The Portuguese Government has announced new immigration rules, which come into force after approval by the Council of Ministers. One of the most significant changes is the abolition of the “expression of interest” (manifestação de interesse) mechanism, which has been a popular procedure among immigrants.
What has changed?
Until now, immigrants could use the “expression of interest”, an application made to the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). Because the process took so long to complete, this mechanism allowed automatic regularisation after 12 months of Social Security contributions.
Under the new rules, this possibility no longer exists. Instead, immigrants will be required to present an employment contract directly at Portuguese consulates in their countries of origin. This measure aims to ensure a more transparent and organised process, in line with international best practice in migration management.
Plan for Migration
The plan announced by the Government contains more than thirty measures covering various aspects of immigration. The main changes include:
- Abolition of the “expression of interest”: the previous process is replaced by the requirement for an employment contract.
- Employment contract requirement: immigrants must present an employment contract at Portuguese consulates before moving to Portugal.
These measures aim to strengthen the immigration system, ensuring that new residents have a solid employment basis when they enter the country.
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