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Could a Traffic Misdemeanor keep my spouse from getting a D7 Visa in Portugal?

Fifteen years ago my husband got a boat/reckless operation conviction after a plea. He was 57 years old at the time and never had any type of criminal charges. He is now 72, and this is the only thing on his record.


Answers
  • April 19, 2025

    All residence visas/permits for Portugal are subject to the analysis of the criminal antecedents of the applicant. The permit shall be denied if the applicant has been convicted of a crime that, under Portuguese law, would be subject to a punishment with a prison sentence of more than one year, even if this has not been served or its execution has been suspended. A concrete answer would always depend on the content of the applicant's criminal record certificate and the analysis of an expungement proceeding of such charges.

  • Lamares, Capela & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados
    April 15, 2025

    Your spouse would only be excluded from obtaining a visa if he has been convicted of a crime that, in Portugal, is punishable by a custodial sentence of more than one year, even if this has not been served or its execution has been suspended. Therefore, if your spouse has not been convicted of a crime for which a custodial sentence of more than 1 year was imposed, even if it has not been served or its execution has been suspended, there will be no issue, provided he has no other criminal record.