LISBON — Portugal’s parliament has approved a controversial tightening of immigration laws, restricting access to work visas and family reunification in a move that underscores shifting political winds in one of Europe’s fastest-growing immigrant destinations, according to ORF News.
The reforms, championed by the center-right government and passed Friday with support from the far-right, will limit new work visas to highly skilled applicants. Officials argue the measure is necessary to manage rising migration and protect the country’s social services, while critics warn it risks undermining Portugal’s reputation as one of Western Europe’s more open societies.
The bill is a revised version of legislation first adopted in July. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa vetoed that draft after the Constitutional Court raised concerns about family reunification rules. Lawmakers have now amended those provisions.
Under the new law, foreign residents may only apply to bring family members after two years of legal residence. Exceptions apply to minor children, and shorter waiting periods will be granted to married couples.
The changes will be felt most acutely by Brazilians, who form Portugal’s largest immigrant community. Until now, many Brazilians were granted residency almost automatically upon arrival thanks to historic and linguistic ties. That pathway has now been shut.
The legislation also establishes a new police unit dedicated to combating illegal immigration and deporting those without valid residency status.
Portugal has experienced a dramatic demographic shift in recent years. Official statistics show the foreign-born population reached more than 1.5 million by the end of 2024 — nearly four times the figure in 2017 and now roughly 15 percent of the nation’s total population.
For supporters, the new law represents overdue control in the face of rapid change. For critics, it marks a sharp departure from the openness that once set Portugal apart.
