Lisbon authorities have repatriated around 500 nationals from the Middle East following attacks on Iran, and the 73 Portuguese on a cruise in Dubai have also started to leave this Saturday. The cruise passengers were held on the ship for a week and are now departing with commercial flights arranged by the shipping company, a process monitored by the Portuguese government, despite complaints about a lack of contact from authorities. Emídio Sousa, Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, stated that the Portuguese ambassador visited the ship and spoke with half of the passengers, while acknowledging that some may not have been contacted. The Dubai airport has resumed operations after a brief suspension, and the situation continues to evolve amid ongoing conflict in the region.
Portugal has already repatriated 500 citizens from the Middle East. Cruise passengers have also begun to depart
Saturday, 7 March 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
Repatriation is the return of people to their country of origin, which can be voluntary or carried out by state authorities. In migration policy it usually refers to deportations or organised returns of irregular migrants under legal procedures or assisted-return schemes, and it directly affects migrants, asylum seekers and the organisations that support them.
