A total of 18,000 foreigners will have to leave Portugal in the following months, the government of Portugal has announced.
In addition, the government announced that next week it will notify about 4,500 immigrants to leave Portugal, Schengen agreement. News reports.
In the coming months, 18,000 immigrants will be notified by Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) of their expulsion from Portugal.
Portugal will send these notifications to those who do not have permission to stay in this country legally, either because they violated Portugal’s immigration rules or didn’t comply with the rules of other EU countries.
The recent measure, according to local media reports, is part of an analysis conducted in Portugal, concerning the conditions of stay of a total of 110,000 internationals who are currently staying in Portugal.
The government of Portugal said that it is likely that the majority of this number are staying in the country in a legal way, however, immigrants in an irregular situation will be notified, stressing that if they do not leave Portugal in a legal way, they will be deported.
Brazilians Among the Most Affected Ones
Brazilian immigrants, who account for the largest share of foreign nationals in Portugal, with over 150,000 residents, will also be affected by the recent decision.
The Brazilian Embassy in Portugal is closely monitoring the issue, in direct contact with local authorities.
It is still unclear how many Brazilians will be affected by these changes; however, the most common nationality among those refused entry to enter in Portugal.
The number of Brazilians refused entry to Portugal marked a notable increase in the past few years. While the number stood at 179 in 2023, in 2024 it reached 1,400, accounting for a surge of over 700 per cent, based on the statistics from the 2024 Annual Homeland Security Report of Portugal.
Among the reasons why Brazilians were refused entry to Portugal were failing to provide a valid reason for the stay or obtaining an incorrect or expired visa.
A report from O Globo noted that in 2024, about 1,700 people were prohibited from entering Portugal, the majority of them were Brazilians.
In contrast, in 2023, only 373 people were refused entry to Portugal, 47 per cent of whom were nationals of Brazil.
Earlier this year, Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) announced that from April 28, 2025, rules for granting and renewing residence permits would be tightened.