The social mobility subsidy (subsídio de mobilidade social, SSM) helps residents of the Azores and Madeira cover the cost of required air travel to the mainland or between islands. On 18 February 2026 the Assembly approved in general terms proposals to waive the requirement for regularised contributory status for SSM access for air travel, so people without regular social security contributions may become eligible once the measure is finalised.

Portugal's return law governs the procedures for removing third-country nationals who are in the country irregularly, implementing the EU's Return Directive (2008/115/EC). It sets out the rules for deportation orders, voluntary departure periods, entry bans, and detention of irregular migrants pending removal.

Changes to the return law have been a recurring point of political debate, particularly around the balance between enforcement and rights protections. Amendments can affect the length of voluntary departure periods, the grounds for detention, and the procedural safeguards available to those subject to removal orders.

The law is administered by AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo), which replaced the former SEF in handling immigration enforcement and integration services.