Recent updates to Portugal’s Foreigners Law in 2024 introduce several significant changes aimed at streamlining immigration processes and addressing challenges faced by immigrants and foreign residents:
- Family Reunification: The Portuguese government has introduced new measures to expedite the resolution of family reunification applications, coordinated with municipalities and local immigrant support offices to handle pending cases more efficiently.
- Changes to Residence Periods: Even though it has yet to be ruled, it is expected that the five-year period required for acquiring Portuguese nationality now starts from the date an applicant submits their residency application or from the date an application is approved, rather than from the date the first residency permit is issued. This change will only be clear once the Regulation is published.
- Nationality for Descendants of Sephardic Jews: New rules now require descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews to prove their connection to Portugal and have a legal residence in Portugal for at least three years. This requirement aims to ensure a stronger connection to the country before granting nationality.
- Restructuring of Immigration Services: The former Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) has been restructured into the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA), in close partnership with the Centros Locais de Apoio à Integração de Migrantes (Rede CLAIM). This new agency is tasked with improving the efficiency of immigration services and addressing backlogs in pending cases.
- Enhanced Support for Immigrants: New initiatives include the development of temporary installation centers for immigrants, promoting professional training and integration of immigrants into the labor market, and expanding the capacity of reception centers for asylum seekers and refugees. Additionally, there is a focus on improving access to the National Health Service and offering multilingual support materials.
These changes reflect Portugal’s ongoing efforts to modernize its immigration framework, improve service delivery, and address the needs of a growing immigrant population. For those navigating these processes, it is advisable to seek assistance from knowledgeable legal professionals to ensure compliance with the new regulations and to facilitate smoother transitions.
