Lisbon May 26, 2026 — A new European Union directive concerning residence and work permits has officially entered into force, but experts say it does not automatically allow immigrants living in Portugal to freely move and work in another EU country.
The new legislation — Directive (EU) 2024/1233 — aims to simplify administrative procedures, reduce bureaucracy, and strengthen rights for non-EU citizens legally residing in the European Union. However, each EU member state will still retain control over who can live and work within its territory.
Contrary to what has been circulating on Instagram and TikTok, it is not possible to obtain a Portuguese residency permit and simply move to another country , nor will there be any facilitation when each country transposes the directive.
The confusion may have arisen from the term "single residence and work permit in the EU" . The term "single" comes from the English "single permit ," which literally translates to "single authorization." The word "single" refers to the procedure and legal framework, not to the territory of the European Union.
According to immigration specialists, many immigrants believed the directive would create a type of “single European permit,” allowing residents in Portugal to move directly to countries such as Germany, France, or Spain without a new visa process. Lawyers clarify that this is not the case.
In practice, individuals holding Portuguese residence permits will still need to apply for authorization in the destination country before legally working there. The directive mainly improves coordination, processing deadlines, and legal protections across EU systems rather than creating unrestricted labor mobility.
The new rules also provide:
- clearer deadlines for processing applications,
- stronger labor protections,
- equal treatment with local workers in certain areas,
- and greater legal certainty for foreign residents.
EU member states have until May 2026 to fully implement the directive into national law.
Experts also warn that accepting employment in another EU country without the proper authorization may lead to:
- irregular immigration status,
- renewal complications,
- future residency issues,
- and possible impacts on citizenship applications.
The directive is therefore being viewed as an administrative reform rather than a “free movement” system for third-country nationals residing in Portugal or elsewhere in the EU.