Portugal News

As Portugal heads toward the crucial elections in May 2025, far-right parties are ramping up their anti-immigration rhetoric, using misleading statistics and fear tactics to sway voters. A widespread narrative falsely claims that all immigrants arriving in Portugal immediately receive state subsidies—an assertion that has been repeatedly debunked but continues to spread through social media and far-right political discourse.

The Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) has confirmed that the registered letters recently received by immigrants in Portugal, demanding payment for overdue fees, are authentic. The letters were sent to 170,000 people, including some who already hold residence permits, leading to confusion among recipients.

Anxiety is great among immigrants who have the residence permits in Portugal expired, as the decree that guarantees the acceptance of these documents expires on June 30.

Initially, the service will be available at the Citizens' Shops in Cascais, Saldanha, Laranjeiras and Setúbal, as well as in Braga, Lagos, Loures, Oeiras, Olhão and Porto.

Starting this Monday (17), immigrants will be able to access the Citizen's Mobile Key, a service that will be carried out at service desks opened in 10 locations across the country . The information was provided to media by the Ministries of Youth and Modernization and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, which worked together to implement the measure.

In statements to TSF, the former government official states that, even so, she understands the words of Jorge Miranda, who defended that anyone who wants to immigrate to Portugal must know how to speak Portuguese.

Ana Catarina Mendes, former minister responsible for immigration inAntónio Costa's government, understands the statements made by constitutionalist Jorge Miranda, but warns that not knowing how to speak Portuguese cannot be a reason to reject the entry of immigrants into Portugal

Initially, delivery is being made in Lisbon, but only for those who did not collect the card at the Post Office because they were not at home at the time of delivery.

Residence permits returned after attempted delivery by the Post Office will be delivered in person to immigrants. The call is being made via email and dozens have already been delivered this week. 

This work began in Lisbon, where the mission structure headquarters and the largest service center are located. There is a possibility of extending the delivery to Porto next week.

The European Commission has once again postponed the entry into force of ETIAS, which corresponds to a travel authorisation to move around the Schengen area. Tourists from 59 countries will have to apply.

When Will Europe Implement the Travel Permit for Tourists in the Schengen Area?

This will be the third general election in just three years.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced on Thursday the dissolution of Parliament and the calling of early legislative elections for May 18, two days after the ouster of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro . This will be the third general election in just three years.

In a TV address, the president justified the decision as a measure to guarantee the country's stability and stated that the chosen date “was preferred by the majority of parties”.

The fall of Luis Montenegro, who had faced corruption allegations, may trigger a snap election only 11 months after he took office

Portugal is likely to hold snap elections after Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s minority government lost a confidence vote in parliament, marking the country’s third early election in three years.

The confidence vote, held on Tuesday, followed allegations regarding Spinumviva, a data protection consultancy linked to Montenegro, according to The Guardian.

Former European Commissioner António Vitorino has criticized Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, accusing him of being "in the mud" and dragging the PSD, the Government, and now the country into the ongoing political crisis. His comments come as Portugal braces for a crucial confidence vote that could lead to early elections on May 11 or May 18, as announced by the President of the Republic.