The firm's main practice area
Immigration and Nationality
This is the core of our work. We assist foreign nationals at every stage of the immigration process in Portugal, from the first residence permit application before AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo: Portugal's agency for integration, migration and asylum) through to the Portuguese nationality application, with documents checked in advance, deadlines kept under control and every notification answered.
01Phase 01Residence permits – AIMA
First applications, renewals and representation at appointments.
Residence permit application
Preparation and filing of the initial application, with all required documents checked beforehand.
Residence permit renewal
Timely renewal of the residence permit and replies to requests for additional documents.
In-person assistance by a lawyer at AIMA
Attendance and representation at appointments and procedural steps before AIMA.
02Phase 02Regularisation in Portugal
The legal grounds available for regularising your documentation status.
Article 91
Higher education students: residence permit for those enrolled on a course in Portugal.
Article 92
Employed or self-employed work: regularisation based on an employment contract or on self-employed activity.
Article 98
Family reunification: bringing the family together with a residence permit holder in Portugal.
Article 122(g)
People who require medical treatment in Portugal.
Article 122(k)
Parents of a Portuguese child.
Other legal grounds
Other grounds for regularisation provided for under Portuguese law, assessed case by case.
03Phase 03AIMA notifications, complaints and appeals
Defending your rights when a case stalls or is refused.
Replies to AIMA notifications
Review of the notification and a reasoned reply within the legal deadline.
Appeal against a draft refusal
Submissions at the prior hearing stage, with supporting evidence, before the final decision.
Appeal against a final refusal
Challenging the final decision through administrative or judicial channels.
Administrative complaints
Filing complaints and requests for review with the competent authorities.
04Phase 04Residence visas D1 to D8
Applied for at the consulate in the country of residence, before travelling to Portugal. Each type has its own code and its own requirements.
D1Employed work
For applicants holding an employment contract, or a promise of one, with an employer in Portugal.
D2Self-employment and entrepreneurs
Independent service providers and entrepreneurs setting up a company or project in Portugal, startups included.
D3Teaching and highly qualified activity
Teachers, researchers and highly qualified professionals, including the EU Blue Card, and culturally qualified activity.
D4Study, internship and volunteering
Research, attending a course, school exchange, unpaid internships and voluntary work.
D5Higher education student mobility
For those already studying in another EU Member State who come to continue or complete their studies in Portugal.
D6Family reunification
Family members of a residence permit holder in Portugal, joining them in the country.
D7Retirees, own income and religious purposes
Holders of a pension or of regular income not dependent on work in Portugal, and ministers of religion.
D8Digital nomad and remote work
For those working remotely for employers or clients outside Portugal who wish to reside in the country on that income.
05Phase 05Portuguese Nationality
Assessing the route best suited to your situation and preparing the application.
Children of Portuguese citizens
Attribution or acquisition of nationality by descent, including children born abroad.
Spouses and de facto partners
Acquisition of nationality through marriage or a de facto union with a Portuguese citizen.
Grandchildren of Portuguese citizens
Acquisition of nationality by grandchildren of Portuguese citizens, subject to the legal requirements.
Foreign nationals resident in Portugal
Naturalisation for those legally resident in Portugal for the period required by law.
Other applications under the Nationality Act
Assessment of other routes to attribution or acquisition under the Portuguese Nationality Act.
Get in touch
Tell us about your situation and we will explain the next steps. We reply in Portuguese, French or English.
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