Latest news and stories about immigration law in government in Portugal for expats and residents.
This Thursday features key developments including the ECB interest rate decision, parliamentary debates on immigration and asylum laws, and high-level government meetings amidst the ongoing SIRESP controversy.
Brazilian expatriates in Portugal are raising concerns over immigration law changes, rising xenophobia, and administrative backlogs at AIMA ahead of President Lula da Silva's visit, urging diplomatic intervention.
The Portuguese Council of Ministers has approved amendments to immigration and asylum laws regarding returns, balancing EU compliance requirements with concerns over detention periods and judicial oversight. While the proposal introduces positive alternatives to detention, critics highlight risks regarding the extension of detention limits and the potential impact on families.
The government's new return law signals a potential alignment with Chega, creating political tension as the Socialist Party (PS) considers severing ties with the administration.
The Government's bill moved to the committee stage without a general vote. Only the PCP, the BE, and the MP and former PS leader, Pedro Nuno Santos, opposed this solution.
New European rules for screening come into force on the 12th, but Portugal, despite having the screening centres ready to operate, has not yet approved the necessary legal framework.
Another path to regularisation in Portugal has been closed to immigrants. The change, included in a bill submitted to Parliament this week, removes the provision allowing parents of minor children with residency permits to obtain residency themselves. This will now only be possible for parents of children with Portuguese nationality. The government aims to prevent foreigners from entering the country without a visa and using their children's school enrolment to secure residency. This follows the recent elimination of regularisation via vocational training courses, as the government seeks to ensure that the only way for foreigners to reside in Portugal is by obtaining a visa in their country of origin.
The Portuguese government has halted the intake of refugees under resettlement schemes following a legal disagreement with EU authorities.
The Constitutional Court (TC) in Portugal is facing intense scrutiny and controversy, with some calling for its abolition due to perceived political bias and issues with the selection process of its judges. This article argues that while the court's quality has declined and its selection method needs reform, abolishing it or transferring its powers to the Supreme Court of Justice would be a mistake, as it would undermine the transparent, pluralistic process required to interpret constitutional law in a complex society.
The proposal submitted to Parliament maintains a ban of up to five years, which may be extended if there is a serious threat to public order or security.
The ECB anticipates a more pronounced general rise in prices this year. The latest forecast pointed to 1.9%. Additionally, the Government approved the new Return Law proposal on immigration this afternoon.
Portugal is set to implement a new law to accelerate the deportation of undocumented immigrants. The proposal was approved by the Council of Ministers on Thursday, March 19, following a public consultation. Minister António Leitão Amaro described the change as 'highly necessary'. Key measures include eliminating the 20-day 'voluntary departure notification' period, restricting judicial appeals, extending the maximum detention period from 60 to 360 days, and preventing asylum requests from delaying deportations. The law also increases the entry ban period to five years and prioritizes voluntary returns in partnership with Frontex and the IOM. The bill will now be sent to Parliament for approval.
Portugal has revised the wording in its return legislation, replacing the concept of 'voluntary abandonment' with a formal 'duty to abandon'. The change aims to align national law with EU return standards and clarifies that third‑country nationals subject to removal decisions have an obligation to leave Portuguese territory, with possible effects on enforcement, deadlines and legal safeguards.
Home News Law on the return of foreigners may be unconstitutional Law on the return of foreigners may be unconstitutional Ana Rita Gil, a lawyer, believes that the new law on the return of foreigners has norms that may be unconstitutional, despite following the rules promoted by the European Unio
