The Mipex 2025 report, released today, indicates that until mid-2024, Portuguese legislation was among the most favorable for immigrant integration, alongside countries like Sweden and Finland.
In 2024, the PSD/CDS Government eliminated the declaration of interest, a legal tool that allowed for regularization in Portugal for those who entered with a tourist visa. The significant influx of immigrants delayed family reunification processes, and the government plans to further tighten these regulations with a new immigration law to be reviewed on Tuesday, following its rejection by the Constitutional Court in August.
Portugal is notable for access to the job market, family reunification, and nationality, holding a favorable position compared to most European Union countries.
However, issues remain in areas such as “education and health, where there are still barriers to effective access to adequate resources,” the report highlights.
“Portugal demonstrates proficiency in integration policies, but the Mipex results remind us that nothing can be taken for granted,” states Lucinda Fonseca from the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning at the University of Lisbon, which collaborated on the project. “The next step should be to strengthen integration and avoid legislative setbacks that could compromise inclusion and social cohesion.”
According to Portuguese experts, “if the legislative changes currently under discussion are approved, Portugal’s position in Mipex is likely to deteriorate. More restrictive rules on nationality and family reunification would signify a clear setback, directly impacting the stability and sense of belonging of many thousands of people.”
Lucinda Fonseca emphasizes that “effective integration policies not only benefit immigrants” but also “strengthen social cohesion, increase trust in institutions, and contribute to the country’s demographic sustainability and economic development.”
The index notes that “inclusive and well-implemented integration policies improve outcomes in education and employment and reduce prejudice” against immigrants.
Conversely, “restrictive approaches,” particularly regarding “citizenship, family reunification, and political participation,” weaken “democratic inclusion and social cohesion.”
In their recommendations, the authors argue that Portugal should “focus more on integration, particularly on teaching Portuguese as a non-native language, providing adequate resources in the school context, and socio-cultural mediation, consolidating progress and preparing for a more cohesive, just, and inclusive future.”
The Mipex, produced by the European think tank Migration Policy Group, evaluates 58 indicators in areas such as the labor market, family reunification, education, political participation, permanent residence, nationality, anti-discrimination, and health.
In this assessment, Portugal scores 83 out of a possible 100 points, while the EU average is 54, highlighting a “general stagnation of integration policies” in Europe.
Countries joining the EU after 2004 have more restrictive policies towards immigrants (an average of 44 points) compared to others (an average of 63).
On the positive side, the authors note a strong legal framework regarding anti-discrimination, as well as policies for “moderately secure permanent residence” and positive “labor market integration.”
However, Mipex points to increasing difficulties concerning access to nationality and “still underdeveloped” education policies.
