country.
  • Travel continues to be permitted to and from the EU, Schengen Area and the U.K. as well as from Australia, Canada, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Korea, among others.
  • The mandatory 14-day quarantine remains in place for visitors arriving from India, Nepal and South Africa.

Additional Information: More information regarding entry and travel restrictions for Portugal can be found here.

BAL Analysis: At this time, Portugal has lifted many travel restrictions and will continue to reduce border measures as the virus situation improves. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Portugal’s monthly minimum wage for foreign workers is set to increase from €580 to €600 (about US$685). The minimum monthly wage for highly skilled workers, including EU Blue Card holders among others, will increase to €1,307.28.

What does the change mean? The new salary minimums will apply to all applications, including renewal applications, submitted on or after Jan. 1. It also applies to applications that were pending as of Jan. 1.

  • Implementation time frame: Jan. 1.
  • Who is affected: Portuguese companies employing foreign workers, foreign nationals working or residing in Portugal.
  • Business impact: Businesses may see an increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage.

Background: Portugal’s minimum salary requirement for foreign workers is adjusted annually. As of Jan. 1, employee salaries must be at least €600 per month, not including benefits. Highly skilled workers have separate salary requirements, which are calculated as three times the amount of the social support index, or IAS, value. As of Jan. 1, the IAS value will rise to €435.76, thereby raising the monthly minimum for highly skilled workers to €1,307.28. Employers are encouraged to pay highly skilled workers at least €1,500 per month, however. The same salary minimum is recommended for other specialized worker categories, including researches and investors.

Analysis and Comments: Employers should take the salary minimums and the recommended pay for highly skilled workers into account when budgeting for 2019.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

Portugal has implemented a number of immigration changes, including EU directives on intra-corporate transfers, students and researchers, and seasonal workers. The country also launched a new visa web portal to make it easier to book appointments.

Key information:

  • Portugal has implemented the EU’s intra-corporate transfer directive. This directive allows for non-EU/EEA managers, specialists or trainees transferred within the same corporate entity to apply for ICT permits that are valid for up to three years for managers and specialists and up to one year for trainees. Managers and specialists must have at least three to 12 months of consecutive experience in the sending company to qualify and trainees must have at least three to six months’ experience. Non-EU/EEA managers, specialists or trainees holding ICT cards issued by another EU country, meanwhile, may apply for Mobile ICT permits if they intend to work in Portugal for more than 90 days.
  • Portugal has implemented the EU’s students and researchers directive. The directive and its implementing regulations provide new processes for students and researchers. For example, students accepted at a Portuguese university are now exempt from having to provide proof of payment of tuition fees and evidence of means of subsistence. Residency permits for students can now be issued with a validity period of two years or the length of their university program (as opposed to the standard residence permit validity period of one year). Residency permits can also now be granted to paid trainees, whereas previously they were only available to unpaid trainees.
  • Portugal has implemented the EU’s directive on seasonal workers. Portugal will provide short-term and long-term visas for seasonal workers. The short-term visas valid for up to 90 days are available to workers in government-identified sectors where seasonal work is required. Temporary-stay visas valid for up to nine months will be issued to workers in sectors where the government has said longer term seasonal workers are needed.
  • Portugal has taken steps to simplify and streamline application processes. Officials launched a new online visa information portal that can be used for scheduling biometrics appointments and may eventually be used for submitting supporting documentation (the latter feature is not yet available). Additionally, university students from Portuguese-speaking countries may apply for visas online, without having to complete an interview. Additional information is available on this Immigration Service web page.

Analysis & Comments: The implementation of the directives will provide greater mobility and work opportunities for intra-corporate transferees, students, researchers and seasonal workers, while the moves to enhance digital applications procedures could lead to faster processing times and, in some cases, eased application requirements.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.

What is the change? Portugal will join Canada’s International Experience Canada Program through a bilateral arrangement that was signed Wednesday.

What does the change mean? Through the agreement, each year up to 2,000 Canadian nationals and up to 2,000 Portuguese nationals between the ages of 18 and 35 may work and travel in each other’s countries through the Working Holiday, International Co-op and Young Professionals streams of the IEC Program. Additional information on the IEC Program is available here for Canadians and here for nationals of countries participating in the program.

  • Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
  • Who is affected: Nationals of Canada and Portugal between the ages of 18 and 35.
  • Business impact: The addition of Portugal to the IEC Program may provide a new option for Canadian employers to hire eligible Portuguese nationals and for Portuguese employers to hire eligible Canadian nationals. Work permits issued through the IEC Program are valid for two years and do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

Background: The IEC Program is available to Canadian citizens who want to travel and work abroad and to foreign nationals who want to travel and work in Canada. Portugal joins 32 other countries and territories already participating in the program.

The IEC Program is divided into three streams:

  • Working Holiday. Allows for temporary work while on holiday or vacation internationally. Participants are eligible to apply for an open work permit that allows them to work for any employer to subsidize their stay as they travel.
  • International Co-op. Allows students who intend to complete an international work placement or internship to fulfill part of their academic curriculum. Participants in the internship category are eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit to help them gain targeted experience in their field of study.
  • Young Professionals. Allows those looking to gain international working experience to apply for an employer-specific work permit that will help them gain targeted experience in their profession or field of study.

BAL Analysis: While the IEC Program offers a limited number of work permits each year, expanding the program to include Portugal may provide a new avenue for Canadian and Portuguese employers seeking to hire young foreign nationals from each other’s country.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Canada. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2018 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Portugal’s monthly minimum wage for foreign workers has increased from €557 to €580 (about US$700).

What does the change mean? The new salary minimum will apply to all applications, including renewal applications, submitted on or after Jan. 1. It also applies to applications that were pending as of Jan. 1.

  • Implementation time frame: Jan. 1.
  • Visas/permits affected: All work permits and visas.
  • Who is affected: Portuguese companies employing foreign workers, foreign nationals working or residing in Portugal.
  • Business impact: Businesses may see an increase in labor costs because of the new wage minimum.

Background: Portugal’s minimum salary requirement for foreign workers is adjusted annually. Carmo Hatton, managing partner of ERES Relocation in Portugal, stated that as of Jan. 1 employee salaries must be at least €580 per month, not counting benefits.

BAL Analysis: The 2018 monthly minimum wage of €580 represents a 4-percent increase over last year’s level. Employers should take the new salary minimum into account when budgeting for 2018.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Portugal. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2018 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.