New Proposal Gives Immigrant Families the Chance to Reunite

Portugal’s government will revise its immigration package after a court veto, allowing immigrant spouses' family reunification. Delays at AIMA remain a major challenge.

Government Softens Immigration Package After Court Veto

Talks with Political Parties

Government representatives have confirmed in meetings with deputies that the anti-immigration package will be relaxed. While discussions on the Nationality Law are scheduled for October, changes to the Foreigners Law (23/2007) are already on the table.

Constitutional Court Blocks Restrictions

The Constitutional Court vetoed the original anti-immigration package, which had imposed strict limits on immigrants living in Portugal. One of the main reasons was that the measures would have led to long-term family separations, in violation of constitutional principles.

Family Reunification: From Minors to Spouses

In its revised proposal, the Government will now allow immigrant spouses in Portugal to apply for family reunification. Under the previous draft, this right was limited only to minors.

Obstacles in Practice

Even before the proposed restrictions, family reunification in Portugal had been stalled for nearly two years. Many immigrants, including children, remain separated from their families. The process requires that at least one family member is regularized, but obtaining legal status through AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) can take up to three years—longer than the two-year requirement for spousal reunification under the failed package.

AIMA has been repeatedly asked about these delays but has offered no official comment.

Political Reactions

• Pro-Family Emphasis: According to Rita Matias, vice president of Camamora, the focus of the new proposal should be “pro-family,” ensuring that only legitimate family units benefit.

• Radical Right Concerns: Representatives from the radical populist right insist that regrouping should only apply to monogamous, voluntary marriages with proof of genuine cohabitation. They strongly oppose any reunification involving “marriages of convenience.”

Government Position

Carlos Abreu Amorim, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, confirmed that the Government will respect the Constitutional Court’s decision, even if it disagrees with it. Meanwhile, António Leitão Amaro, Minister of the Presidency, expressed concern about the uncertainty surrounding immigration legislation, warning that it may cause broader social and political consequences, though without providing supporting figures.

Next Steps

The details of the new immigration package will be finalized in the coming weeks and presented to Parliament later in September. The Government’s revised stance indicates a shift toward family protection, but major challenges remain, especially regarding delays at AIMA that continue to prevent families from reuniting.