I am a resident of Spain under a digital nomad visa (until Nov 2026); I have a job offer to work in Portugal, already got my NIF and NISS, and applied for a D3 visa, but this can take up to 60 days or more to be issued. As I need to start working by April 15, 2024, can I apply for Manifestacao de Interesse and start working? I am legally in the Schengen zone.
According to the European Law, it is not possible to accumulate European temporary residence permits. Notwithstanding, manifestation of Interest in Portugal is a process that, due to the backlog, currently can take up to 2 years. Even so, the notification regarding a potential accumulation of permits is only done in the final stage of the process, which, from the Portuguese side, will allow the applicant to use any other EU permit while waiting to be granted the Portuguese one.
The expression of interest (manifestação de interesse) is an exception to the general rule foreseen in the law to apply for a residency permit to work or self-employment. Under the general terms of the law, for a foreign citizen to apply for residency permit to work in Portugal, he needs to apply for a residency visa at the Portuguese embassy of his country of origin or residency. However, if a foreign citizen travels and enters Portugal under a tourist visa or residency permit status and finds a job during his visit to the country, he may apply for a residency permit to work or self-employment through the application and deposit of expression of interest (manifestação de interesse) online to AIMA – Immigration Boarders office. From that expression of interest (manifestação de interesse) and until the moment that is accepted by AIMA, the applicant will not be in a complete legal situation/status, but under a “regular” situation/status, because it will be waiting for a decision from the immigration authority. In this case, the applicant will be able to stay and work in Portugal, but not travel to other Schengen countries until the application for a residency permit is approved.
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