Latest news and stories about immigration policy in Portugal for expats and residents.
CHEGA is back in the ‘headlines’ this week after its youth arm (Juventude CHEGA) took part in “the nation’s largest educational fair” with a stand that pushed the party’s vehement The post “Smile we are being substituted” – outrage as CHEGA embarks on new initiative appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The STM has requested an urgent review of the organic law of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).
The rejection of the Chega proposal was (almost) consensual across the left and right, with all parties pointing out constitutional issues and accusing the far-right of resuming its “usual obsession” with immigrants to advance a “culture war”. Only the CDS defended the merit of the discussion.
Starting April 17, 2026, Portuguese authorities will require Brazilian visa applicants to submit their applications in person at designated Visa Application Centres or Portuguese embassies, ending the previous postal submission option. This change aims to enhance security, streamline processing, and incorporate digital tools like biometric verification and real-time tracking. Applicants may face challenges such as increased travel for in-person submissions and potential appointment backlogs, especially during peak periods. Overall, the new process seeks to improve efficiency and security in visa handling for Brazilian nationals traveling to Portugal.
Visa applications sent by mail after next Tuesday by Brazilians intending to enter Portugal will be returned, as applications must now be made in person at a visa centre or diplomatic mission, according to the Diplomatic Portal. The goal of the measure is to ensure greater efficiency and proximity to users.
Applications must be made in person at VFS Global centres or diplomatic missions, by appointment.
Hugo Soares, the parliamentary leader of the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD), has defended the government’s approach to immigration as a “quiet change” that avoids ideological extremes. Soares challenged the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista) and Chega to reach a consensus on revisions to the Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade). Visa holders should note that the government aims to position itself in the “moderate centre” while tightening certain regulations.
Hugo Soares is the PSD parliamentary leader, as noted during a recent biweekly debate. He warned the PSD will pursue all available measures if it believes an amendment to the lay-off decree-law approved by the opposition violates the law, which matters for workers and employers following labour-rule changes.
Rui Rio is a centre‑right politician who served as mayor of Porto from 2002 to 2013 and led the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata) from 2018 to 2022. Known for moderate and fiscally cautious positions, he remains an influential voice in PSD debates and national politics, so journalists and party members often cite his views.
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.
Home News Portugal ends postal visa applications for Brazilians Portugal ends postal visa applications for Brazilians Brazilian nationals applying for Portuguese visas will soon be required to submit their applications in person, following an announcement of the end of the postal submission syste
Portugal's immigration authority is investing €800,000 to expand housing for irregular migrants due to a European Union requirement. The plan involves adding 80 beds at the Porto facility, which currently has 29 beds. This expansion is a stopgap measure, as Portugal lost funding for the construction of two new facilities and will not meet the EU's deadline to have dedicated accommodation centers with at least 300 beds by June 12th. The government is preparing a public tender to address the shortage of accommodation. The new centers are intended to provide temporary housing and detention facilities for migrants.
The article discusses the use of the term 'humanism' in government immigration policies, highlighting the contrast between benevolent rhetoric and restrictive practices. It emphasizes the need for genuine humanist approaches in immigration, particularly in light of contributions immigrants make to society. The appointment of Luís Neves to the Ministry of Internal Administration is seen as a potential turning point in addressing anti-immigration sentiments, particularly those rooted in economic and crime-related fears. The article calls for a more comprehensive and courageous political approach to combat identity fears associated with immigration.
Home News EES biometric system delayed by European Union EES biometric system delayed by European Union The European Union (EU) has delayed the introduction of the biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) until September 2026. By Bruno G.
The appointment of Luís Neves to the Ministry of Internal Administration is primarily a gesture of political intelligence by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. Not only does the former National Director of the Judicial Police (PJ) have a deep understanding of the state's most sensitive dossiers, but his nomination also breaks a trend followed by the government over the past two years: the temptation to adopt the security rhetoric that has characterised Chega's discourse, particularly regarding immigration. Luís Neves' entry into the government signifies a change in direction and a renewed focus on effectiveness and implementation. It is worth recalling a moment from 2025 when Neves, then the National Director of the PJ, asserted that there is no causal relationship between increased immigration and rising crime, a statement that contradicted the prevailing narrative in public debate. Today, this same stance is expected to take centre stage in internal security policy. Although Neves has never been a formal politician, he has demonstrated qualities of a competent politician, such as clarity, sobriety, and a remarkable ability to build bridges between people and entities that do not always understand each other. This ability will be tested in his greatest challenge: reforming Civil Protection. It is not enough to revise laws; it is essential to ensure that the system operates effectively on the ground and that entities like firefighters, security forces, the Agency for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires, the Portuguese Environment Agency, and the Armed Forces communicate and act with a common purpose. Additionally, he faces critical tasks such as managing the fight against wildfires and replacing the controversial SIRESP communication system, which has proven to work only when it is not needed. What is expected of Luís Neves is to replicate in the Ministry of Internal Administration what he accomplished in the PJ over two decades: to build coherent strategies, unite teams that were not initially inclined to cooperate, and instil public confidence that the state can handle the crises it faces. In a ministry where public perception is as important as operational effectiveness, the ability to communicate calmness and precision may prove as decisive as any structural reform. The only potential issue with this choice is that Luís Neves arrives at the Ministry of Internal Administration with exceptionally high expectations, which could be counterproductive. The future will reveal whether he can meet these expectations in a role that has been particularly challenging in recent years.
The Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (AIMA) has opened its renewal portal early for residence permits expiring in April, saying the move will improve efficiency and reduce inconvenience. The month-by-month portal, introduced last July to prevent a repeat of the large backlog of expired permits, has already been used to stagger renewals for January–March. Despite progress, significant delays remain: some applicants attended to in July still await cards while others processed later have received theirs, and AIMA’s newly issued ‘‘approval’’ proof is not guaranteed to be recognised by public or private bodies. The agency also launched a temporary-residence form for working students; the legal deadline for decisions is 60 days, but critics and affected migrants report financial losses and denied work opportunities, and DN Brasil’s request for comment from AIMA went unanswered.
Home News EES postponed in the European Union EES postponed in the European Union The European Union (EU) has postponed the implementation of the Entry-Exit System (EES) from April to September 2026, as revealed by Publituris. By Bruno G.
Home News AIMA delays harm the Portuguese economy AIMA delays harm the Portuguese economy Speaking to Público, economist José Roberto Afonso warned that delays in regularising immigrants and measures taken by other countries to attract them could reduce the rate of social security tax collection
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has called for the establishment of an 'entry channel' for immigrants to provide the necessary workforce for rebuilding homes and businesses in the country. This proposal aims to address labor shortages and facilitate the integration of immigrants into the job market, raising questions about government policy and its willingness to adapt to these needs.
The aim is to address the lack of workforce needed to rebuild the areas affected by storm Kristin.
I am proud to have campaigned for motions adopted at the convention that reaffirmed the liberals' humanist stance on immigration, nationality, equality and the fight against hate and discrimination. Opinion by Sandra Pimentel
Portugal needs immigrants to survive, but recent laws have turned immigration into a privilege for the few. Opinion by Fábio Pimentel.
PS leader José Luís Carneiro condemned Government claims that Portugal has 'open borders' as a 'lie told a thousand times', arguing the country never had open borders, rejecting any link between immigration and insecurity, and challenging the Government to a serious debate on immigration policy.
Washington recently suspended the issuing of visas for immigrants from the island. Vanusa Barbosa, Secretary of State for Cape Verdean Communities, says the population is “apprehensive”.
Prominent European far-right figures — including Marine Le Pen, Matteo Salvini, Geert Wilders and Viktor Orbán — have publicly congratulated Portuguese politician André Ventura on his electoral performance.
The country needs a President who promotes the attraction and integration of immigrants.
Reaction from the government to Tuesday's report that Portugal will have to pay €8 million under the EU's solidarity mechanism.
