Immigration
New amendments to the Foreigners Law in Portugal
Law No. 62/2026, published on September 10, introduces a restrictive migration framework by eliminating in-country regularization pathways, including vocational training paths and expressions of interest, requiring visa applications to begin abroad. It also extends administrative detention for removal up to six months (or 360 days in complex cases), restricts voluntary departure to 30 days, tightens enforcement powers for PSP and GNR, and sets stricter criteria for parents with minor children to claim immunity from removal.
Why it mattersIf you are a foreign resident or planning to move to Portugal, you can no longer regularise your status from within the country without a prior consular visa, and deportation rules and detention periods have been significantly toughened.
