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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo or AIMA) opened its portal on 24 February to allow holders of residence permits expiring in May and June to renew online, following an earlier early‑renewal window for April. AIMA says the early access is intended to speed up procedures and reduce disruption for residents. Those with permits due to expire in those months should check the AIMA portal and prepare supporting documents now to avoid last‑minute problems.

Amanda Abreu, a Brazilian who has lived in Portugal for nine years, says delays by the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) blocked her paperwork and she plans to file a complaint at the European Court of Human Rights. She told Lusa she has gathered testimony alleging obstruction of justice and “numerous allegations of xenophobia.” The move highlights that administrative delays can escalate to international legal action; those awaiting immigration decisions should log delays and collect correspondence. Visa holders and those applying for residency should be aware of potential long delays in AIMA procedures.

The government launched a multi-phase programme (PTRR will be approved in April) with targets running through 2034, aiming to reform state services, reuse existing schemes and open the door to hiring immigrants, Observador reports. The plan will be implemented in three phases and seeks structural change across public administration. Job-seekers and employers — including those recruiting foreign workers — should watch recruitment rules and later calls for proposals.

The government has moved the deadline for residents in municipalities hit by Storm Kristin to apply for a replacement citizen card (cartão de cidadão) without paying fees, shortening the period from 31 March to 17 March after a decree published on 19 February. The change covers the 68 municipalities where an emergency measure ended on 15 February and sets the free-issue window at 30 days after the end of the state measure, which local officials say expires on 17 March. Affected residents should check the decree text and their municipal services for how to apply and what documents are needed. Those in the affected towns should act quickly to avoid fees after the new deadline.

After more than a year of debate and a prior Constitutional Court challenge, Parliament amended the Immigration Law with Law No. 61/2025 of 22 October, introducing administrative reorganisation and new control measures, Portugal Resident reports. The change follows intensive discussion and is meant to reshape how migration procedures are handled; the report notes the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) previously rejected parts of the draft. Residents with pending immigration applications or awaiting procedural changes should watch official guidance from immigration services for any new steps.

Update: Parliament enacts Law No. 61/2025 changes

Portugal Resident confirms the amendment is recorded as Law No. 61/2025 (22 October) and says it reorganises administrative structures and adds tighter control measures; implementation details and official guidance are expected from immigration services.