Practicing Law in Portugal
Brazilian lawyer wanting to practice in Portugal: understand admission to the Portuguese Bar Association after the end of reciprocity with the OAB. Talk to us.
Please note: the reciprocity regime between the Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados, OA) and the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), which allowed Brazilian lawyers to register with the OA without a traineeship or the bar admission exam (prova de agregação), was terminated by the OA with effect from July 5, 2023, with only the registration proceedings then under way being safeguarded. Law 6/2024 of January 19 (Lei), which amended the Statute of the Portuguese Bar Association (Estatuto da Ordem dos Advogados), repealed paragraph 2 of Article 201, which provided for that regime, and Regulation 913-C/2015 (Regulamento) was also repealed. Currently, a lawyer who graduated in Brazil and wishes to practice law in Portugal must, as a rule, obtain recognition of their law degree in Portugal and complete the traineeship and the bar admission exam provided for in the Statute.
In addition, Provision 37/69 of the OAB Federal Council (Provimento) establishes that “Portuguese or Brazilian lawyers holding proper diplomas issued by Portuguese law schools or institutes may register on the OAB roll, subject to the common registration requirements of the laws of Brazil or Portugal applicable to their nationals.”
Brazilian lawyers who were already registered with the OA under the former reciprocity regime keep their registration.
The requirements and documents are set by the Statute of the Portuguese Bar Association and by the registration regulations in force, and should be confirmed with the Portuguese Bar Association before starting the process.
We at Sene & Araújo Advogados are here to answer your questions and help you with this next step!
Other services in this area
Wills
Forms, forced share, and applicable law in both countries.
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Declaration of heirs
Notary's office or Inheritance Desk, documents, and Stamp Duty.
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Assets in Brazil
Selling, inheriting, and managing assets in Brazil while living in Portugal.
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Marriage and property regime
Applicable law, prenuptial agreement, and effects on inheritance.
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Child custody
Relocation to another country, travel authorization, and the Hague Convention.
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International child and spousal support
Setting, collecting, and modifying support between Brazil and Portugal.
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STJ recognition
Portuguese judgments given effect in Brazil.
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Tax residence
Definitive departure from Brazil, the 183-day rule, and double taxation.
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INSS retirees
Brazilian pension received in Portugal: the agreement and taxation.
Learn more →Common questions
Didn't find your question? Talk to our team on WhatsApp.
Can a lawyer registered with the OAB still register with the Portuguese Bar Association without a traineeship?
As a rule, no. The reciprocity regime between the Portuguese OA and the OAB, which waived the traineeship and the bar admission exam, was terminated by the OA with effect from July 5, 2023, safeguarding only the registration proceedings then under way. Law 6/2024 repealed paragraph 2 of Article 201 of the Statute, which provided for that regime, and Regulation 913-C/2015 was also repealed.
What must a lawyer who graduated in Brazil do today to practice in Portugal?
Currently, a lawyer who graduated in Brazil must, as a rule:
- obtain recognition of their law degree in Portugal;
- complete the traineeship provided for in the Statute of the Portuguese Bar Association;
- pass the bar admission exam.
The requirements and documents are set by the Statute and by the registration regulations in force and should be confirmed with the Portuguese Bar Association before starting the process.
Do those already registered with the OA through reciprocity lose their registration?
No. Brazilian lawyers who were already registered with the Portuguese Bar Association under the former reciprocity regime keep their registration. The termination of the regime, with effect from July 5, 2023, affects new applications; registration proceedings under way on that date were also safeguarded.
Can a lawyer with a degree from a Portuguese law school register with the OAB?
Yes, Portuguese or Brazilian lawyers with a proper diploma from a Portuguese law school may register with the OAB, subject to the common registration requirements.
Provision 37/69 of the OAB Federal Council establishes that Portuguese or Brazilian lawyers holding proper diplomas issued by Portuguese law schools or institutes may register on the OAB roll, subject to the common registration requirements of the laws of Brazil or Portugal applicable to their nationals.
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