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Stay updated: exclusive immigration information about Portugal!

11/11/2026

How to prepare for a storm and a power outage

Autumn and winter storms in Portugal often bring power cuts, and a little preparation goes a long way – especially outside the larger cities. While you still have electricity, charge phones, power banks and torches, run the laundry, and keep food at home that needs no fridge and no cooking.

If your home draws water from a private borehole, losing power also means losing water, since the pump stops working – so fill containers in advance. Petrol stations, card terminals and cash machines also go offline during an outage, so it is worth refuelling the car and keeping some cash on hand.

Finally, let family and colleagues know in advance: phone coverage can drop, and a simple “no answer means no power” agreement saves everyone unnecessary worry.

04/11/2026

Additional funding for Portugal’s public health service

The government has approved a new transfer of around €1.5 billion to the national health service. Most of it will cover pharmacy medicines, with the rest going to diagnostics, treatment and day-to-day hospital costs. Together with earlier transfers, additional funding this year has passed €2.7 billion.

For residents, this supports continued access to public healthcare and subsidised prescription medicines. At the same time, the system still runs a deficit, and waiting times for non-urgent appointments remain long in some regions.

Many international residents combine public healthcare with private insurance – a practical way to shorten waiting times and keep a choice of doctor.

28/10/2026

Portugal’s citizenship backlog grows to around 690,000 cases

According to the Ministry of Justice, roughly 690,000 citizenship-related applications were awaiting review at the national registry and notary institute at the end of June 2026.

The composition of that queue matters: only about a quarter were filed on the basis of long-term legal residence. The rest involve recognition of citizenship for spouses, grandchildren and children of Portuguese nationals, along with earlier applications from descendants of Sephardic Jews, a route closed to new applicants since 19 May 2026.

The authorities say priority is given to cases involving minor descendants of Portuguese nationals submitted through consulates and online. No official timeline has been published for the remaining categories.

In practice, this means preparing your application early, keeping supporting documents in order, and factoring possible waiting time into your residence permit renewals.

21/10/2026

Helmet rules and a possible end to scooter rentals in Lisbon

Parliament has approved a bill making helmets mandatory for e-scooters, e-bikes and similar light electric vehicles.

Separately, Lisbon’s city council is reviewing a proposal to end scooter rental services in the city, citing a rise in injuries and scooters left parked on pavements.

If the proposal passes, rental operators would need to remove their scooters from the streets by the end of the year.

In practice this means two things: if you ride your own scooter or e-bike, plan for a helmet, and if you rely on rentals in Lisbon, it is worth considering alternative ways to get around.

We will follow the process and share an update once the rules take effect.

14/10/2026

The 2027 state budget proposal: what it could mean for foreign residents

The government has submitted the 2027 state budget proposal to parliament – it has not yet been approved and may still change during the debate.

The proposals include lower income tax rates in the first brackets, a higher annual tax deduction for rent, and a reduced rate for landlords who let homes at moderate prices.

The draft also sets out a significant funding increase for the immigration authority – close to 39% – which could gradually affect processing times for applications.

For residents and future immigrants, this is mainly a reason to plan the tax year calmly and keep documentation in order; the specific rules will become clear once the budget is passed.

We are following the parliamentary discussion and will share an update when the measures are officially confirmed.

07/10/2026

Tap water in Portugal remains safe to drink

According to the national water regulator, drinking water on the mainland reached a safety level of 98.84 percent in 2025 — the eleventh consecutive year at around 99 percent.

Of 278 municipalities, 225 scored above 99 percent, and 42 reached a full 100 percent.

For residents, this means something simple: tap water can be used for drinking without relying on bottled water.

The few deviations recorded are usually administrative or linked to small local treatment systems, and they do not pose a health risk.

The one practical note is to avoid drinking from public street fountains, as these sit outside the main network and are disinfected less regularly.