After publication of a report, the Left Bloc questions the Government on immigrant integration policy
Following the release of a report, the Left Bloc has called on the Government to explain and justify its policies for integrating immigrants.
Lack of AIMA guidance halts online residence renewals
Diário de Notícias reports that unclear guidance from the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) has stalled online residence‑permit renewals, creating insecurity among immigrants whose renewals are due. DN says AIMA has not responded to requests for clarification, leaving some migrants unsure how to complete or prove renewals. Those awaiting renewal should contact their local consulate or municipal immigration desk and keep evidence of attempts to renew; legal or immigration advisers may be needed if deadlines approach.
Renewal of a residence permit means applying to the immigration authority to extend your existing authorization to live in Portugal (autorização de residência), usually by submitting ID, your passport, proof of address, proof of means or employment, a criminal-record check and paying a fee. Start the process well before the permit expires because processing can take weeks or months; missing the deadline risks fines, loss of legal status and difficulty with work, banking or travel.
Renewal of a residence permit means applying to the immigration authority to extend your existing authorization to live in Portugal (autorização de residência), usually by submitting ID, your passport, proof of address, proof of means or employment, a criminal-record check and paying a fee. Start the process well before the permit expires because processing can take weeks or months; missing the deadline risks fines, loss of legal status and difficulty with work, banking or travel.
The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) is the national body that manages immigration, asylum and integration services in Portugal, including information, application processing and support programmes for newcomers and refugees. Expats should use its website and local offices for practical matters such as residency procedures, integration courses and up‑to‑date guidance on rights and obligations.
Social Golden Visas
A proposal to create 'Social Golden Visas' — a fast-track residency pathway modelled on investor golden visas but targeted at people with urgent social needs. Analytically, the policy could deliver rapid legal protection and access to services for vulnerable migrants and expats, but it requires clear eligibility criteria, safeguards against abuse, and alignment with broader immigration and welfare systems to avoid unintended consequences.
Anything goes in the name of the fight against immigrants
The piece analyses rhetoric and policies that treat any measure as acceptable in the fight against immigration. It considers how such an approach can erode legal safeguards, bypass due process and civil rights, and normalise discriminatory or ad hoc enforcement under the guise of national policy. The article argues for clearer legal frameworks, independent oversight and rights-based reforms to balance legitimate border and public-order concerns with rule-of-law protections.
The couple with a company where 159 undocumented migrants never actually worked
The man was known for 'facilitating' the legalisation of immigrants in Portugal by allowing registration on the SEF platform through forged employment contracts and enrolments in the Social Security system.
What the President of Portugal Can (and Cannot) Do and How That Affects Immigrants' Lives
Explains the President of Portugal's constitutional powers and limits, and examines how presidential actions and decisions can shape immigration policy, residency rights, asylum procedures and the daily lives of immigrants in Portugal.
Bills on statelessness proceed to committee stage without consensus among right‑wing parties
Chega voted against all the bills, while CDS abstained on the bill from the government's coalition partner, PSD.
After a petition, Parliament will discuss how the waiting time for citizenship documents is calculated
Following a petition, Parliament will debate how the period applicants wait for the document conferring nationality should be counted.
PSP: Government authorises purchase of electronic control machines
A Resolution of the Council of Ministers authorises the PSP to spend more than seven million euros on machines for controlling external borders, and cites “imperative urgency” to justify a direct award.
The final nativist frontier against the right to asylum
A critique of nativist forces mounting a last stand against the right to seek asylum.
Transparency of presidential candidates: heightened duty or invasion of private life?
This analysis examines how demands for transparency from presidential hopefuls in the run-up to the 18 January election have become a tactical weapon between rivals. It explores the tension between legitimate public interest in candidates’ backgrounds and the risk of intrusive exposure of private life, reviews the legal and ethical boundaries, and argues for clearer, proportionate rules and safeguards to balance accountability, privacy and fair campaigning.
Stateless people: Chega the only party to vote against the law
MP Vanessa Barata labelled the law an “incentive to illegality”, opposing the introduction in Portugal of rules to establish the status of stateless persons in official documents.
Marcelo gives 'green light' for Brazilian driving licences to be recognised in Portugal
The Portuguese Head of State, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, promulgated on Wednesday the government decree relating to the 2023 agreement signed between Portugal and Brazil on the mutual recognition of driving licences. "The President of the Republic signed today the Government decree approving the 'Agreement between the Portuguese Republic and the Republic ...
School, healthcare, housing: four parties want to resolve issues facing stateless people
PSD, PS, Livre and BE have presented legislative proposals to regulate the statelessness status that has been pending since 2023.
PSD and Livre move closer on legislation to ease residency for stateless people
The PSD and Livre parties have aligned on legislative proposals aimed at making it easier for stateless individuals to obtain residency in Portugal.
Stateless people: Parliament to discuss statute on Wednesday
The revision of the legislation aims to resolve the legal limbo faced by people who lack a document confirming their nationality; through AIMA they could receive a residence authorisation.
Parliament to discuss the status of stateless persons on Wednesday
The legislation provides for access to nationality for stateless persons after four years of legal residence in the country.
'Voluntary abandonment' becomes 'duty to abandon' — Portuguese return law moves closer to the EU
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.
Law on the return of foreigners may be unconstitutional
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
Legal expert warns of risk of unconstitutionality in law on return of foreigners
Amendments to the legislation defining returns extend the detention period, aligning it with measures in the European Union under the European Pact on Migration and Asylum.
The justice system in 2025: an assessment
An assessment of the state of the justice system in 2025, reviewing the year's main developments, challenges and outcomes.
Read the decree that allows renewed residence permits not yet issued to remain valid
Link to the decree permitting renewed residence permits that have not yet been issued to retain their validity.
The Constitution must be addressed in this legislature
The CDS parliamentary leader rules out amending the Constitution specifically for the Nationality Law, but says the issue 'must be addressed in this legislature'.
A year that changed Portuguese politics
A review of the key events, decisions and figures over the past year that reshaped Portugal's political landscape.