Latest news and stories about migration policy in government in Portugal for expats and residents.
The Portuguese Assembly of the Republic is currently debating the government's proposed 'return law,' which seeks to streamline and accelerate the removal process for foreign nationals residing in the country without legal status.
An analytical look at the legal conflict between EU member states concerning the protection of individuals from persecution based on personal characteristics.
The European Parliament's recent approval of the European list of safe countries of origin and clarification of the 'safe third country' concept signifies a pivotal shift in EU migration policy. The reform aims to address the slow and inconsistent asylum system that has left many legitimate claimants in limbo while allowing unfounded claims to drain resources. By establishing clear and uniform rules, the reform seeks to restore legitimacy to the asylum process, ensuring that it remains a pillar of European values while effectively distinguishing between those in genuine need of protection and those seeking economic opportunities. This legislative change is seen as a necessary step to enhance the credibility of the EU and its commitment to humanitarian principles.
Pope Leo XIV advocates for stronger measures to ensure the safety and rights of migrants.
The volume of asylum requests in Portugal has seen a significant decrease of nearly 40% throughout the year 2025.
Richard Gere called for addressing the root causes of migration and viewing this phenomenon from a moral perspective rather than just through restrictive and security-based policies.
Home News AIMA and the Migration Council praise the government's draft laws AIMA and the Migration Council praise the government's draft laws Officials from the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum and the National Council for Migration and Asylum praised draft laws to create regulations
Home News EU Approves Sweeping Migration Reforms Including Offshore Return Centres EU Approves Sweeping Migration Reforms Including Offshore Return Centres The European Union has approved a major new migration reform package that could significantly reshape how asylum seekers and irregular migran
AIMA and the Migration Council consider it important to have a regulation for the stateless status, which will lead to the granting of nationality, as provided for in a 2023 law that was never implemented.
The new pact aims to harmonise migration and asylum rules and procedures within the community area. It enters into force on 12 June, but Manuel Jarmela warns of the necessary organisational reforms.
The Social Security Institute has six months to transition the responsibilities for hosting asylum seekers. The goal is to provide accommodation and 'prepare people for the future'.
Currently, the process is the responsibility of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) in the initial phase and is only later assumed by the Social Security Institute, which will now accompany the migrant from their first day in national territory.
Aboard the plane returning from an 11-day tour of Africa, the Pope defended border rules but demanded respect for the human dignity of migrants.
Leão XIV stated today that, although a State has the right to establish rules regarding borders, it needs to treat migrants as “human beings and not worse than animals”.
The far-right group doubles down on its calls for tougher migration policies and the dismantling of the EU Green Deal.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva praised today the migrant regulation policy of the Spanish Government, led by Pedro Sánchez.
Vasco Malta, Head of Mission for the International Organization for Migration in Portugal, anticipates the possibility of new mass migration flows following the war in the Middle East.
In a letter to the 27 EU leaders, the European Commission President warned that the current geopolitical climate, particularly in the Middle East, poses risks of prolonged conflict with potential impacts on the Union. While no immediate migration flows have been triggered, the EU is mobilizing diplomatic, legal, and financial tools to prevent a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis. Member states like Denmark, Italy, and Germany are pushing for stricter border measures and humanitarian aid packages for the region, while Turkey has prepared contingency plans, including potential buffer zones, to manage any sudden influx of people.
“The era of deportations has begun,” lawmaker Charlie Weimers said after the European Parliament backed stricter migration rules.
More than 4 million people are already displaced in Iran and Lebanon. A migration crisis like the one in 2015 may never reach Europe, but experts warn that better prevention would involve aid on the ground.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today dismissed the scenario of a migration crisis similar to 2015 in relation to the conflict in the Middle East, stating that the European Union (EU) is “better prepared” for potential migratory flows.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today dismissed the scenario of a migration crisis similar to 2015 in relation to the conflict in the Middle East, stating that the European Union (EU) is “better prepared” for potential migratory flows.
The Government's proposal to accelerate the deportation of immigrants is up for a vote this Thursday, March 19. The document has undergone changes following public consultation, including the softening of rules regarding the deportation of immigrants with minor children. Previous versions included measures such as eliminating the 20-day period for voluntary departure and increasing detention periods for foreigners to 540 days. Minister António Leitão Amaro describes this as the final major legislative piece in the country's migration reform, following previous attempts that faced challenges from the Constitutional Court.
With the Middle East plunged into a new conflict and the shadow of a humanitarian crisis growing, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has issued an urgent warning to European leaders: the EU must activate all diplomatic mechanisms and strategic partnerships to prevent instability from turning into an uncontrolled wave of migration towards Europe. In a letter to the 27 member states ahead of their meeting in Brussels, Von der Leyen stressed the need to collaborate with regional partners like Turkey, Lebanon, and Pakistan to mitigate potential migratory flows. She highlighted the precarious situation of four million Afghans in Iran and the displacement of over 800,000 people in Lebanon due to Israeli military operations against Hezbollah. The Commission President also called for constructive engagement with Syria regarding stabilisation and refugee returns, while noting that the EU is closely monitoring the Western Balkans and preparing a new Mediterranean Pact to manage migration.
The President of the European Commission stressed that “it is imperative” to collaborate with countries in the region, such as Turkey.
The President of the European Commission warns that the current geopolitical situation “carries an increasing risk of a prolonged conflict with direct and indirect repercussions for the Union”
Attempts to reform EU migration rules date back to the 2015 refugee crisis, but there are doubts about how the new rules will fare under new pressure.
Home News Ban on migrants from the Middle East entry in Portugal proposed Ban on migrants from the Middle East entry in Portugal proposed The Chega party will propose a ban on the entry of migrants from countries affected by the conflict in the Middle East.
