TL;DR

The Manifestação de Interesse (Expression of Interest) system in Portugal is no longer in use. Law No. 61/2025, which was published on October 22, 2025, ended the system that used to let non-EU nationals already in Portugal get their status straightened out without a visa.

The Critical December 31, 2025 Deadline Has Passed

Portugal immigration law 61/2025 set a hard deadline: all pending applications for Portugal residence permit under the old Expression of Interest regime had to be filed by December 31, 2025, "under penalty of forfeiture". This transitional provision gave applicants who were affected a short amount of time to finish their submissions before the path closed for good.

DEADLINE PASSED: Those who didn't finish their residence applications by the December 31 cutoff have lost their right to regularization under the old system.

What Changed Under Portugal Immigration Law 61/2025?

Some of the most important changes are:

Key Changes

• The rule that let people from other countries who were already in Portugal apply for residence permits without a visa was permanently removed

• After getting a residence permit, there is now a two-year wait for family reunification, except for minor children, dependents, and highly skilled workers

• People who already have a Portugal residence permit have 180 days (until about April 21, 2026) to change their permits to other types, like highly qualified or cultural activity visas

• Family members who are already in Portugal and entered legally can also apply for residence permits during this 180-day period

• The government said that administrative strain and big backlogs were reasons for ending the program

What Replaces the Expression of Interest in Portugal?

The Foreigners' Law's Article 57-A made it possible for Portugal to create a new Skilled Job Seeker Visa. But you can't apply for this Portugal work visa yet. Before consulates can start accepting submissions, officials need to make more rules.

The new visa is for highly qualified professionals with specialized technical skills. It lets them stay for 120 days, with the option to extend for another 60 days. Candidates must apply from outside of Portugal through consulates in their home countries, which is different from the EOI.

FAQs

Can I still submit an Expression of Interest application in 2026?

No. The Portugal Expression of Interest mechanism is no longer available because the deadline of December 31, 2025, has passed. All applications in this system must have been completed before the cutoff date.

What happens if I missed the Portugal EOI deadline?

If you don't file your application by the deadline, you will lose it. If you missed this deadline and were counting on the EOI pathway, you will need to look into other Portugal visa options like the Tech Visa Program, the Highly Qualified Activity Visa, or the EU Blue Card.

I'm already in Portugal without valid status. What are my immigration options?

People in Portugal who don't have the right paperwork can't get their status back to normal through the old system without the EOI mechanism. Immigration lawyers say that you should talk to professional advisors right away to look into your other options. The government has said that it will start to support employer-sponsored Portugal immigration pathways.

When will the new Portugal Skilled Job Seeker Visa be available?

The Portugal Job Seeker Visa 2026 is waiting for the last rules to be put into place. People who want to apply should keep an eye on the Portuguese consulates and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for news about who can apply and how to do so.

Does Law 61/2025 affect the D7 Visa or Golden Visa Portugal?

No. The D7 Visa Portugal for people with passive income and the Golden Visa Portugal for investors are still available. However, Portugal's proposed nationality law changes which would extend citizenship timelines to 7 years for EU and CPLP nationals and 10 years for others were partially struck down by the Constitutional Court on December 15, 2025. The current 5-year citizenship timeline remains in effect while Parliament revises the bill.

Can I still apply for Portugal family reunification in 2026?

Yes, but there are new rules. You need to have a valid residence permit for at least two years before you can apply for Portugal family reunification for family members who live abroad. Golden Visa holders, dependents, minor children, and highly qualified professionals (D3 visa holders) are some of the exceptions. Under the transitional provisions, family members who are already in Portugal and entered the country legally can still apply until about April 21, 2026.

Can companies still hire foreign workers for Portugal?

Yes, but now it's up to employers to take responsibility during the hiring process. Companies need to start sponsoring visas before candidates come to Portugal instead of waiting until they get there to do so.

Conclusion

The way people come to Portugal has changed a lot. The end of the Portugal Expression of Interest is a planned move toward structured, employer-led immigration that focuses on bringing in skilled workers. If you were affected by the December 31 deadline, you need to talk to immigration experts to find out what options are available under the new Portugal immigration law framework.

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