Immigration Informative

✅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.

✅ 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.

✅ Nationality Law Only Affects New Applications ✅

The Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN) explained that applications will be judged based on the rules that were in place when they were submitted. This means that people who applied before the new law was approved will still be evaluated under the old rules, including the shorter residency period required in Portugal.

The President of Portugal, António José Seguro, also said that the transition should be handled carefully so that people with pending applications are not unfairly affected by the new law. He stressed that changing the rules for ongoing applications could damage people’s trust in the Portuguese government, both inside and outside the country.

✅ Tourist to Convert Into Portuguese Student Visa ✅

AIMA has introduced a simpler way for vocational students in Portugal to apply for residency permits without going through the courts. Students can now book appointments and submit documents—such as passports, enrollment proof, and tuition receipts—through a digital system.

This change helps reduce court workload and makes the process clearer, but only applies to courses certified by DGERT. While not a legal change, it is especially useful for immigrants, including many Brazilians, who enter on tourist visas and switch to student status.

The success of this system will depend on how well AIMA handles increased demand without causing delays.