Portugal News

London, July 12, 2026 — A major loophole in the UK immigration system has been officially closed, bringing massive relief to international graduates. Under the newly implemented Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (HC 259), children born in the UK to parents holding a Graduate Route (Post-Study Work) visa can now legally apply for dependant status.

The update officially took effect on August 3, 2026, fixing a strict legal gap that previously left UK-born babies of graduate visa holders in legal limbo.

Lisbon 11 July, 2026 — New rules approved by PSD and Chega determine that ride-hailing services (TVDE) will be able to record images of the vehicle's interior (but without capturing sound) and display advertising. Taxis will be able to operate as ride-hailing services.

London July 10, 2026 — The UK Government may introduce transitional protections for certain migrants already living in the country as it prepares to overhaul the pathway to permanent residence.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has indicated that spouses, older family members, children and people whose eligibility depends on household rather than individual income could receive different treatment under the proposed “earned settlement” system.

Brussels, July 10, 2026 — The European Union is expected to postpone the launch of its new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) until 2027, following operational difficulties during the rollout of the new Entry/Exit System (EES) at Europe's external borders.

Tokyo July 06, 2026 — Japan will introduce a new foreign-worker and vocational-training system in April 2027, opening the door for up to 426,200 overseas workers during its first two years. Thailand has become the first country to sign a bilateral cooperation memorandum with Japan under the upcoming framework, giving Thai workers an early pathway into the programme.

London July 04, 2026 — The UK government has announced plans that could require some adults who received state-funded asylum accommodation and basic living support to repay around £10,000 before becoming eligible to apply for permanent settlement in the UK.

Under the proposed scheme, only people who can afford to pay would be asked to contribute. Children would be exempt, and the proposed charge would not apply retrospectively to people who received support before the new rules take effect.

Lisbon, July 03, 2026 — Portugal’s Parliament on Friday, 3 July, rejected the confirmation of a decree that would have introduced the loss of Portuguese nationality as an additional criminal penalty for certain serious offences.

The decree had previously been vetoed by former President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and had received two findings of unconstitutionality from the Constitutional Court.

By the end of 2025, there were 45,000 more foreigners contributing to Social Security compared to the end of the previous year

Lisbon, July 03, 2026 — The average contribution per foreign worker to Social Security rose 34% between April 2024 and April 2026, the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security revealed this Friday.

Based on the latest annual data, contributions from foreign workers to Social Security increased by 18% between 2024 and 2025.

Lisbon July 02, 2026: — A declaration of a state of alert includes, for example, a ban on burning and on work in forest areas using any type of machinery.

The Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, announced this Thursday, July 2nd, that the Government will proceed "with the application, starting at midnight, of the declaration of a state of alert," due to the persistence of high temperatures, with thermometers exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in some regions.

Lisbon 02 July, 2026 : Immigration plays a significant role in strengthening the economies of developed countries by increasing productivity, encouraging investment, and supporting long-term economic growth, according to a new study presented at the European Central Bank (ECB) Forum in Sintra, Portugal.