Latest news and stories about expat rights in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
An analytical look at the recurring trend of AIMA overturning deportation orders, highlighting the ongoing challenges regarding expat residency rights and permit regulations.
Guinean students holding valid visas are facing detention, humiliation, and forced repatriation, highlighting systemic failures and aggressive practices in border control.
Brazilian President Lula visits Lisbon for diplomatic meetings, with discussions expected to address disagreements regarding Portuguese nationality law and bilateral relations.
Brazilian expatriates in Portugal are raising concerns over immigration law changes, rising xenophobia, and administrative backlogs at AIMA ahead of President Lula da Silva's visit, urging diplomatic intervention.
The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has reopened its online portal for family reunification applications just before the Brazilian President's visit to Portugal.
Thousands of workers gathered in Lisbon for a CGTP-led demonstration to protest against the government's proposed labour package, citing concerns over wage stagnation, reduced rights, and increased job precariousness.
The European Union has fully implemented its new Entry/Exit System, replacing physical passport stamps with mandatory digital biometric registration for non-EU citizens to enhance Schengen Area border security.
Psychologist Juliana Ribeiro de Souza Revoredo is researching the emotional and professional impact on Brazilian lawyers following the sudden termination of the reciprocity agreement between the Brazilian and Portuguese Bar Associations in 2023.
Joom CEO Ilya Shirokov warns that proposed changes to Portugal's nationality law create market uncertainty and hinder the recruitment of international talent, noting that the company has already lost potential candidates to Germany.
Mafalda Guerra, a Chega activist, was dismissed following an RTP investigation that uncovered her properties being utilized as illegal housing for immigrants in Lisbon. The report raised significant concerns regarding the legality of the rentals and the implications for immigrant communities.
More than a hundred people demonstrated in downtown Lisbon, organized by CGTP, to demand gender equality and oppose a labor package perceived to worsen women's working conditions. The protest featured slogans advocating for equal pay and rights, with participants highlighting ongoing disparities in the workplace. CGTP leaders emphasized the need for legislative changes to uphold constitutional rights for women, especially in light of the upcoming International Women's Day.
A military flight carrying 39 passengers, including 24 Portuguese nationals, has successfully arrived in Lisbon as part of efforts to evacuate citizens amid the ongoing conflict in Iran. In response to the situation, Portugal is contemplating a new repatriation flight from Saudi Arabia to ensure the safety of its citizens abroad.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Lisbon and Porto to protest against the government's proposed changes to the labour law, known as the 'Work XXI' reform. Led by the CGTP union, the protests highlighted concerns that the reforms would negatively impact workers' rights. CGTP's Secretary-General, Tiago Oliveira, called for the government to withdraw the labour package, emphasizing its detrimental effects on the workforce.
The president of the Cascais City Council, Nuno Piteira Lopes, has formed a new coalition with Chega after the previous agreement with the Socialist Party (PS) fell apart. This strategic move aims to secure a majority in the Municipal Chamber, marking a significant shift in local governance dynamics.
Moedas has secured an absolute majority with former Chega members, raising questions about the implications for Lisbon's political landscape and whether this shift marks the end of certain political red lines.
The Brazilian Consulate in Lisbon has initiated a campaign aimed at raising awareness and providing guidance on women's rights and combating gender-based violence. This initiative involves posting videos on social media twice a week, focusing on outreach and public safety for women.
SOS Racismo says a young São Toméan, Samuel Edi, remains detained at Lisbon Airport “without knowing the factual or legal reasons,” and alleges he was “brutally assaulted” by police. The PSP rejects the claims, denying any unprovoked assaults or mistreatment. The case reflects a direct dispute between an advocacy group and law enforcement, raising questions about transparency, detainee rights, and the need for an independent inquiry or clear official documentation to establish what occurred.
The Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities attributed the need for immigrants this Thursday to Portugal's “success”, as they perform jobs that nationals “do not want or cannot do”. Emídio Sousa was speaking during the Portugal Global Nation Forum, a strategic platform connecting Portugal, its diaspora, and international markets.
The Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities argued that Portugal needs immigration to meet market needs and rejected the idea that the arrival of foreigners in the country is putting downward pressure on wages.
Brazilians living in Lisbon have begun receiving the first identity cards issued through a pilot project for citizens residing abroad. The initiative, a partnership between the Federal District Civil Police, the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to integrate RG and CPF numbers and simplify access to Brazilian government digital services. The new card will replace the old paper version by 2032, with a priority deadline of 2028 for those receiving social benefits. The service is currently available by appointment via the E-Consular portal, with plans to expand to Paraguay in June.
The Brazilian consulate in Lisbon is already the largest in Europe. The representation, responsible for a jurisdiction with more than 360,000 Brazilians, has created the Brazilian Women's Space and is hiring.
The deadline for Brazilian voters in Portugal and abroad to regularise their electoral status is approaching. Until May 6th, voters can justify absences, request a transfer of their electoral domicile to an overseas zone, or apply for their first voter ID card. The process is entirely online. Voting in Brazil is mandatory for citizens aged 18 and over, and a regularised status is required for passport renewal. With presidential elections scheduled for October, Lisbon is preparing for a record number of voters, with additional polling stations at the University of Lisbon to prevent the long queues seen in 2022.
Brazilians living in Portugal have until the deadline to update their voter registration status.
Parents accuse the Famões Parish Community Centre in Odivelas of illegal actions and discriminating against a child with a disability. The non-profit organisation claims the boy's aggressive behaviour compromises the rights of other children. The Portuguese Autism Federation receives daily requests for help from parents of children excluded from the school system.
The president and vice-president of the Casa do Brasil in Lisbon met with the Brazilian and Portuguese leaders at the Belém Palace, where they discussed the situation of immigrants.
PRESS REVIEW | There are reports of a lack of bathing facilities and food shortages, with meals arriving late and in insufficient quantities.
Documentation presented by the students was reportedly insufficient to guarantee entry authorisation into the country. Five other young people were repatriated this Tuesday. The Association of Guinea-Bissau Students in Lisbon states that the young people are unable to bathe and there is not enough food for everyone.
Lula da Silva concluded his European tour in Portugal, highlighting the historical ties between the two nations and the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. During meetings with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, Lula used charismatic gestures, such as ordering a 'bica' (a Portuguese espresso), to strengthen diplomatic relations. While the visit focused on trade, multilateralism, and UN reform, it also touched upon the integration of the Brazilian community in Portugal, despite some expectations for more forceful government action on immigration issues. The visit concluded with lighthearted remarks about a potential Brazil-Portugal World Cup final.
Minister of Internal Administration Luís Neves faced a parliamentary hearing where he reaffirmed his stance that there is no direct link between immigration and crime, while promising to be “absolutely inflexible” regarding abuses by security forces. Despite receiving rare praise from the Chega party, Neves maintained his principles on diversity and the economic necessity of immigrants, while distancing himself from the policies of his predecessors and addressing concerns regarding police staffing and conduct.
