A person from outside the EU or the EEA needs a lawful basis to reside and work in Portugal before working on a Portuguese construction site. The exact documents depend on the person's status.
What it means
A third-country national is someone who is not a citizen of an EU or EEA (European Economic Area) country. To work legally in Portugal, this person needs a valid residence title issued by AIMA (the agency that handles residence procedures for foreign nationals) and the right to work. Depending on the route, the right to work is part of the residence title, or it is a separate authorisation. Do not assume that two distinct permits are always required.
Who needs it?
Any third-country national working on a Portuguese construction site needs a lawful basis to do so, no matter how short the assignment is. This applies both to people employed directly by a company and to people working as self-employed.
How it works
The requirements depend on how the person actually works. An employee needs a residence title that covers paid work for an employer. A self-employed worker needs a title that covers independent professional activity. A title for one route does not cover the other: a title issued for employment does not by itself allow someone to work as self-employed, and the other way round. Someone who moves from employed to independent activity should check the applicable AIMA procedure. AIMA describes, for example, a replacement of the residence title for holders who move from employed to independent activity, which is not necessarily a new initial application.
What happens if it is not in order?
Working without the correct permission is illegal, both for the worker and for whoever engages them. It can lead to fines, and it can stop the person from continuing to work on the site until the paperwork is corrected.
What to watch out for
Always check for which route a residence title was actually issued. A valid-looking title is not enough on its own if it was issued for employment while the person is really working as self-employed, or the other way round. If one document covers more than one aspect, or the person follows a different lawful route, check with AIMA or a legal adviser.
A residence title for employees and one for self-employed workers are not interchangeable. Always match the title to how the person actually works on site.