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The Portuguese government has increased funding for AIMA’s sociocultural mediator program to €28 million for the coming years, highlighting the importance of on-the-ground support for migrant integration. These mediators assist newcomers in navigating public services, translating documents, scheduling appointments, and adapting to daily life, education, and language. Authorities have acknowledged that formal paperwork alone is… Continue reading Portugal boosts migrant integration funding to €28 million, prioritizing community-based mediators
Category: News
Freedom Day in Lisbon: Palaces Open with Concerts, Tours and Public Events
On Saturday, April 25, marking the 52nd anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, Lisbon’s official residences will open to the public with a free cultural programme. At Belém Palace, guided tours will take place in the morning, gardens will open later, and concerts featuring Agir & Paulo de Carvalho will begin at 3:00 p.m., followed by… Continue reading Freedom Day in Lisbon: Palaces Open with Concerts, Tours and Public Events
EU to Mandate Salary Transparency in Job Listings
From June 7, a new EU pay transparency directive will require employers and recruitment agencies to disclose salary ranges in job postings. According to Hays, 85% of professionals support the measure, especially as 70% of job ads last year did not include pay information. The survey covered 1,359 skilled workers and 491 employers, mainly in… Continue reading EU to Mandate Salary Transparency in Job Listings
EU Mandates Pet Passports for Animal Travel from April 22, 2026
From April 22, 2026, crossing borders within the EU with cats or dogs without a European pet passport will no longer be permitted. The new rules aim to ensure full traceability of animal movements and curb document fraud and illegal trade. The passport must include a readable microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, records of health… Continue reading EU Mandates Pet Passports for Animal Travel from April 22, 2026
Rising Number of Skilled Foreign Workers Reshapes Labor Market but Language Barriers Limit Career Prospects
Every fourth foreign resident holds a university degree, slightly exceeding the share among locals. According to INE, more than 24% of migrants are graduates, while their total number rose from about 394,000 in 2011 to 1.54 million in 2024, with 85% of working age. Despite strong qualifications, many are employed outside their fields, particularly in… Continue reading Rising Number of Skilled Foreign Workers Reshapes Labor Market but Language Barriers Limit Career Prospects
Language Certificate Scam in Portugal
Fraud involving A2-level Portuguese language certificates under the Português Língua de Acolhimento (PLA) program is on the rise in Portugal. The certification exempts applicants from a separate language exam for citizenship, driving high demand amid a shortage of free course places and months-long waiting lists. Scammers exploit this gap by charging vulnerable migrants hundreds or… Continue reading Language Certificate Scam in Portugal
Lisbon plans to phase out parking meters and shift to app-based payments
Сompany EMEL plans to gradually eliminate parking meters in Lisbon, particularly in the city center, and transition to mobile app-based payments. Digital transactions already account for 74% of payments, up from 52% in 2021. A pilot project for 2026–2029 will fully remove meters in one district, to be selected based on user surveys. Since May… Continue reading Lisbon plans to phase out parking meters and shift to app-based payments
Police warn of rising rental scams amid seasonal demand surge
Police have warned of a seasonal increase in rental scams, which typically intensify during the summer amid higher demand. Fraudsters use real property photos and post listings at below-market prices, posing as agents to secure advance payments without showing the property. Foreign nationals are particularly vulnerable, as many attempt to arrange housing before arriving in… Continue reading Police warn of rising rental scams amid seasonal demand surge
Portuguese Authorities Confirm Expired Documents Do Not Make Immigrants Irregular
Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) stated that immigrants with expired residence documents remain legally in the country if they have ongoing renewal or regularization processes. Although the latest administrative extension ended on April 15, migrants can prove their legal status using an online certificate issued via AIMA’s portal. Since 2020, residence permits… Continue reading Portuguese Authorities Confirm Expired Documents Do Not Make Immigrants Irregular
Portugal Allows Student Residence Costs to Be Claimed as Education Expenses Under IRS Rules
Portugal’s Tax Authority (AT) has clarified that student accommodation in residences can be treated as education expenses, even when formalized as a service contract rather than a standard rental agreement. The clarification followed a query from a Madeira family whose son studies in Porto. To qualify, the student must be under 25 and enrolled at… Continue reading Portugal Allows Student Residence Costs to Be Claimed as Education Expenses Under IRS Rules
