Emigrants have to travel hundreds of kilometres to vote: 'No love of country can withstand it'
Voting in presidential elections remains strictly in person, and the abstention rate among citizens abroad has consistently stayed above 90%.
Update: Reporting highlights that emigrants frequently must travel hundreds of kilometres to reach polling stations in order to vote — a distance many say they cannot afford or manage: “No love of country can withstand it,” one expatriate commented. Analysts and rights groups say the in‑person‑only requirement effectively disenfranchises large numbers of expats and helps explain the persistently high abstention rate, prompting renewed calls for policy changes such as expanded polling locations abroad, postal voting or secure electronic options; authorities acknowledge logistical and legal hurdles but have not set a timetable for reforms.
António Costa misses meeting with Lula da Silva but will attend signing of EU–Mercosur agreement
The issue was the cancellation of a connecting flight between Frankfurt and São Paulo, which prevented the President of the European Council from travelling to Brussels.
Hotels oppose alcohol consumption limits in Lisbon
Home News Hotels oppose alcohol consumption limits in Lisbon Hotels oppose alcohol consumption limits in Lisbon The Secretary-General of AHRESP \- the Portuguese Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Establishments - today considered the ban on the sale of beverages for consumption outsi
CPLP prepares mission to Guinea-Bissau after coup
The executive secretary reaffirms plans to send a mission to the Portuguese-speaking country and demands the release of detainees and respect for the Constitution. ECOWAS has already carried out two visits to Bissau.
Portugal temporarily closes embassy in Tehran
All Portuguese nationals in Iran have been contacted, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Eight are reported to have already left Iranian territory and ten preferred to remain.
Strategic importance of Lajes Air Base reiterated at Portugal–US meeting
At the Portugal–United States meeting, participants reiterated the strategic importance of Lajes Air Base in the Azores for defence and transatlantic operations.
TAP. New buyer expected to be chosen by the summer
Pinto Luz says the Government had a different understanding of the deal, since it “ideologically believes” in a total divestment; even so, he sees a 49.9% privatisation as increasing the company's value.
Government monitors Portuguese citizens in Iran and the situation in Greenland
Two Portuguese nationals have asked the government for help to leave Iran because of the instability in the country.
Pinto Luz brings forward the choice of TAP's new buyer to be made by the summer
The deadline for submitting non-binding proposals to acquire a minority stake in the airline expires on 2 April.
Minister expects to choose TAP's new buyer by summer
The Infrastructure minister said the Government had a different understanding of the deal, since it 'ideologically believes' in a 100% privatisation.
Government says it has "not reduced border control by a millimetre"
The government stressed the need to preserve its credibility after disruptions at Lisbon Airport.
Government assures it has "not reduced border control by one millimetre"
The Government said it “has not reduced border control by one millimetre” after suspending the new European model following problems at Lisbon Airport, and stressed that it is necessary to preserve its credibility. “We suspended it to rethink the model. The challenge is at a European level. The Government has not reduced border control by one millimetre,” ...
Governo assegura "não ter diminuído um milímetro" o controlo de fronteiras no Aeroporto de Lisboa
Government says it has "not reduced border control by a millimetre"
The Government said today it had “not reduced border control by a millimetre” when it suspended the new European model following disruptions at Lisbon Airport, and stressed the need to preserve credibility.
15:00 — Two Portuguese in Iran ask the Portuguese government for help to leave the country
Two Portuguese citizens currently in Iran have requested assistance from the Portuguese government to depart the country.
Two Portuguese nationals have asked for help to leave Iran
Paulo Rangel said he is monitoring the situation of the “residual” Portuguese community living in the country beset by protests. For now, the cases do not give cause for concern for the minister.
Government says "there are few Portuguese in Iran"
There are already records of Portuguese nationals who have sought help to leave Iran because of the situation in that country, the Foreign Minister said.
EU Entry/Exit system tested at Lisbon airport
Portuguese outlets report the European border control system for non‑EU travellers (the Entry/Exit System, EES) has been reactivated for testing at Lisbon Airport (Aeroporto de Lisboa) after a temporary suspension; police sources told Lusa there will be an afternoon test to assess recent fixes. Separate reporting said the system could be re‑activated then suspended again while improvements are confirmed, and earlier problems were linked to long queues. For expats and travellers: expect possible delays at passport control for non‑EU nationals, check your flight and airline notices before travel, allow extra time at the airport and carry passport and supporting documents for faster processing.
The Entry-Exit System (Sistema de Entrada e Saída) is an EU border-register that records biometric data (fingerprints and a facial image) and travel details for short-stay non‑EU travellers, replacing passport stamping and creating a searchable entry/exit record. According to recent reporting, the new rules now require over a third of non‑EU nationals entering Schengen to provide this extra data at the border; the aim is to improve security and migration tracking, but travellers should be prepared to submit biometrics at kiosks or border control and ensure their travel documents are valid. For expats and visitors this usually means slightly longer checks on arrival/departure and more robust digital records of your travel history.
The border-control system is the set of checks and databases used to process non-EU travellers at entry points — passport and visa checks, biometric data capture and automated database searches such as the Schengen Information System (SIS) and the Entry/Exit System (EES). A temporary suspension of automated checks at Lisbon Airport means those arrivals may be processed differently (more manual checks or national procedures), which can change wait times, administrative workload and how security checks are carried out for non‑EU citizens.
Two Portuguese nationals asked for help to leave Iran due to the violence
The Foreign Minister said the Portuguese government is monitoring the situation of all Portuguese nationals residing in Iran.
Government seeks to secure release of Portuguese political prisoners held in Venezuela
The government is reportedly pursuing diplomatic and legal channels to obtain the release of Portuguese nationals detained in Venezuela on political charges.
Portugal citizens ask to leave Iran
Home News Portugal citizens ask to leave Iran Portugal citizens ask to leave Iran Two Portuguese citizens who were in Iran have asked the Portuguese government for help to leave, given the violence affecting the country, and the government is monitoring the community, which is “very small,” accor
Daughters of Portuguese-descended man detained in Venezuela question Portuguese government
The daughters of the Portuguese-descended man detained in Venezuela, Juan Ramos, demand that the Portuguese government explain what measures are being taken to secure the release of the detainees. On Saturday several Venezuelan and foreign political prisoners were freed, but none of the four detained Portuguese nationals appear on the list.
Von der Leyen wants to finalise a trade agreement with India at the end of the month
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will travel to New Delhi at the end of January for the EU–India summit with the explicit aim of finalising a long‑sought EU–India trade agreement. Having concluded the Mercosur talks, von der Leyen says the Commission is working intensively to wrap up negotiations, a move with significant economic and geopolitical implications for EU trade policy and relations with India.
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