Portugal News

Lisbon July 14, 2026 — A special team of 28 administrative judges has advanced or concluded around one-fifth of the immigration cases filed against Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, AIMA.

The task force began work in April to deal with roughly 124,000 delayed proceedings involving residence permits, appointments, family reunification and other immigration matters. One-fifth of that total represents approximately 25,000 court files.

The goal is to prevent immigrants from having to visit Social Security offices twice to obtain their NISS (Social Security Identification Number)

Lisbon, July 14, 2026 — Starting at the end of this month, immigrants who go to the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) will automatically receive their Social Security Identification Number (NISS).

London July 13, 2026 — The UK Home Office is reportedly considering a significant compromise over its proposed immigration reforms, potentially allowing some migrants who arrived in Britain from 2021 onwards to qualify for indefinite leave to remain after five years rather than waiting ten years.

The court has also refused to suspend the government’s extraordinary regularisation decree, allowing the process to continue while legal challenges from Valencia and Aragón are considered.

Madrid, July 13, 2026 — Spain’s Supreme Court has decided not to refer legal questions concerning the country’s extraordinary migrant regularisation programme to the Court of Justice of the European Union at this stage.

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.