Latest news and stories about legal reforms in immigration in Portugal for expats and residents.
Following the release of a report, the Left Bloc has called on the Government to explain and justify its policies for integrating immigrants.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.
Chega voted against all the bills, while CDS abstained on the bill from the government's coalition partner, PSD.
Following a petition, Parliament will debate how the period applicants wait for the document conferring nationality should be counted.
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.

A critique of nativist forces mounting a last stand against the right to seek asylum.

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.

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.

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 ...

PSD, PS, Livre and BE have presented legislative proposals to regulate the statelessness status that has been pending since 2023.

The PSD and Livre parties have aligned on legislative proposals aimed at making it easier for stateless individuals to obtain residency in Portugal.
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.

The legislation provides for access to nationality for stateless persons after four years of legal residence in the country.

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

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.

An assessment of the state of the justice system in 2025, reviewing the year's main developments, challenges and outcomes.

Link to the decree permitting renewed residence permits that have not yet been issued to retain their validity.
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 review of the key events, decisions and figures over the past year that reshaped Portugal's political landscape.
