Foreigners wishing to start a professional activity in Portugal have easier conditions to acquire a residence permit with the new Portuguese legislation enacted yesterday.

Those who do not have a valid residence visa may:

• apply for a residence permit, through the SEF website or before a SEF regional delegation; and
• apply for a residence permit only with a promised employment agreement.

Also, expelling undocumented foreigners already living in Portugal with minor children and with effective parental responsibilities (e.g. providing them support and education), even if the minors are third-country nationals, is no longer possible.