Sunday, 24 May 2026

The number of new lawsuits challenging expulsion orders, voluntary departure requests, and residence permit denials reached its highest level in Lisbon this April since at least January 2025. Data from the Superior Council of Administrative and Tax Courts (Conselho Superior dos Tribunais Administrativos e Fiscais or CSTAF) indicates a growing trend in legal disputes involving the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo or AIMA).

Update: Record number of legal challenges filed in Lisbon

Administrative courts recorded 496 new cases in April alone, bringing the total number of pending residency-related disputes to 2,271. This surge follows a review process by AIMA that resulted in a high volume of permit rejections, prompting the establishment of a judicial task force to address the growing backlog.

Twelve people were rescued from the Benagil caves in Lagoa on Saturday after their tourist boat capsized for unknown reasons. The National Maritime Authority (Autoridade Marítima Nacional or AMN) coordinated the operation with local kayak operators and other maritime-tourism vessels. Two of the rescued individuals sustained minor injuries and were transported to the Portimão Marina for medical assistance.

Leaders from the Left Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda or BE) and the Portuguese Communist Party (Partido Comunista Português or PCP) have strongly criticized the government's proposed labour legislation. BE coordinator José Manuel Pureza and PCP secretary-general Paulo Raimundo described the package as a threat to workers' rights and called for participation in a general strike scheduled for June 3. Both parties argue that the current government narrative is an illusion and that the proposed changes will increase precariousness.

Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) leader José Luís Carneiro has accused the government of negligence in its response to severe storms that impacted the country earlier this year. His comments follow a report from the Presidency of the Republic, which highlighted failures in coordination and planning during the crisis. The report outlines eleven strategic lessons to improve future responses to extreme weather events.

The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) has postponed migrant repatriation flights due to a lack of funds. The national leadership of the police force cited administrative constraints for the delays, while the Independent Union of Police Agents (Sindicato Independente de Agentes de Polícia or SIAP) also noted broader training and operational issues within the force.

The Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) opened a record 177 investigations into sham marriages in 2025, a significant increase from previous years. Authorities report that the rise follows the 2024 abolition of the expression of interest mechanism, which previously allowed foreign nationals to obtain residency through tax contributions. Criminal networks are reportedly recruiting vulnerable Portuguese individuals via social media to participate in these fraudulent unions.

Banking unions, including Mais, SBN, and SBC, have expressed outrage at the banking sector's insistence on a 2% salary increase for this year. The unions, affiliated with the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT), labeled the offer as insensitive given the record profits reported by the country's five largest banks. They have warned of potential industrial action if the proposal is not improved.

The Volta system, a new deposit-refund scheme for plastic and metal bottles, collected 400,000 units during its first month of operation. Launched on April 10, the initiative allows consumers to recover a ten-cent deposit by returning intact containers to participating locations. Despite some criticism regarding the effort required, the Portuguese Association of Distribution Companies (Associação Portuguesa de Empresas de Distribuição or APED) considers the initial rollout a success.

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera or IPMA) has issued a yellow warning for eight districts in the north and centre of the country. The alert for Bragança, Viseu, Porto, Guarda, Vila Real, Viana do Castelo, Aveiro, and Braga is effective from midnight Saturday until midnight Sunday.

A nationwide general strike is scheduled for June 3, 2026, which is expected to cause significant disruptions to flights, trains, metros, and bus services. Major tourist hubs including Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve are likely to be affected by the industrial action.

Eurostat data shows Portugal experienced one of the highest monthly inflation increases in the Eurozone during April, rising by 1.9%. Experts suggest that volatility in international oil markets, particularly tensions near the Strait of Hormuz, is contributing to higher energy and food costs for families.