Legal challenges against expulsion orders rise in Lisbon

Saturday, 23 May 2026AI summary

📍 Lisbon 🛂 Immigration ⚖️ Legal #residency-permits #aima #expat-rights #expulsion-orders

Legal challenges against expulsion orders rise in Lisbon — Photo: RTP Notícias

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.

Context & Explainers

Temporary residence is a limited residence permit that allows non‑EU nationals to live in Portugal for a set period (commonly one year, renewable) for study, work or other reasons. The Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) launching an online form means eligible students who also work can apply or regularise their status more easily through AIMA’s process rather than only via consular services.

The CSTAF (Conselho Superior dos Tribunais Administrativos e Fiscais) is the governing body responsible for the management and discipline of judges within Portugal's administrative and tax courts. It ensures the independence and proper functioning of these specialized courts, which handle disputes between citizens and the state or tax authorities.