Working in Portugal After Graduation: Residence for Work or Job Search

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Portugal's immigration agency, AIMA, has a procedure for students who are already in the country and want to stay after their studies. It covers two situations: switching to work, and using a period of up to one year to look for work or create a company. This guide follows AIMA's own notice on the procedure, published on 4 December 2025, and its page on the higher education student permit. Rules and forms change, so check AIMA's site before you submit anything.

Who it applies to

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a residence permit to work in Portugal, so this guide is for students from other countries who hold a student residence permit under article 91 of the immigration law (Law 23/2007). According to AIMA, that permit is valid for three years, renewable for equal periods, and is issued for the length of the programme when it is shorter. How to get it is explained in the student visa guide for Portugal.

The AIMA procedure for students who do not need a visa

AIMA launched a contact form for foreign students who are already in Portugal and do not need a visa to ask for a temporary residence permit under article 122, letters o) and p) of the law. It is meant for two groups:

• students who finished secondary school or the first cycle of higher education in Portugal and now want to work, as employees or independently
• higher education students and researchers who finished their studies or research project in Portugal and want to use the maximum period of one year to look for a job or create a company in Portugal that fits their qualifications

AIMA states that, except in exceptional cases, residence permits issued under cooperation agreements are not considered. It also states that submissions that do not fall within this scope are automatically disregarded, so use the form only if you belong to one of the groups.

What you upload

The mandatory documents in AIMA's notice are:

• a scanned copy of your passport
• a scanned copy of your residence permit
• proof that you completed your studies, whether secondary school or higher education (first, second or third cycle), or your research project
• for the work route, a copy of an employment contract or service contract, and a declaration of opening of independent activity with the Tax Authority
• for the search route, a declaration that you want the maximum period of one year to look for work compatible with your qualifications
• proof of your registration with Social Security (NISS)

The NISS is free and can be requested online by foreign nationals, according to the government guide on the NIF and NISS. See the arrival checklist for Portugal.

What AIMA's notice does not say

The notice describes who may apply and what to upload. It does not describe the rights attached to the permit for the search year, such as work during the year, or what happens when the year ends. Ask AIMA through the form or at your appointment, and keep the answer in writing. The form is also a booking tool, so you must wait for an appointment after you submit it.

Timing

The form leads to an appointment, and waiting times for AIMA appointments have been long in recent years, as the student visa guide notes. Do not wait for the last weeks of your student permit. Note that the notice asks for proof of completed studies, so ask your university when it can issue it.

Practical plan

1. In your final year, register for a NISS if you do not have one.
2. Decide which route fits: an offer of work or a self-employment plan, or the search year.
3. Ask your university for proof of completion as soon as it is possible.
4. Scan the documents and submit AIMA's contact form for your group.
5. Keep your current permit and passport valid and attend the appointment.

Where to look next

• Student visa for Portugal
• Scholarships and student jobs in Portugal
• How much it costs to study in Portugal: our catalogue lists 1,438 programmes at 120 institutions

Official sources

• AIMA: contact form for residence permits without a visa, article 122 o) and p)
• AIMA: residence permit for higher education students, article 91
• gov.pt: how to request the NIF and NISS as a foreign national

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.