New EU Rules: Single Permit for Non-EU Workers in Portugal from 2026

Starting from mid-2026, non-EU workers legally living in Portugal (and other EU countries, except Denmark and Ireland) will apply just once for a single permit that covers both their right to work and to reside.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/PT/legal-content/summary/non-eu-workers-a-single-permit-for-residence-and-work-in-the-eu-2026.html

EU Single Permit Directive and Its Benefits for Non-EU Workers in Portugal

The EU’s new Single Permit Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1233) combines work and residence permits into one streamlined process. Starting from mid-2026, non-EU workers legally living in Portugal (and other EU countries, except Denmark and Ireland) will apply just once for a single permit that covers both their right to work and to reside.

This change is meant to cut red tape and ensure fair treatment: applicants no longer juggle separate visa and work permit procedures, and if eligible, they will enjoy many of the same rights as Portuguese citizens in the workplace

The Directive applies to non-EU nationals coming to Portugal to work or those already here with a valid residence permit that allows work. It does not apply to EU citizens’ family members, seasonal workers, refugees, or others covered by special rules.

In short, if you are a migrant worker or foreign employee in Portugal, this new law is for you.

Simplified Application Process

Under the new rules, Portugal (like all Member States) must appoint a single competent authority to handle single-permit applications and decide them within 90 days (with a possible 30-day extension for complex cases). The permit will use the standardized EU format for residence/work cards eur-lex.europa.eu.

Key simplifications include:

• One application, one decision: You or your employer (as Portugal decides) submit a single form that covers both residency and employment authorization eur-lex.europa.eu. There’s no longer a separate work visa and residence visa process – it’s all in one.

• Faster processing: Authorities must act on the complete application within 90 days, instead of the longer waits of older systems. This means you won’t be left in limbo for months.

• Apply from inside Portugal: If you already hold a valid Portuguese residence permit, you can apply for the new single permit directly from Portugal rather than returning to your home country.

• Fair fees and transparency: The government cannot charge excessive fees for permit applications. If an application is refused, they must give a written explanation and tell you where to appeal

• Information duty: Portuguese authorities must provide clear, up-to-date information to you and your employer about the application steps, conditions, and your rights and obligations.

Overall, the single permit process is designed to be one-stop and straightforward. For example, under the previous system, some workers had to apply separately for a visa at a consulate and then a work permit after arrival. The new Directive eliminates that duplication and builds in clear timelines.

Rights and Equal Treatment

Having the single permit also comes with a common set of rights. In practice, this means a foreign worker in Portugal should enjoy many of the same basic working rights as a Portuguese national. Important rights guaranteed include:

• Freedom of movement within Portugal: You may enter, live in, and travel freely throughout Portugal while the permit is valid

• Right to work: You can carry out the job specified on your permit

  
  

• (Portugal will list the type of work on the card, similar to current practice.)

• Be informed of your rights: Authorities must inform you about your rights under the permit, so you know what protections and services you can access.

• Change of employer: You have the right to change jobs without losing your status, subject to certain conditions. This was a big improvement in the recast Directive: if you want to take a better offer or your employer’s contract ends, you don’t have to start from zero.

• Unemployment safety net: If you lose your job, you are allowed to stay in Portugal for a set period while you find a new one. Specifically, single-permit holders can remain unemployed in Portugal for at least 3 months if they have held the permit less than 2 years, or 6 months if more than 2 years (This gives you time to search for another job without immediately losing the right to reside.)

• Permit renewal protection: You may stay in Portugal during the renewal process, even if your current permit is expiring.

Beyond these specifics, the Directive enshrines equal treatment in the workplace. This means that with a valid single permit, you should have at least the same conditions as Portuguese workers in many core areas:

• Working conditions and pay: Equal pay, working hours, overtime rules, leave (vacation, sick leave, parental leave), and health/safety protections. For example, if Portuguese coworkers enjoy a minimum wage or certain leave entitlements, you do too.

• Social and economic rights: Access to certain social security benefits (e.g., unemployment benefits, healthcare contributions) and tax benefits on similar terms as locals.

• Education and training: The right to education and vocational training programs, so you can improve your skills or have foreign qualifications recognized, like Portuguese citizens.

• Union membership and collective action: The right to join labor unions and take part in lawful strikes or collective bargaining under the same rules as nationals.

• Access to services: Equal access to public services and housing. In other words, you should generally be able to rent or buy housing, and use employment advisory and other public services, on the same basis as Portuguese people.

These protections are designed to improve your working and living conditions. By guaranteeing equal treatment in pay, training, and social security, the Directive helps ensure you are not exploited and can fully participate in Portuguese society.

Protections Against Exploitation

The Directive also builds in enforcement measures so those rights are real. In Portugal, as in other Member States, authorities will be required to actively monitor and prevent abuse.

For example:

• Inspections and penalties: Labour inspectors must be empowered to check workplaces for illegal practices and punish employers who violate workers’ rights

• Complaints and legal help: The system must make it easy for foreign workers to report abuse. You can lodge complaints against an employer directly or through a third party (like a union) if your rights under the permit are broken.

• Transparency: The government will publicize the rules and your rights clearly. Updated information on how to get and renew the single permit – and what rights come with it – must be easily accessible, so you know exactly what protections you have.

In practice, this means that if an employer tries to underpay you or force you to work illegal overtime, you have legal channels and inspections backing you up. These safeguards are part of the Directive’s goal to ensure non-EU workers are treated fairly.

Benefits for Your Work and Life in Portugal

For a non-EU worker or immigrant in Portugal, the Single Permit Directive brings several concrete advantages:

• Less red tape: One streamlined application replaces multiple visas. This saves time, paperwork, and stress.

• Predictable timeline: Knowing there’s a 90-day decision period reduces uncertainty. You’ll have your answer and know your status sooner.

• Flexibility: You can change jobs and even take training courses or attend school without worrying about losing your permit. If a job ends, you have months to find another one without having to leave Portugal

• Fair pay and conditions: Being covered by equal-treatment rules means your wages and rights on the job can’t be worse than those of a Portuguese person in a similar role. This helps protect against exploitation and unfair treatment.

• Better living conditions: Equal access to social security, tax benefits, and housing helps stabilize your life outside work. For instance, if public housing or rent-support schemes are available to citizens, you won’t be excluded solely for being a foreign worker.

• Security of status: If you need to renew your permit, or if your job changes, the rules ensure you can stay and sort it out without a gap in legal status

All together, these changes should make working and living in Portugal as a foreign national smoother and more secure. They also bring Portugal in line with EU-wide standards for migrant workers, so conditions are similar across most Member States.

What This Means in Portugal

Portugal has already had a “single permit” concept in its immigration law (known locally as autorização de residência para exercício de atividade profissional) since the old EU rules were adopted. For example, under current Portuguese law, a temporary work/residence permit is typically issued for two years and renewable thereafter. The new Directive will update and harmonize Portugal’s rules with all EU countries:

• By May 2026, Portugal must change its laws to match the Directive. After that date, all new work permit applications and renewals will use the single-permit system.

• Portuguese authorities (the Immigration and Borders Service, currently AIMA/SEF) will incorporate the Directive’s requirements, such as the 90-day decision rule and providing information on rights.

• As of now, Portugal may choose whether the worker or the employer (or either) submits the permit application. This flexibility allows for Portuguese practice to continue (currently, both options exist).

• Crucially, Portugal will fully apply the enhanced rights. This means foreign workers in Portugal will gain the explicit right to change employers under conditions and the unemployment grace periods mentioned above – even if those specifics weren’t explicitly written in older national law.

In summary, the Single Permit Directive builds on Portugal’s existing work-permit framework and takes it further. It aligns Portuguese practice with EU standards and ensures that migrant workers in Portugal benefit from the same labor protections as citizens.

Timeline and Next Steps

The Directive repeals the old single-permit rules (Directive 2011/98/EU) as of 22 May 2026. Between now and then, Portugal will work on implementing it. If you are already in Portugal with a residence/work permit, nothing changes immediately – you keep your current permit and rights for now.

But once the new rules kick in, future renewals or new applications will follow the updated procedure.

In practice, keep an eye on announcements from Portuguese immigration authorities. They will likely update application forms and guidance in 2025–2026. Meanwhile, the substance is clear: from mid-2026, you should enjoy a faster, simpler permit process and stronger protections on the job in Portugal

Conclusion

The revamped EU Single Permit system aims to make life easier and fairer for non-EU workers in Portugal. By creating one unified permit and guaranteeing equal treatment, it cuts red tape and improves working conditions.

If you’re a non-EU national living or planning to live in Portugal for work, this means simpler applications, more certainty, and better legal rights, from safer workplaces to the freedom to switch jobs or access education and housing like any Portuguese citizen.

Stay informed about the changes coming in 2026 and look forward to a system designed to support you in working and living well in Portugal.