Portugal has turned to the right: where does that leave immigration?

Portugal held a snap election on May 18, 2025, and the results show a clear shift to the right. The Democratic Alliance (AD) won the most votes, but not enough for a majority. For companies hiring and relocating international talent to Portugal, this new political setup could bring changes, especially around immigration policies. While the current system won’t change overnight, upcoming decisions could affect how easy (or difficult) it is to bring global talent into the country.

The results: a Parliament on the Right

The Democratic Alliance (AD), led by Luís Montenegro, came out on top but didn’t secure enough seats to govern alone. The Socialist Party (PS) lost a large number of seats, and its leader Pedro Nuno Santos stepped down. The far-right party Chega made major gains, tying with PS at 58 seats, and could become the second-largest party once overseas votes are counted. This new balance of power will shape how much support AD gets in Parliament.

What could change in immigration policy?

With more right-leaning parties in Parliament, immigration projects may face more pushback than before. Chega, which now holds significant influence, supports tougher rules like:

• Ending automatic residence for citizens of CPLP countries (such as Brazil)
• Deporting immigrants who aren’t financially independent within 6–12 months
• Setting strict quotas based on job market needs
• Tighter requirements for getting Portuguese nationality

AD, the likely ruling party, also wants stricter control of immigration. Their plans include:

• Ending the “manifestation of interest” route and requiring visa-based entry
• Speeding up deportation of people without legal residence
• Changing nationality rules to require longer legal residence
• Strengthening AIMA (the immigration agency) to reduce document backlogs

At the same time, AD says it supports “regulated and humanist” immigration, which suggests work-based routes will remain available, especially for employers hiring skilled talent.

What should employers expect from immigration procedures?

Big legal changes aren’t likely in the immediate future, but here’s what could happen soon:

• More organized immigration services: The government is working to expand and modernize AIMA to handle documentation more efficiently.
• Less support for regularization: Proposals to renew CPLP residence permits or help people adjust their status may face more resistance in Parliament.
• Clearer (and stricter) rules: From proof of address to visa renewals, documentation will likely need to be cleaner and fully compliant.

Employers relocating non-EU talent should start preparing for more detailed checks and potential delays.

What happens next?

For now, AD is expected to form a minority government, and no big immigration announcements will happen until the new government is officially in place. With presidential elections in early 2026, major reforms may be delayed, but smaller changes can still move forward.

If you’re hiring international employees, you should now double-check compliance and stay informed about upcoming rules.

Need help with employee relocation in Portugal?

Portugal’s political shift may make immigration policy stricter, but legal work visas and structured relocation routes remain open. For companies that rely on international talent, it’s a good time to review processes and stay one step ahead of potential changes.

Our local team closely follows policy changes and supports companies through uncertain times. making sure your employees stay compliant and your hiring plans stay on track.

Book a call to get expert support tailored to your relocation needs.