Portugal: New migrant integration centres, extension of residence permits and increased hiring of cultural mediators in schools

National network of local migrant integration centres continues to expand

Another local centre for the integration of migrants (CLAIM) was opened in Lisbon, in a neighbourhood with a high presence of labour migrants from the Hindustan Peninsula. The opening of this centre is the product of a partnership between the national Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) and local immigrant association Nialp - Associação Intercultural Lisboa, whose particular focus is the provision of support to the Nepalese community. The CLAIM network now comprises 150 centres across Portugal, with plans in place to establish yet another in the municipality of Tondela.

Validity of residence permits extended

The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers announced that those holding residence permits set to expire on 30 June will be able to extend the validity of their permits until 15 October. Approximately 350 000 people will be affected. The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) is handling the extensions, with an online system being developed via which permit holders will soon be able to submit extension requests.

Government announces new labour migration protocol

The Portuguese government signed the Cooperation Protocol for Regulated Labour Migration with employers' confederations and business associations, outlining plans to implement an expedited visa application procedure for foreign citizens arriving in Portugal to work. The procedure, which is still in development, will offer a ‘fast track’ visa option for employers recruiting workers from abroad, ensuring that companies can quickly secure the labour force they need. A series of employer obligations will be stipulated as part of eligibility requirements, including provision of adequate training and accommodation.

Portuguese responses to Eurobarometer questions

The Standard Eurobarometer 103 (Spring 2025) collected the opinions of 26 368 EU citizens on immigration issues, including 1 037 from Portugal.

The findings show that when it comes to migration, Portuguese opinions are fairly aligned with those of EU citizens in other countries. Key questions included those relating to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine: 91% of respondents in Portugal said they welcome those displaced by the conflict, compared with 80% of respondents across the EU. When asked about the most important issue facing the EU at the moment, EU respondents placed immigration in the 4th most important position and Portuguese respondents saw it as 3rd most important. When ranking the most important issues facing their own country, Portuguese respondents viewed immigration as the 6th most important issue.

Inclusion of migrant students in the educational environment

The Portuguese Directorate-General for Education published ‘Inclusion of migrant students in the educational environment’, a book promoting the successful inclusion of migrants in schools in Portugal. The book details a set of strategies and activities to support schools in ensuring that key principles for inclusion in education are upheld. The book can be accessed online, with automatic translation tools and translations of corresponding useful documents also available.

Schools increase hiring of linguistic and cultural mediators

According to a report presented to the Portuguese parliament by the Ministry of Education and Science, 141 linguistic and cultural mediators have so far been hired by schools across the country in 2025. This is the result of a governmental initiative to promote the integration of foreign students, whose number has doubled from 70 000 to 140 000 in the last 2 years. The initiative saw, in January, authorisation by the government of 287 professionals to act as mediators in schools.