Portugal - August 2025

On 8 August, the Constitutional Court ruled several parts of a new immigration reform that had been approved by Parliament on 16 July and referred for review by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to be unconstitutional. The bill aimed to tighten family reunification rules for immigrants. The Court found that measures such as imposing a two-year waiting period before applying, excluding spouses and adult children, extending processing times and limiting judicial appeals violated protections of family unity. However, it upheld provisions granting preferential treatment to Golden Visa holders and highly qualified workers. As a result, the law has not taken effect, with Parliament expected to revise it when it reconvenes in September.

Sources: Reuters, La Vanguardia, Público