LISBON, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Portugal is set to tighten its immigration laws under a new government policy program approved by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.
Alongside immigration, the document outlines 10 priority areas for the new administration, including labor law reform and public sector restructuring. It will be submitted to parliament on Saturday.
At a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Minister of the Presidency Antonio Leitao Amaro said the government plans to strengthen border controls, revise the current immigration framework and entry pathways, and establish a dedicated unit for foreign nationals and border affairs within the Public Security Police.
In recent years, Portugal has begun restricting legal channels for new migrants. In 2024, the government abolished the "expression of interest" residency mechanism -- a pathway that allowed non-EU nationals to enter the country on tourist or other non-work visas and later apply for legal residence. Nearly 34,000 applications have since been rejected, with affected individuals now receiving official notices to leave the country.
Speaking at the new government's inauguration on June 5, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro emphasized that all migrants choosing to live and work in Portugal must comply with legal requirements during their stay.
"We welcome with open arms those who come to work, contribute, and who respect our culture and our social customs. But to ensure that the rules are followed, it is also necessary to understand that non-compliance has consequences, which in this case may include return (to their country of origin)." Enditem
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