In a move set to reshape the nation’s approach to migration, Portugal announced on Monday its “Action Plan for Migration,” a comprehensive initiative aimed at tightening immigration policies. The reform, approved by the country’s Council of Ministers, intends to create a more regulated migration system, attract skilled professionals, and foster both human integration and institutional reorganization. The official declaration can be found here.
Government officials, including Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro, emphasized that the plan aims to address significant issues with entry regulations, operational incapacity within the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, and the effectiveness of border control systems. While the plan aims to impose 41 new measures, Amaro stressed that Portugal remains committed to welcoming migrants in a more organized manner, as detailed in his statement.
The Action Plan for Migration also dismantles the previous expression of interests procedure, which permitted non-EU nationals already residing in Portugal to work legally. Instead, the focus will shift to prioritizing family reunifications, youth, students, and qualified professionals. This aligns with the broader objectives of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which was recently endorsed by the Council of the EU on May 14 and aims to strengthen and integrate key policies on migration, asylum, and border management across the EU.
Key elements of the Portuguese Action Plan are designed to enhance border controls and alleviate congestion at major airports like Lisbon and Faro. Abstractly, this endeavor reflects a continued commitment to balancing humanitarian concerns with the need for efficient and secure immigration procedures.
For further details on the announcement, please refer to the original publication here.