Porque é que se tornou mais difícil imigrar para Portugal?

Until 2024, Portugal had one of the most lenient immigration laws in the EU, allowing tourists to apply for residency after securing a job or enrolling in a course. However, as of June 4, 2024, the interest manifestation regime ended, requiring individuals to obtain a consular visa before applying for residency. This change aimed to reduce illegal immigration and emphasized the importance of entering legally. Data indicated a 59% decrease in residency applications in the latter half of 2024. Recent amendments to the immigration law further revoked provisions allowing tourists to apply for residency for study or internships, necessitating prior visa applications. The new "Return Law" introduced stricter regulations for irregular immigrants, including mandatory departure notifications and potential entry bans for up to three years. Navigating Portugal's immigration process now requires careful preparation and understanding of the new legal framework.