New regulations for Portugal job seeker visa regarding highly qualified applicants

I am currently preparing my application for the Portugal Job Seeker Visa but I have seen several reports about recent legislative changes affecting entry requirements. I work as a senior freelancer with five years of experience, but I do not hold a formal university degree.

Can anyone clarify if the new criteria regarding “highly qualified” workers are now mandatory for all applicants, or is there still a valid route for general workers? I want to ensure I understand the regulations before I book my appointment.

Realizing this is commonly confused with the Digital Nomad visa, I want to clarify the scope.

Has anyone from outside the EU actually successfully applied with only freelance experience under these new rules?

Further to the points raised about qualifications…