Immigration
Visas, residency permits, AIMA processing times, and the policy shifts that affect your status.
Why Some Self-Employed Immigrants Are Denied Residency Despite Being Current on Social Security
A compliance certificate confirms Social Security payments are up to date, but AIMA evaluates income, tax standing, and contributions as separate requirements, a Lisbon-based lawyer says.
Seguro Faces Decision on Immigration Bill That Would Repeal Tacit Approval for Residence Permits
Immigration bill ending "deferimento tácito" for residence renewals now awaits Seguro's promulgation or veto after the Constitutional Court referral deadline passes.
Portugal's Economy Minister: "Wide-Open Doors" Didn't Work, But Workers Are Welcome
Manuel Castro Almeida told reporters this week that unrestricted immigration hasn't served Portugal well, while arguing Portugal should remain open to immigrants who already have a job and housing arranged.
A New Migration Law Reaches the President. The Same Path Has Ended in Court Twice Before.
Parliament passed a law transposing the EU's migration and asylum pact on July 17. It has now reached President Seguro, who has until August to promulgate it, veto it, or send it to the Constitutional Court.
Portugal Moves to Redistribute AIMA Cases and Create Specialized Immigration Courts
The government approved sending AIMA lawsuits to courts nationwide instead of concentrating them in Lisbon, and proposed specialized immigration and asylum court divisions. Parliament rejected a nearly identical plan five months ago.
Portugal's Immigration Crackdown Is Colliding With Its Own Housing Plan
Foreign workers account for roughly 30% of Portugal's construction workforce. Since 2024, the government has repeatedly tightened immigration rules amid growing political pressure following Chega's electoral gains, just as it needs those same workers most to build 150,000 homes.
Lawyer Arrested Over €1.2M Golden Visa Fraud
A 58-year-old lawyer in Odivelas allegedly gained access to 33 foreign clients' bank accounts and drained roughly €1.2 million under the pretext of speeding up their Golden Visa applications.
AIMA Will Start Issuing Your Social Security Number on the Spot
From the end of July, immigrants who regularize their status at AIMA will have their NISS assigned in real time, ending a two-trip ritual that sent roughly 250,000 people to Social Security counters last year.
Tax Official Among Five Arrested in Scheme That Fraudulently "Regularized" Thousands of Migrants
Operation "Neblina Atlântica" allegedly used fake employment records to legalize migrants who were actually living in Belgium, France, and Switzerland.
Parliament Advances "Burqa Ban" on Face Coverings with Chega's Votes
The so-called "burqa law" passed committee stage, reframed around security rather than religion.
Immigrants Now Make Up a Fifth of Social Security Contributors, Government Data Shows
The Labour Minister defended migration numbers this week, pointing to a growing contribution surplus backed by new national and regional data.
Third Time's the Charm? AD Tries Again on the Loss-of-Nationality Penalty
The Constitutional Court has struck down the same measure twice, unanimously. Now the coalition splits on what to do next.
Three Years Late, PSD Breaks With Chega to Pass Statelessness Statute
Livre and Bloco wanted a fast-track to citizenship after four years of residency; the PSD's final text strips that out.
AIMA Cracks Down on Fake Rental Contracts for Residency Cards
A Porto man faces charges for allegedly forging hundreds of lease agreements. Plus: AIMA opens a new desk in Guimarães.
The PSD Power Struggle Nobody Is Talking About, and Why Expats Should Be Worried
Montenegro declared victory in today's party vote, but the Passos Coelho faction sitting it out signals a harder-right challenge to Portugal's relatively open immigration posture.