Immigration Informative

✅ Portugal Immigration Rules – Key Changes ✅

Portugal has introduced stricter immigration rules under Law No. 62/2026, published on 10 September 2026 and effective from 11 September 2026.

🚫 Regularisation without a visa: The new law further restricts the possibility for foreigners to regularise their status in Portugal when they entered/stayed without the appropriate residence visa.
* 📚 Students: A residence permit may still be granted to secondary-school students and Level 4 students, but they must:
* Hold the required residence visa.
* Be enrolled in an educational institution.
* Meet the other legal requirements.
* Have access to the National Health Service or health insurance.
📅 Residence applications: Authorities should decide residence-permit applications within 90 days.
* This can be extended by another 30 days in exceptional and justified cases, particularly where the application is complex.
🔴 Important background: Portugal had already closed in 2024 the previous system that allowed certain foreigners to regularise their situation without first obtaining the appropriate residence visa.
🇪🇺 EU rules: The new law also implements several EU regulations and transposes EU directives concerning international protection, reception, and residence/work authorisation.

🚨 Bottom line: The direction of the new legislation is towards stricter legal-entry and visa requirements, with fewer opportunities for people already in Portugal to obtain residence through regularisation without the appropriate visa

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✅ A Call for your Valuable Support ✅

Due to the sudden, devastating flash flood and natural disaster that occurred in the Bhote Koshi River on 26 August 2026, Nepal is facing unprecedented loss of human lives and property. In this context, the Government of Nepal is conducting rescue, search, and relief operations in the affected areas of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha districts. We kindly request all compassionate individuals and organizations who wish to help can directly send contributions to the 'Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund' and the 'Prime Minister's Relief Fund.'

International Donors can visit the following link for transferring the funds to Prime Minister's Relief Fund directly:

Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund – Government of Nepal

✅ Renewal For Expired Resident Permit ✅

AIMA announces opening of Renewal Portal for expired Residence Permits.

In an online publication, AIMA reveals that the Renewals Portal, aimed at Residence Permits expiring in September and October 2026, is now open.

The agency states that those with Residence Permits set to expire between September and October 2026 must visit portal-renovacoes.aima.gov.pt to renew their Residence Permits.

According to AIMA, the agency will “continue working towards bringing forward the opening of the Portal to the coming months, in order to meet the needs of citizens.”

✅ Portugal rejects “aggressive policies against immigrants” ✅

Portugal has defended its moderate approach to immigration, rejecting the more aggressive anti-immigration policies being adopted in some European countries. Speaking ahead of the Ibero-American Forum on Migration and Development in Spain, Minister António Leitão Amaro said Portugal supports stricter controls, legal migration routes, and enhanced security checks, but remains committed to protecting fundamental rights and promoting the integration of immigrants.

The government aims to maintain safe and regulated immigration for work and study while ensuring that employers, public services, and communities help newcomers integrate. Portugal also supports “circular migration,” allowing migrants to work, gain skills, and eventually return to their home countries, benefiting both nations.

At the same time, Portugal wants greater cooperation from countries of origin in returning people who enter illegally. While acknowledging that immigration policies across Europe differ significantly, Leitão Amaro warned against extreme measures, such as offshore detention centres for migrants, arguing that they go beyond acceptable limits and may violate human rights. He believes Portugal’s balanced approach can help maintain social cohesion while avoiding the rise of more radical anti-immigration sentiment.

✅More Than 6,000 Immigrants Have Left Portugal✅

More than 6,000 immigrants have left Portugal since the beginning of 2026, with the number expected to increase in the coming weeks and months. The trend has been linked to recent immigration policy changes and ongoing difficulties surrounding residency permit applications and renewals.

Many immigrants have reported frustration with lengthy waiting times, administrative backlogs, and uncertainty regarding their legal status. Recent changes to Portugal's immigration framework have also created concerns among foreign residents, prompting some to seek opportunities in other European countries.

For many migrants, obtaining or renewing residency permits has become a complicated and time-consuming process. Delays in documentation and evolving immigration requirements have added to the challenges already posed by rising living costs and housing shortages.

Experts warn that if these issues persist, more immigrants may choose to leave Portugal. The departure of skilled workers and foreign residents could affect sectors that depend heavily on immigrant labor, including tourism, construction, agriculture, and services.

As Portugal continues to adjust its immigration policies, authorities face growing pressure to streamline residency procedures and provide greater clarity for those seeking to live and work in the country. With more than 6,000 immigrants already having left in 2026, observers expect the figure to rise further in the months ahead.

✅ Fake Address Documents Scheme Arrested ✅

Two men were arrested in Portugal over an alleged fake address document scheme.

🚨 Authorities say the suspects helped immigrants obtain residence permits illegally. 🚔

🚨 The accused, aged 42 and 64, allegedly created around 800 fake residency certificates.

🚨 Migrants were reportedly charged between €130 and €200 for each document. 💶

🚨 The operation was uncovered in Loures and Odivelas.

🚨 Portuguese investigators say the case is still ongoing.

✅ New Portuguese Nationality Law Is Official ✅

⚖️ According to lawyer Andre Lima, Portugal’s new nationality law has now been officially published and will start tomorrow (19).

🔹 Main changes:
✅ The waiting time to apply for citizenship increases from 5 years to 7 years for CPLP and EU citizens.
✅ For people from other countries, the requirement will now be 10 years of legal residency.
✅ Residency time will only count from the date of the Residence Permit/Title, not from the time spent waiting for AIMA.
✅ Children born in Portugal to foreign parents will have stricter requirements.
✅ Applicants may need to show knowledge of the Portuguese language, culture, history, and civic rules.
✅ Criminal records will be checked more carefully.

⚠️ People who already submitted their nationality applications are expected to follow the old law. However, those who have not yet applied may be affected by the new rules.

📌 Many foreigners who were close to completing 5 years of residency may now have to wait longer before they can apply

✅ Portuguese New Law Update From President ✅

The President approved the new nationality law, but he gave some warnings and conditions.

The government now has 90 days to create detailed rules explaining how the new law will work in practice. These rules will be checked again by the President.

The President said he approved the law because he believes:

✳️ The stricter rules and longer waiting times for citizenship should not harm important protections for immigrants and their children born in Portugal.
✳️ Children should still have access to healthcare and education.
✳️ People who already applied for nationality should not be unfairly affected by the new law.
✳️ Delays caused by the government should not increase the waiting time for nationality.

Difference Between the Laws

🚨 Nationality Law: Rules for getting Portuguese citizenship.
🚨 Foreigners/Immigration Law: Rules about entering, staying, and leaving Portuga

✅ Constitutional Court Rejected New Law ✅

Portugal’s Constitutional Court rejected a new law that would allow some dual nationals to lose Portuguese citizenship if they committed serious crimes and received a prison sentence of 5 years or more.

The law would only apply to people who:

✳️ Have dual nationality,
✳️ Obtained Portuguese citizenship,
✳️ And committed crimes within 15 years after becoming Portuguese citizens.

The Court said the law was unconstitutional, so the President did not approve it and sent it back to Parliament.

🚨 Nationality Law = rules for getting Portuguese citizenship.
🚨 Immigration Law = rules for foreigners entering, staying, or leaving Portugal.