Latest news and stories about sham marriages in Portugal for expats and residents.
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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 2024 abolition of the 'expression of interest' mechanism has led to a surge in sham marriages used to obtain residency permits, according to the Judiciary Police (PJ), which opened a record 177 investigations in 2025. The PJ attributes this rise to foreign nationals seeking alternative legal pathways after the revocation of the mechanism, which previously allowed those on tourist visas to gain residency through tax contributions. These marriages are often used as a stepping stone to obtain a residence permit for free movement within the Schengen Area and, eventually, Portuguese citizenship, after which many divorce their spouses to pursue family reunification. The mechanism was originally created in 2017 under the António Costa administration and abolished in June 2024 by the government led by Luís Montenegro.
In 2025, the PJ recorded a record number of 177 new investigations into the crime of sham marriage.
