Latest news and stories about expat rights in Portugal for expats and residents.
This article examines common causes for Portugal visa application rejections, including documentation errors and financial insufficiency, while providing actionable strategies to improve approval success rates.
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.
Chega ("Enough") is a Portuguese far-right populist party founded in 2019 by André Ventura. It positions itself as an anti-establishment movement against what it calls a "rotten and corrupt system" of PS-PSD dominance. The party surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest force with 60 seats. Chega's core platform emphasizes strict immigration control—ending automatic CPLP residency, deporting non-independent immigrants, implementing job-market quotas, and requiring five-year social security contributions before benefit access. It advocates radical constitutional reform, including reducing parliament to 100 members, abolishing the prime minister position for a presidential system, and dismantling public healthcare. Law-and-order policies include life imprisonment and chemical castration proposals.
The party is defined by inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric, with Ventura convicted multiple times for discrimination. Chega maintains international alignments with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen, Santiago Abascal, and Matteo Salvini. Mainstream Portuguese parties, including Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's government, have imposed a cordon sanitaire, refusing coalition with Chega despite its parliamentary strength.
André Ventura, born January 15, 1983, is a lawyer, academic, and Portugal's most prominent far-right leader. He founded Chega ("Enough") in 2019 after his PSD mayoral campaign attacked the Romani community. Chega surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest party and making Ventura Leader of the Opposition.
His platform emphasizes immigration restrictions, law-and-order policies, constitutional reform, and contains inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric that has triggered multiple discrimination convictions and investigations. Politically classified as far-right by international media, Ventura cultivates alliances with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen and Santiago Abascal.
He announced his 2026 presidential candidacy, polling at 18% alongside independent Admiral Gouveia e Melo. His rise ended Portugal's 50-year resistance to far-right parties.
The CGTP trade union federation plans to attend a government meeting on labour law reforms despite not receiving an invitation, asserting its constitutional right to participate in the legislative process.
The Beja Court has sentenced five individuals to prison terms of up to six and a half years for the exploitation of immigrants in the Alentejo region, while 17 others were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
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.
Chega ("Enough") is a Portuguese far-right populist party founded in 2019 by André Ventura. It positions itself as an anti-establishment movement against what it calls a "rotten and corrupt system" of PS-PSD dominance. The party surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest force with 60 seats. Chega's core platform emphasizes strict immigration control—ending automatic CPLP residency, deporting non-independent immigrants, implementing job-market quotas, and requiring five-year social security contributions before benefit access. It advocates radical constitutional reform, including reducing parliament to 100 members, abolishing the prime minister position for a presidential system, and dismantling public healthcare. Law-and-order policies include life imprisonment and chemical castration proposals.
The party is defined by inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric, with Ventura convicted multiple times for discrimination. Chega maintains international alignments with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen, Santiago Abascal, and Matteo Salvini. Mainstream Portuguese parties, including Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's government, have imposed a cordon sanitaire, refusing coalition with Chega despite its parliamentary strength.
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.
João Massano of the Bar Association proposes the creation of a specialized court to handle the backlog of approximately 200,000 immigration cases currently pending against AIMA in administrative courts.
André Ventura, leader of Chega, faced defeat in the presidential elections against António José Seguro, who garnered over 33% of the votes. This result positions Ventura as a significant figure on the right, raising questions about his next steps and the potential for reform within the political landscape.
Mafalda Guerra, a Chega activist, was dismissed following an RTP investigation that uncovered her properties being utilized as illegal housing for immigrants in Lisbon. The report raised significant concerns regarding the legality of the rentals and the implications for immigrant communities.
A total of 11,000 companies have applied for exemption from the Single Social Tax (TSU), amounting to an estimated 200 million euros in total.
Seven PSP officers are facing preventive detention due to serious allegations of torture and other crimes against vulnerable individuals, including homeless people and foreigners. This follows an investigation that revealed disturbing incidents of violence at the Rato police station in Lisbon. The Minister of Internal Administration has defended the majority of police professionals while emphasizing the need for accountability and trust in law enforcement. The case has raised significant concerns about the conduct of police officers and the protection of human rights within the security forces.
The PSD party is seeking to amend the legal framework for gender and name changes in the civil registry by reintroducing medical validation, a move that faces internal opposition, particularly from MP Bruno Vitorino who has called for the bill's withdrawal.
More than a hundred people demonstrated in downtown Lisbon, organized by CGTP, to demand gender equality and oppose a labor package perceived to worsen women's working conditions. The protest featured slogans advocating for equal pay and rights, with participants highlighting ongoing disparities in the workplace. CGTP leaders emphasized the need for legislative changes to uphold constitutional rights for women, especially in light of the upcoming International Women's Day.
The Ministry of Labour is currently negotiating with employers and unions to find an alternative to the turnover tax aimed at combating labour precariousness. This tax has not been implemented due to regulatory issues. An official from the Ministry confirmed that discussions are ongoing to address this matter.
A military flight carrying 39 passengers, including 24 Portuguese nationals, has successfully arrived in Lisbon as part of efforts to evacuate citizens amid the ongoing conflict in Iran. In response to the situation, Portugal is contemplating a new repatriation flight from Saudi Arabia to ensure the safety of its citizens abroad.
DECO, the Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection, reported receiving over 500 requests for information and complaints from members regarding insurance policies. The inquiries primarily focused on coverage extent, deductibles, and compensation limits, particularly in the wake of recent bad weather that led to delays in assessments and compensation calculations.
The proposed reform of the Code of Criminal Procedure threatens to impose financial penalties on lawyers for actions deemed 'manifestly unfounded' by judges, creating a two-tier criminal justice system that disproportionately impacts less affluent citizens. With fines ranging from €204 to €10,200, and potential disciplinary actions for repeat offenses, this legislation undermines legal certainty and fairness, ultimately jeopardizing the right to a fair trial.
Brazilian President Lula has signed an agreement that maintains the visa exemption for Brazilian citizens traveling to the European Union. Approved by the National Congress in 2025, this agreement allows Brazilians to stay in the 29 Schengen Area countries for up to 90 consecutive days within a 180-day period.
The Supreme Court of Justice has denied a habeas corpus request from former GNR officer João Lopes, who was convicted for his involvement in assaults against immigrants in Odemira. Lopes, along with six other officers, faced charges related to multiple instances of kidnapping and assault, leading to a sentence of over eight years in prison.
The article advocates for equitable access to biologic treatments for patients with severe asthma, emphasizing the need to update Ordinance No. 261/2024/1 to ensure that these patients receive the same level of care as those with other chronic conditions. It frames this issue as an ethical and social imperative, highlighting the injustice faced by asthma patients in accessing necessary medical treatments.
The Government has actively engaged in revising labour law, presenting a draft bill on 24 July and reconvening the Permanent Commission for Social Dialogue in September. Following several meetings with business confederations and the UGT, a significant meeting is scheduled for 3 March to further discuss the labour law reform, indicating ongoing negotiations and collaboration among stakeholders.
The return of former Prime Minister Passos Coelho to the political scene has generated significant excitement. Coelho has openly criticized his successor, Luís Montenegro, for failing to form a legislative agreement with Chega and IL, despite having a parliamentary majority. He suggests that an alliance with Chega could benefit the PSD, despite the party's historical stance against racist rhetoric. Coelho also questions Montenegro's commitment to reforms, highlighting his own past austerity measures that cut pensions and social support. His shifting positions raise concerns about his integrity and the authenticity of his reformist agenda.
The government has accused the Stop union of failing to demonstrate good faith during negotiations, asserting that it will not engage in talks under pressure. The Secretary of State for Education highlighted that the union's protest during meetings was perceived as a disruption, leading to the government's refusal to negotiate. The Stop union chose to continue its protest rather than attend the meeting, prompting the government to emphasize that any disruption would prevent negotiations from occurring. This situation has also led to the Federação Nacional dos Professores (Fenprof) declining to meet with the government regarding the teaching career statute, criticizing the government's stance as unacceptable. The government is looking to implement changes to allow unqualified teachers to join the Ministry of Education, but unions are concerned about the implications of limited training opportunities.
Former Prime Minister Passos Coelho advocates for a new immigration model that emphasizes integration and aims to prevent social instability. He reflects on past policies and suggests reforms to create a more effective approach to immigration.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Lisbon and Porto to protest against the government's proposed changes to the labour law, known as the 'Work XXI' reform. Led by the CGTP union, the protests highlighted concerns that the reforms would negatively impact workers' rights. CGTP's Secretary-General, Tiago Oliveira, called for the government to withdraw the labour package, emphasizing its detrimental effects on the workforce.
Passos Coelho, the former Prime Minister of Portugal, is re-emerging in the political landscape, outlining his political program and expressing a desire to return to leadership. His straightforward approach and frugal lifestyle set him apart from other leaders, making him a significant figure within the Portuguese right. Despite his silence during recent elections, his influence remains strong, as right-wing candidates seek his endorsement. The current government's challenges, particularly in healthcare, labor law, and housing, highlight the need for genuine reforms, which may be a focal point for Coelho's potential return to power.
The PCP emphasizes the need for the government to advance with the simplified 100% 'lay-off' scheme, asserting that the current issues can be resolved easily. Paulo Raimundo highlights the urgency for the government to address ongoing problems, particularly in the aftermath of Storm Kristin.
