Azores to support immigrants' entry into the region
The measure, described as “without any ideological character”, aims to tackle the ageing of the region's working-age population by investing in training for immigrants in collaboration with AIMA.
Azores Parliament speeds up support for the arrival of new immigrants in the region
The move aims to tackle the shortage of labour in the archipelago.
Without immigrants, some municipalities would fall into 'functional collapse'
Experts warn that in certain Portuguese municipalities the population and workforce would shrink so drastically without immigrants that essential services and local economies — including health and social care, agriculture, construction and municipal services — could break down, leaving communities unable to function normally.
Monthly fees at care homes soar due to labour shortages
Portuguese reporting indicates a sharp rise in monthly fees at some care homes — increases of roughly €500 — driven largely by a persistent labour shortage and higher operating costs. The hikes are prompting families to withdraw elderly relatives, intensifying pressure on informal care networks and raising equity and access concerns for vulnerable patients. Economically, the trend highlights how rising labour costs and constrained staffing can be passed directly to users in minimally regulated markets, with implications for social policy, funding models and workforce recruitment/retention. Separately, French coverage notes a demobilisation of farmers’ protests in Paris, underscoring a wider context of labour and sectoral tensions across services and primary production.
Traditional cuisine sacrificed for more profitable alternatives
The restaurant sector in Portugal is experiencing difficulties. Several factors are contributing: rising costs of raw materials, a shortage of labour, a heavy tax burden and a decline in Portuguese purchasing power.
Your favourite restaurant may be at risk: a 'serious crisis' has set in
The restaurant industry is experiencing a crisis. Daniel Serra of Pro.Var — the National Association of Restaurants — explains how 2025 was a “tragic” year for the sector, with sharp rises in the prices of raw materials. In addition, there are difficulties recruiting labour, especially immigrant workers. “Just yesterday [Wednesday] I saw a restaurant close because it had no staff,” he said.
Discover the award-winning Lisbon project that is changing the future for newcomers to Portugal
Winner of the National Tourism Award 2025 in the Community Tourism category, Mezze Escola is transforming how Lisbon integrates migrants into the tourism sector by combining technical training, social inclusion, and a direct response to the labour shortage in the restaurant industry.
