What is Portugal´s new Immigration Policy?
- Portugal Business News - Valerie Charoux
- May 29
- 2 min read
Immigration News Europe - Here is Portugal´s new Immigration Policy, according to a Government announcement dated May 28th, 2026:
What is Portugal´s new Immigration Policy in 2026?
Portugal´s new Immigration Policy in 2026 includes a protocol for regulated labor migration, which allows for the faster granting of work visas to immigrants in their countries of origin using the Portuguese diplomatic network.
Portugal´s new immigration policy has seen increasing participation from companies and an increase in Portuguese residency applications from 20% to 30% per month, leading to a total of nearly 6,000 residency visas granted already, according to Portugal´s Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro.
Portugal´s new Immigration Policy in 2026 went from a doors wide open policy to regulated immigration control, since it was necessary for Portugal not to have a closed doors immigration policy, but rather an orderly and regular flow of immigrants.
In total, 8,435 visa applications were made under Portugal´s new immigration policy by May 27th, 2026, that led to 5,883 visas being granted in 40 consular posts, of which around 3,000 residency visas were linked to jobs in primary sectors such as the agricultural sector and 1,179 residency visas were linked to jobs in the construction sector, since these sectors have severe labor shortages.
In this new phase of regulated immigration to Portugal, the challenge is "to take care of the integration of those who arrive", in a context of "political desperation" that, in some European countries, "led to extreme solutions" of closing borders, stated Portugal´s Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro. He summarized Portugal´s new Immigration Policy by saying: "We have shown, I believe, that moderation is possible and is happening in Portugal with results", adding: "We give documents, we give dignity".
