The Portuguese government has announced a major enforcement initiative that will see more than 18,000 immigrants ordered to leave the country in the coming months due to irregularities in their legal status. The decision, revealed in official communications and reported by News, marks a significant step in Portugal's evolving immigration policy as the government seeks to ensure compliance with national and EU-level migration laws.
Beginning next week, approximately 4,500 of these individuals will be formally notified of their requirement to exit the country by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), the governmental body responsible for overseeing immigration procedures in Portugal.
Enforcement Actions Target Irregular Migrants
This large-scale action stems from a recent analysis conducted by Portuguese authorities reviewing the legal status of approximately 110,000 foreign nationals currently residing in the country. While the majority of these individuals are believed to be living in Portugal legally, officials have identified thousands who are in breach of immigration laws or who have failed to meet the criteria for legal stay either in Portugal or elsewhere in the European Union.
According to AIMA and government officials, notifications will be sent to individuals who:
Have overstayed visas or residence permits,
Have violated the terms of their residency,
Entered Portugal illegally or without valid documentation,
Failed to comply with EU-wide immigration regulations.
The government has stressed that while Portugal remains committed to welcoming legal migrants and upholding its humanitarian responsibilities, it must also enforce laws to ensure orderly migration and the integrity of the asylum and residency system.
Consequences for Non-Compliance
Foreign nationals who are notified by AIMA will be expected to leave Portugal voluntarily. Those who fail to comply with the expulsion orders face forced deportation and may be subjected to bans on re-entry into Portugal and other Schengen Area countries.
Authorities have emphasized the importance of leaving the country through legal and regulated channels to avoid more severe legal consequences. The current policy push reflects broader efforts within the EU to streamline immigration enforcement and prevent unauthorized stays, especially amid growing pressure on social services and migration infrastructure.
Brazilian Nationals Among the Most Affected
Brazilians, who represent the largest foreign community in Portugal with over 150,000 legal residents, are among those expected to be most impacted by the enforcement campaign. Although exact figures have not been disclosed, it is believed that a significant portion of those facing expulsion may be Brazilian nationals.
Recent data from Portugal's 2024 Annual Homeland Security Report reveals a sharp increase in the number of Brazilians refused entry into the country. In 2023, 179 Brazilians were denied entry. That figure surged to 1,400 in 2024 — a staggering increase of over 700 percent.
The main reasons for entry refusals included:
Lack of a valid or appropriate visa,
Inability to justify the purpose of travel,
Suspicion of intending to overstay or work illegally.
A report by O Globo also highlighted that, out of approximately 1,700 people barred from entering Portugal in 2024, the majority were Brazilian nationals. In 2023, of the 373 individuals refused entry, 47 percent were Brazilians.
Stricter Residency Rules Now in Effect
This recent development follows AIMA’s earlier announcement that, as of April 28, 2025, stricter regulations would be applied to the granting and renewal of residence permits. These changes are aimed at improving the vetting process for applications and ensuring that only individuals who meet the updated legal and administrative requirements can continue to reside in Portugal.
Key aspects of the new regulations include:
Tighter deadlines for documentation submission,
Enhanced scrutiny of employment contracts and housing conditions,
Reduced leniency for applicants who fail to meet basic eligibility criteria.
The aim is to reduce the backlog of irregular applications and prevent the misuse of Portugal’s historically lenient immigration system, which has been under strain in recent years due to high volumes of applicants.
Portugal Balancing Openness with Regulation
Portugal has long been regarded as one of Europe’s more welcoming countries for immigrants, particularly from Portuguese-speaking nations. However, in recent years, the country has experienced rising concerns about unregulated migration, overstays, and administrative delays in processing legal residency.
The government insists that the latest measures are not intended to discourage legal migration but rather to ensure a fair and orderly process. Officials reaffirm that Portugal continues to value its diverse immigrant population and remains open to those who wish to contribute to its society and economy through legal means.
What Immigrants in Portugal Should Know
Foreign nationals currently residing in Portugal — particularly those awaiting permit renewals or with pending applications — are strongly advised to:
Review the validity of their current documentation,
Ensure timely renewals or appeals,
Seek legal advice if they have received or expect to receive a notice from AIMA,
Avoid overstaying or engaging in unauthorized work.
The Portuguese government is expected to continue its review of the 110,000 immigrant cases in the coming months, and further rounds of notifications may follow.
As Portugal enforces a new era of migration oversight, foreign nationals are urged to remain vigilant, informed, and proactive in securing and maintaining their legal residency status.
