The situation for undocumented immigrants or those with pending cases in Portugal could become drastically more difficult.
The "third major piece" that consolidates the change in the country's immigration landscape will soon be in Parliament.
The Government approved the text of the so-called "Return Package", a set of measures aimed at accelerating the departure of foreigners who do not have the right to residency documentation.
From "voluntary" to "coercive"
The main change is terminological, but with severe practical effects. The old voluntary abandonment notification (NAV) is being replaced by... "Duty to Abandon".
- Short Term: The immigrant will only have 20 days to leave the country after notification.
- Direct Expulsion: If it doesn't leave within the deadline, the process automatically advances to the next step. forced abandonment (forced deportation), with support from Frontex to expedite return flights.
The danger at airports (PSP and AIMA)
A critical point highlighted by the portal's analysis. DN Brazil involves the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AimaDue to chronic delays in issuing residency permits, many Brazilians travel with only proof that the process is "under review."
- The risk: The Public Security Police (PSP) is not accepting ongoing cases as a guarantee of entry.
- No judicial duty roster: Since there are no judges on duty at Portuguese airports, an appeal can take days to be reviewed — enough time for the immigrant to be put on a flight back to Brazil.
Re-checking of rejections
The government confirmed that it conducted a "review" of rejected applications related to CPLP membership certificates and expressions of interest.
In the coming days, a wave of exit confirmation notifications should be sent to those whose requests were denied.
⚠️ Survival guide for immigrants in 2026
| Situation | Recommendation from the Authorities |
| Awaiting residence | DO NOT TRAVEL. The "process under review" certificate does not guarantee re-entry into the country. |
| Expression of interest | High risk of rejection during the government's re-checking process. |
| Abandonment notice | Seek legal counsel immediately; the 20-day deadline is the final one. |
| Detention at the airport | The detention period for those awaiting a court decision has been extended. |
The impact on the Italy-Portugal connection
Many Brazilians use Portugal as a gateway to Europe before continuing on to Italy for citizenship or tourism matters.
With the "Return Package" and the increased detention time, the Lisbon/Porto route has become extremely risky for those who do not have the necessary documentation. physical residence card or a European passport.
The recommendation is clear: the "friend who traveled and had a good trip" story is no longer valid. Enforcement is operating under a zero-tolerance policy.
Approval of the "Return Package"
The Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, stated that he believes Parliament will understand the need for the changes. He highlighted that parties further to the left tend to oppose alterations in immigration policy, but he expects to have the support of a majority of deputies.
The latest reforms approved with the support of Chega faced legal resistance. Provisions of the immigration and nationality law were rejected by the Constitutional Court. Due to these vetoes, the government had to amend the original texts before their final implementation.
The new package also raises concerns about its constitutionality. The text underwent a public consultation and received adjustments to avoid further legal challenges. The government, however, did not detail which suggestions were adopted to soften the rules.
Following the vote in the Assembly of the Republic, the bill will go to the new President of the Republic, António José Seguro. It is not yet confirmed whether he will maintain his stance of sending the proposals for prior review by the Constitutional Court.
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