auxílio à imigração ilegal
Published 30 October 2026, 20:39
auxílio à imigração ilegal (aiding illegal immigration)
A crime under the foreigners law (Lei 23/2007): helping someone to enter or stay in Portugal in breach of the rules. It is punishable by imprisonment, and more severely when it is done for gain or by an organised group. Liability lies with whoever brings people in and makes the arrangements, not with the person brought in.
Where you come across it. Announcements by the public prosecutor and news about schemes for bringing in workers; talk of middlemen who promise to “bring you over and sort out the papers”.
A promise to “get your papers done for money” is not a service but a criminal offence, and it will not get you a residence permit. Staying in the country illegally is not in itself punishable under this article: it targets those who make money from it.
Official website: diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/lei/2007-67564445