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Portugal Simplifies Hiring Foreign Workers: Work Visa Reform Under Law 18/2022
Law 18/2022 abolished Portugal's annual quota system for foreign workers and streamlined hiring processes, creating faster pathways to legal employment for non-EU nationals.
On 25 August 2022, Law no. 18/2022 entered into force, introducing transformational changes to Portugal’s work visa system. Among its most significant measures was the abolition of the annual quota system for foreign workers, which had previously restricted the number of non-EU nationals eligible for work-based residence permits.
The reform streamlined the process for Portuguese companies to hire foreign nationals, reducing bureaucratic delays and eliminating the requirement for certain labour market tests. It also clarified documentation requirements for employment contracts and social security registration.
For foreign workers—particularly Brazilians, Americans, British, Canadians and Israelis—this reform creates a smoother, faster path to legal employment in Portugal. Employers can now recruit globally with fewer procedural obstacles, which is particularly beneficial in high-demand sectors such as technology, healthcare, hospitality and engineering.
This change forms part of Portugal’s broader strategy to address labour shortages and promote economic growth through skilled migration.
Official source: Diário da República, Law no. 18/2022, 25 August 2022 (https://dre.pt)