Extension of validity of documents

On December 30, 2022, Decree-Law n.90/2022 was published in the Official Gazette, which seeks to ensure the continuity of the exceptional regime established in Decree-Law n. º 10-A/2020, of 13 March, in its current wording, with regard to the acceptance of expired documents relating to the stay in national territory.

According to the aforementioned Decrees, these measures were implemented because the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on customer service and processing times, “which resulted in an increase in pending issues regarding the granting and renewal of residence permits”. The recent document guarantees the validity of this regime until the end of 2023, in order to also safeguard the restructuring of the Aliens and Borders Service, approved by Law n. º 73/2021, of 12 November, in its current wording.

Therefore, the Government decrees that:

– Documents and visas relating to stay in national territory, whose validity expires from the date of entry into force of this decree-law or in the immediately preceding 15 days, are accepted, under the same terms, until December 31, 2023.

– The documents referred to in the previous number continue to be accepted, under the same terms, after December 31, 2023, provided that the holder proves that he has already scheduled the respective renewal.

– The exceptional regime does not apply to documents relating to stay in national territory issued under the Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 29-A/2022, of March 1, in its current wording, which establishes the specific criteria for the grant of temporary protection to refugees from Ukraine.

This decree-law also establishes a transitional regime for the recognition of parking cards for people with disabilities conditioned on their mobility, issued by the United Kingdom. Applies to residents in Portugal who hold valid driving licenses issued by the United Kingdom and holders of parking cards for people with disabilities with limited mobility, issued by the United Kingdom. The regime thus establishes that:

– Parking cards for people with disabilities, issued by UK authorities, are recognized in Portugal.

– The regime established in Decree-Law no. 307/2003, of December 10, in its current wording, applies to use, inspection and seizure.

– In the event of reasonable doubts as to the authenticity of the parking cards, it is up to the Institute of Mobility and Transport to verify the respective authenticity with the correspondent issuing entities.

This decree-law takes effect from January 1, 2023.