The Secretary of State for Social Security stated that foreign nationals account for fewer than 4% of total beneficiaries of the Social Insertion Income (RSI), with approximately 6,500 foreign recipients out of a total of 190,000. For foreign citizens, a residency requirement of more than one year currently applies to be eligible for this non-contributory benefit.
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Foreign residents in Portugal whose residence permits expire by 31 January 2027 can now renew them early through the AIMA online portal. This includes standard residence permits, Golden Visas (ARI), EU permanent residence certificates, and cards for eligible family members. Residents whose documents expired between 22 February 2020 and 30 June 2025 must use the separate AIMA Services platform instead. AIMA urges applicants to verify that their registered addresses and email details are up to date before applying to avoid delivery issues.
Portugal has expanded capacity at the Porto Temporary Accommodation Centre with a new modular wing, bringing total national capacity for foreign nationals in an irregular situation to 171 beds and surpassing the European benchmark of 102. The one-million-euro project adds 80 new beds to the system, which includes facilities at the airports of Lisbon, Faro, and Beja. Minister for Interior Administration Luís Neves stated that the expansion addresses national and European migration and asylum management requirements under the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum.
The Nationality Law amendment effective 19 May 2026 increased the residency requirement for naturalization to 10 years for most non-EU citizens, and seven years for EU and CPLP (Portuguese-speaking) nationals. This change applies to all nationality applications filed from 19 May 2026 onwards. Applicants who formally submitted their nationality request on or before 18 May 2026 remain eligible for the previous five-year path, regardless of their residence permit status.