Portugal Ends Job Seeker Visa, Plans New Skilled-Only Option

Portugal, once a place for foreign job seekers, has officially cancelled its popular job seeker visa. The decision leaves thousands of applicants in limbo. The change took effect on October 23, 2025, after the introduction of Law No. 61/2025, which completely revamps the country’s immigration system.

The Old Visa: Gone Overnight

Until now, the job seeker visa has allowed anyone with enough savings of around €2,460 to enter Portugal for up to 120 days and look for work. It was renewable for 60 more days and even allowed travel across the Schengen Area. That flexibility made Portugal a favourite gateway for job hunters hoping to settle in Europe.

But that job seeker visa no longer exists. The government has cancelled all pending and upcoming appointments, including those booked through:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that all applications scheduled after October 23 have been automatically voided.

New Highly Skilled Work-Seeking Visa

In place of the old job seeker visa, Portugal is now launching a new “Highly Skilled Work-Seeking Visa.” It’s meant for professionals with specialised technical expertise. The idea is to attract qualified workers rather than general job seekers.

But here’s the catch: the visa can’t yet be issued.

The government still needs to publish detailed regulations defining what counts as “specialised competencies” and how applications will be processed. Until that happens, no one can apply. As of late October, there’s no timeline for when these rules will be ready.

What Changes for Job Seekers

The new visa keeps the same 120-day validity period but comes with tighter restrictions:

• Portugal-only validity: Holders can’t travel across the Schengen zone.
• Qualification requirement: Only for candidates with “specialised technical skills.”
• Stricter reapplication rule: If applicants do not secure a job within 120 days, they must leave Portugal and wait one year before applying again.

This change effectively excludes lower-skilled workers who previously depended on the job seeker visa to find work in sectors like hospitality, agriculture, and construction.

Why It Matters

The decision has caused frustration among employers who are already dealing with labour shortages. Portugal has about 58,000 job openings, particularly in tourism and construction. Industry leaders warn that limiting entry to only highly skilled workers may make the labour gap worse.

What Applicants Can Do Now

If you had an appointment, it was automatically cancelled; you did not need to take any action. Keep checking official sources, such as the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or AIMA, for updates on when applications for the new skilled work visa will be accepted.

Refunds for cancelled appointments are doubtful because visa payments in Portugal are normally non-refundable, even in rare events such as this government-led cancellation.

Final Thoughts

Portugal’s immigration shift marks a clear move toward prioritising high-skilled migration. While the new visa could eventually simplify entry for qualified professionals, the lack of regulations has created a temporary vacuum. For now, would-be applicants are stuck waiting, and Portugal’s labour market may start to feel the strain.

Official sources: