Latest news and stories about residency fraud in legal in Portugal for expats and residents.
Authorities have dismantled a criminal network led by two sisters that allegedly facilitated sham marriages to help immigrants obtain Portuguese residency. The operation, which involves 158 suspects, reportedly generated 2 million euros, with each marriage costing approximately 30,000 euros.
The Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) has dismantled a criminal network responsible for thousands of fraudulent immigrant regularizations, including approximately 10,000 Brazilian nationals. Investigations revealed that many of these individuals were registered as workers in Portugal while actually employed in other European countries.
The PJ (Polícia Judiciária) is Portugal's national criminal investigation police agency, founded in 1945. Operating under the Ministry of Justice and supervised by the Public Ministry (prosecutors), the PJ is a "higher criminal police body" specializing in serious and complex crimes. Mission: The PJ assists judicial and prosecuting authorities by investigating terrorism, organized crime, homicide, kidnapping, drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, financial crime, and money laundering. It conducts forensic examinations, operates Portugal's Interpol and Europol liaison offices, and maintains specialized units including the National Counterterrorism Unit and National Anti-Corruption Unit. Difference from PSP/GNR: While PSP (civilian urban police) and GNR (military rural police) focus on preventive policing, public order, and investigating minor crimes, the PJ exclusively handles serious crime investigation requiring specialized technical and scientific expertise. PSP and GNR report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs; PJ reports to the Ministry of Justice. PJ officers receive higher pay and prestige but face greater operational risk.
/https://i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2025/4/C/487nhoS0iuDs7Qw4u95A/1000039746.jpg)
The 26 individuals accused of belonging to a network that used false addresses in Penha de França, Lisbon, to legalise immigrants have received suspended sentences for aiding illegal immigration, document forgery, and abuse of power. The verdict was delivered this Wednesday, July 15. The court did not find sufficient evidence for the charge of criminal association, ruling that there was no complex organisation or leadership structure. Consequently, 25 defendants were convicted of aiding illegal immigration and document forgery, while one defendant, a parish council employee, was convicted of abuse of power. All sentences are under five years and were therefore suspended. The scheme, which involved using addresses provided by others in exchange for money to obtain erroneous residency certificates from the Penha de França Parish Council, was reported by the council itself in 2022.
The PJ’s counter terrorism unit has today arrested two men, strongly suspected of having set up a network to aid illegal immigration into Portugal. Among the numerous crimes understood to The post PJ arrest two on suspicion of falsifying up to 800 residency certificates appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The Judiciary Police (PJ) arrested two suspects on Tuesday (May 19) for crimes including criminal association, aiding illegal immigration, and document forgery to regularise foreign citizens. The men, aged 42 and 64, allegedly created an organised structure to fraudulently obtain 800 residency certificates by providing false addresses and witnesses to local authorities. They charged between 130 and 200 euros per person, exploiting vulnerable foreign nationals. The investigation, led by the Loures DIAP, involved seven search and seizure warrants in Loures and Odivelas. The suspects will face a judicial interrogation to determine coercive measures. Separately, the Public Prosecutor's Office has charged 15 individuals and six companies with over 2,200 counts of aiding illegal immigration.
