Brazilians Face Mass Expulsion as Portugal Tightens Immigration Policies

Portugal’s government has started a large-scale process to remove undocumented immigrants, with official figures showing 23,500 rejected residency applications as of early May 2025.

Of these, authorities have already notified 4,500 people to leave the country within 20 days. Officials expect this number to rise as the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) continues to process pending cases.

The government’s decision comes just before national elections and follows a broader European trend of stricter migration policies. The Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, confirmed the expulsion plan, which targets those whose applications for residence permits did not meet legal requirements.

The government has ended the “manifestation of interest” pathway, which previously allowed migrants to regularize their status through employment and social security contributions.

This change means that many people who entered Portugal and sought to stay through this route now face removal. Portugal’s foreign-born population has grown rapidly, with more than 393,000 Brazilians living in the country by late 2023.

Brazilians form the largest immigrant group, followed by other nationalities. The government approved 123,000 residence permits out of nearly 447,000 pending requests, but a significant portion—about 27.5%—did not meet the criteria or failed to complete the process.

Authorities also canceled 171,000 applications due to non-payment of required fees. Portugal’s new immigration law, effective February 2025, aims to standardize permit validity for all nationalities and modernize border controls.

The law also aligns with European Union standards, introducing new biometric data protocols and a stronger Entry/Exit System. The government has transferred migration enforcement duties to new agencies and police forces, seeking more control and coordination at borders.

For businesses, these changes mean a tighter labor market, especially in sectors that rely on migrant workers. The crackdown may also affect Portugal’s demographic trends, as immigrants have helped offset population decline.

The government insists that only those meeting legal requirements can stay, emphasizing the need for order and compliance.

This article was drafted with automated assistance and reviewed before publication. How we use AI · Report an error