Europe, Portugal Tighten Migration Policies, Restrict Family Reunifications

Across Europe, immigration policies are tightening, with countries imposing stricter border controls, limiting asylum procedures, and restricting family reunification rights. Portugal, reflecting this trend, recently approved a major immigration reform supported by the center-right government and the far-right Chega party, which includes raising the legal residence requirement for family reunification to two years, tightening economic and housing criteria, and introducing language and constitutional knowledge requirements. Work visas will be limited to highly qualified immigrants, and Brazilians will lose automatic residency privileges. The reform also establishes a new police unit to combat illegal immigration and deport undocumented migrants. These measures mark a significant shift from Portugal's previously liberal policy under the Socialist Party, aiming to close legal loopholes and reduce abuse of immigration pathways. However, some proposals, such as restrictions on citizenship access, still face parliamentary debate due to legal concerns.