The Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an inquiry into alleged fraud involving Portuguese language courses for immigrants (Português Língua de Acolhimento or PLA). These courses are essential for immigrants seeking permanent residency or nationality, and the investigation follows reports of irregularities in the certification process. The courses are provided by public schools, the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (Instituto do Emprego e da Formação Profissional or IEFP), and private partners.

The expiration of the exceptional validity period for residence permits on April 15, 2026, has left approximately 8,000 immigrant drivers unable to work. Platforms require valid documentation to keep accounts active, and the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) has failed to meet the 60-day deadline for issuing physical cards. Many affected workers, including a large number of Brazilian nationals, have been waiting months for their definitive permits.

The Casa do Brasil de Lisboa has sent a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva ahead of his visit to Portugal on April 21. The association is urging the president to formally address concerns regarding racism, xenophobia, and anti-immigrant misinformation with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and President António José Seguro. During his current European tour, Lula has praised the Spanish government's migration policies for recognizing the contributions of Brazilian residents.

Approximately 8,000 drivers for ride-hailing platforms (Transporte Individual e Remunerado de Passageiros em Veículos Descaracterizados a partir de Plataforma Eletrónica or TVDE) have been blocked from working due to pending residency permit renewals. The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo or AIMA) has clarified that proof of an ongoing renewal process should be sufficient for drivers to continue their operations.

The ride-hailing platform Bolt has confirmed it will not block immigrant drivers currently undergoing the residency permit renewal process. The company has extended the deadline for drivers to provide updated documentation by 30 days, acknowledging the administrative delays currently affecting many foreign workers in Portugal.

The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo or AIMA) has acknowledged a procedural error in the residency renewal application of a nine-year-old Brazilian child. The agency confirmed that the previously issued notice requiring the child to leave the country has been cancelled and the process is being corrected.

Update: AIMA faces further criticism over residency errors

Reports have emerged of additional administrative errors, including a case where a 41-year-old Brazilian woman was incorrectly registered as a minor, and her husband was denied residency renewal due to alleged failure to prove housing. These cases have intensified public scrutiny regarding the agency's efficiency in processing residency applications.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva is scheduled to visit Portugal on April 21, where he will meet with President António José Seguro and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. Brazilian officials indicated that the recently approved Portuguese nationality law will be discussed as a delicate matter of interest alongside immigration and xenophobia.

The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo or AIMA) now allows immigrants enrolled in vocational courses to request residency appointment slots through its official online contact form. This administrative pathway aims to help thousands of students regularize their status in Portugal.

The government has summoned the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT) and four business confederations to a meeting this Monday, April 13, to continue negotiations on labour law amendments. This follows the UGT's recent rejection of the government's latest proposal, with President António José Seguro also announcing plans to meet with social partners soon to discuss the reform process.

After 53 meetings, the Government, the four business confederations, and the UGT have finally reached a 'construction level' for the labour law reform proposal, which requires each organisation to consult its internal bodies. This is what the trade union centre led by Mário Mourão will do this Thursday, in a...

The number of Brazilian citizens denied entry at Portuguese airports fell by 49% in 2025 compared to the previous year, with 749 individuals turned away. Despite this decrease, the Annual Internal Security Report (Relatório Anual de Segurança Interna or RASI) indicates that the total number of foreign nationals denied entry into Portugal has increased overall.

Nearly 3,000 Nepalese nationals living in Portugal are at risk of expulsion after submitting residency applications that included forged stamps on otherwise genuine criminal records. These individuals, who have been working in the country since 2022, were reportedly victims of a scam. The government of Nepal has formally requested assistance from Portuguese authorities to resolve the status of these residents.

The government of Nepal has formally requested assistance from Portuguese authorities regarding the status of 2,800 Nepalese nationals currently at risk of expulsion. The situation highlights ongoing bureaucratic challenges faced by foreign residents in Portugal as the country manages its immigration processes. No immediate resolution has been announced by the Portuguese government.

Approximately 23,000 immigrants were notified to voluntarily leave Portugal last year, a significant increase from the 444 notifications recorded in 2024. The data, released in the Annual Internal Security Report (Relatório Anual de Segurança Interna or RASI), highlights a sharp shift in immigration enforcement. These notices typically give individuals a set period to depart the country before facing formal deportation proceedings.

The Institute of Registries and Notaries (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado or IRN) is facing a backlog of approximately 516,000 pending citizenship applications. Immigrant groups report that the average waiting time for a decision has reached three years, leading some to compare the agency's delays to those of AIMA. The backlog affects all applicants, including the children and grandchildren of Portuguese citizens.

Hundreds of immigrants, primarily from Nepal, have filed complaints with the Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) regarding forged criminal record certificates (Certificado de Registo Criminal). The Nepalese embassy estimates at least 2,000 victims were scammed by companies promising legal documents for residency applications. Visa holders should note that AIMA has already identified nearly 3,000 applications with fraudulent stamps, which could lead to expulsion.

Cultural mediators at the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo or AIMA) have scheduled a strike for March 30. The workers are demanding integration into the agency's permanent staff, arguing that they are currently employed under precarious conditions while performing essential roles. Those awaiting residency appointments or integration services should note potential disruptions at AIMA offices on the strike date.

Socialist Party leader José Luís Carneiro reported that Venezuelan authorities have shown willingness to address the situation of four Luso-Venezuelan political prisoners currently detained in the country. During a meeting in Caracas, José Luís Carneiro expressed the Portuguese government's concern regarding the detainees and the importance of their release. The Luso-Venezuelan community should note that this represents a potential diplomatic opening for families seeking the return of their relatives.

The Order of Psychologists (Ordem dos Psicólogos) has labeled recent changes to the gender identity law a scientific setback because they require medical validation for changing name and gender in the civil registry (registo civil). In response, the Bloco de Esquerda (BE) asked the United Nations to investigate potential human rights violations resulting from the legislation supported by the right-wing majority. Those following civil rights legislation should note that the BE argues the law restricts the fundamental right to self-determination.

The SOS Racismo movement has condemned the Chega party for displaying “anti-immigration propaganda” at the Futurália education fair in Lisbon. The party's stand, visited by leader André Ventura, featured posters comparing Portugal to Bangladesh and referencing the “Great Replacement” theory. Those attending the fair should note that the movement has called on the Ministry of Education to clarify the rules for political participation in events aimed at young people.

Most political parties have criticized a proposal by Chega to require five years of legal residency before immigrants can access social benefits. Critics argue the bill is likely unconstitutional and discriminates against legal residents who contribute to the social security system. The proposal has united both left and right-leaning parties in opposition during parliamentary discussions. Residents awaiting residency should note that the bill faces significant legal and political hurdles and is unlikely to pass in its current form.

The Portuguese government has extended the temporary protection (proteção temporária) regime for Ukrainian refugees for another year. Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro confirmed that the 60,000 Ukrainians currently in Portugal under this status will remain protected until March 4, 2027. The decision recognizes the high level of integration of the Ukrainian community since the start of the conflict. Visa holders should note that this extension is automatic and maintains their current residency rights.

The Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados) is calling for the creation of a specialized court to handle the massive backlog of immigration-related lawsuits. João Massano, head of the Lisbon Regional Council, estimated that there are currently 200,000 cases pending in administrative courts against the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA). Visa holders and those awaiting residency should note that the proposal aims to speed up judicial decisions through mediation and specialized judges.

After an RTP investigation found that several properties were being used as clandestine housing rented to migrants, Mafalda Guerra — appointed in December 2025 as a board member (vogal) of the Social Services of the Lisbon City Council (Serviços Sociais da Câmara de Lisboa) — was exonerated. The report says rents were reportedly paid through an associate; Guerra told RTP some properties were leased to third parties who managed them. The dismissal follows public scrutiny of informal housing arrangements and will draw attention from anyone using or dealing with municipal social services in Lisbon.

The PSD submitted a bill to reintroduce medical validation for legal gender and name changes in the civil registry (registo civil), reversing a procedure that had removed mandatory medical checks; however, MP Bruno Vitorino has already asked that the proposal be withdrawn amid internal party opposition. If the bill proceeds it would affect the legal process for trans people and those seeking name changes; watch parliamentary debates and civil-registry guidance for any procedural shifts.

Update: Debate set for March 19; minors would be excluded

Parliament has scheduled debate on the proposal for 19 March. The draft would end the current option for 16- to 18-year-olds to change name and gender with parental authorisation and would require medical and psychological reports, while allowing exceptions for intersex people; the bill follows an earlier, stricter proposal from Chega and has drawn criticism from experts and dissent within the PSD.

The Azores will expand local services for immigrants in July so residents outside Faial, Terceira and São Miguel no longer need to travel to those islands to handle documentation. The change will affect about 9,000 immigrants in the archipelago and aims to decentralise consular/immigration procedures. Immigrants living on smaller Azorean islands should plan to use local services from July rather than travel between islands.

The Polícia Judiciária (PJ) and Spain's National Police coordinated an operation that dismantled a cross‑border network that used Portugal to traffic and exploit immigrants in Spain. Authorities carried out arrests and are investigating the group's routes and labour‑exploitation methods. Those involved in recruitment or employment of migrant workers should expect continued police scrutiny and possible legal action in cross‑border cases.

The Ministry of Labour is negotiating with unions and employers over an alternative design for the long‑discussed turnover tax aimed at tackling labour precariousness — a levy that has never been implemented because regulation was never finalised. Officials say talks are exploratory and seek a compromise that reduces insecure contracts without unduly burdening businesses. Employers and workers should monitor negotiations, since any agreed design could affect hiring costs and contract terms.

A military aircraft carrying 39 passengers, including 24 Portuguese nationals, arrived in Lisbon after evacuation from the Iran conflict zone. Authorities coordinated a military evacuation and repatriation effort for citizens and residents; details on onward support and consular assistance are being handled by the relevant services. Those with family or travel plans in the region should check consular updates and contact Portuguese diplomatic services if they need assistance.

A proposed change to the Code of Criminal Procedure would allow judges to order financial sanctions on lawyers whose actions are judged 'manifestly unfounded', with fines ranging from €204 to €10,200 and a 50% surcharge if unpaid after ten days. Critics say the measure could limit access to justice by deterring lawyers from representing clients in difficult cases and could impose unaffordable costs on defendants. The debate highlights tensions between procedural discipline and legal defence rights under the reform. Those involved in criminal cases should follow developments and consult legal counsel about potential impacts.

The CGTP trade union vowed it will keep demanding the withdrawal of the government's draft labour reform (labour package (pacote laboral)), saying the executive “handles democracy very poorly” as fresh negotiations begin. The comment comes ahead of a new round of talks between union leaders and the Government; the dispute could raise the risk of industrial action if no compromise emerges. Workers and employers should watch negotiation outcomes for changes to contracts and workplace rules.

Update: Employers set two-week deadline; minister says talks near end

Employers have signalled the next two weeks as the timeframe to know if there will be an agreement on the labour package, pressing to keep tools such as the individual hours bank. Rosário Palma Ramalho, the Minister of Labour, said discussions are “closer to the end than to the beginning” and reiterated the government may send the proposal to Parliament even without a pact; UGT warned there are still significant unresolved issues.

Negotiations over the government's proposed labour law reform continue amid disagreements on contracts, outsourcing and other measures. UGT presented an extensive counterproposal while the Confederation of Portuguese Business (CIP) offered its own set of suggestions; none have ruled out a deal but differences remain. Workers, employers and those hiring help should follow talks: changes to contracting and outsourcing rules could affect labour costs and hiring practices.

André Ventura, president of Chega, proposed creating a parliamentary commission on state reform to be chaired by former prime minister Pedro Passos Coelho, and rejected that Passos poses a threat to his party. The proposal adds a new political angle to debates over public administration and social policy and could shape parliamentary discussion if it gains support. Politically engaged residents should watch for developments in parliament and any legislative moves that affect public services.

Publico reports that around 516,000 nationality requests are currently pending at the Instituto dos Registos e Notariado, leaving applicants like Marinalda — who has waited three years for nationality by marriage — in limbo. The backlog covers several types of applications and is slowing life plans for families and workers who need Portuguese citizenship for rights such as voting or simplified travel within the EU. Applicants should check their case status directly with the Instituto dos Registos e Notariado and consider legal assistance if urgent documents or rights are affected.

Former prime minister Pedro Passos Coelho argued that opening the doors to immigration was “a big mistake” and called for a new model to manage arrivals and integration. Speaking at a Lisbon conference he also said a return to frontline politics was unlikely, while proposing changes to public administration including Social Security and a potential new ministry. The comments have stirred debate inside the PSD and among policymakers, and could shape future immigration and social‑policy discussions.

Thousands of people demonstrated in Lisbon and Porto against changes to the labour law.

Thousands of people marched in Lisbon and Porto on Saturday in protests called by the CGTP trade union against the government’s labour package, known as Trabalho XXI. Demonstrators filled routes in central Lisbon (Cais do Sodré to Rossio), chanted for immediate withdrawal of the proposal and warned the bill could be defeated if pressure continues. The rallies directly target Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s government and increase the political risk around the bill’s passage. Workers, commuters and anyone with plans in central Lisbon or Porto should expect local disruption and watch union bulletins.

The Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) announced it will permit renewal steps for residence permits that expire in May or June, easing timing pressures for holders, Público reports. The measure aims to speed processing for a wave of expiries; the agency’s website will have the specific instructions and required documentation. Visa holders and residents with permits due to run out in those months should check AIMA’s online guidance and prepare renewal paperwork.

The Academic Association of the Faculty of Law of Lisbon has warned of a shortage of student accommodation in the capital, Correio da Manhã reports. The group says demand outstrips supply, raising costs and placing pressure on students seeking nearby housing. Students, parents and landlords in Lisbon should expect heightened competition for rooms and consider earlier searches or alternative neighbourhoods. Students planning to move to Lisbon for study should look into university housing services and private‑sector options now.