The far-right party makes a critical demand on social benefits, threatening the approval of Portugal’s new immigration law.
The Chega party leader, André Ventura, insists that immigrants must contribute for five years before accessing social support, a condition the ruling PSD coalition has not yet accepted. This standoff puts the entire revision of the Lei de Estrangeiros (Foreigners Law) at risk ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote.
A political standoff is threatening to derail Portugal’s new immigration legislation, the revised Lei de Estrangeiros (Foreigners Law). The far-right Chega party has made a non-negotiable demand: immigrants must contribute to the social security system for five years before they can access social support benefits.
Chega’s leader, André Ventura, stated that this condition is “decisive” for his party’s support. Without it, he warned, there will be no agreement with the ruling PSD coalition, potentially leaving the country without a revised law.
“We are unfortunately on the verge of not having a Foreigners Law,” Ventura said. He argued that a law without limits on entry or economic means testing creates a dangerous “call effect” for immigration. He stressed that new arrivals should not come with the expectation of immediately benefiting from the national social security system (Segurança Social).
The Five-Year Standoff
Ventura’s core demand is simple: “Do you agree or not that immigrants arriving in Portugal must have at least five years of contributions before they can access subsidies from Social Security?”
Negotiations between Chega and the PSD continued over the weekend, but no consensus was reached on this specific point. Chega claims to have already compromised on other issues and is now appealing to the PSD to meet them halfway on what they call a “fundamental” and “structuring” issue.
Ventura dismissed arguments that the proposal might be unconstitutional. He argued that the constitution should not be a “blockade to everything,” questioning the current system that allows new arrivals to use the national health service (Saúde) without paying. He suggested that the Constitutional Court would not want to create “chaos” in the country by blocking measures designed to manage immigration flows.
Family Reunification and Other Changes
Beyond social benefits, Chega is also pushing for stricter rules on family reunification (reagrupamento familiar). The party proposes that family reunification should only be permitted 18 months after the marriage takes place.
Meanwhile, the government, led by the PSD, is attempting to navigate the political pressure while addressing the issues raised by the Constitutional Court, which had previously rejected parts of the proposed law. The new draft maintains a general two-year residency requirement for family reunification but introduces several exceptions.
For instance, the waiting period is reduced to one year for spouses who cohabited with the applicant in the year before they immigrated to Portugal. Highly qualified professionals or those with investment residency permits are exempt from any waiting period for family reunification.
Government Rejects “Distraction” Tactics
The Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, suggested that Chega’s demand regarding social support is unrelated to the core Lei de Estrangeiros debate and is merely a tactic to “distract.”
“If someone wants to talk about issues that have nothing to do with it, they can just introduce issues to confuse,” Leitão Amaro said, adding that mixing topics does not contribute to a solution. He confirmed that the law to be voted on in Parliament does not have to be identical to the initial proposal, acknowledging that adjustments are normal during parliamentary dialogue.
The government is pushing for a serious dialogue, hoping that all parties, including Chega and the opposition PS (Socialist Party), will contribute to finding a solution to regulate immigration before the vote scheduled for Tuesday morning.
Why This Matters for Immigrants and Residents
The outcome of this political fight directly affects anyone planning to move to Portugal or already living here. The Lei de Estrangeiros governs the rules for entry, residency, and family life. The key points of contention are:
- Social Support Access: If Chega’s five-year contribution rule passes, new immigrants would face a significant delay before they could access crucial safety nets like unemployment benefits or minimum income support, even if they are legally working and contributing to the system. This would increase the financial risk for new arrivals.
- Family Reunification: While the government’s proposal aims to ease some restrictions for spouses, Chega’s push for an 18-month marriage requirement could complicate the process for new families.
- Legal Clarity: The failure to pass a revised law creates continued uncertainty regarding immigration procedures, which affects visa processing times and residency applications at AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo).
Action Layer: If you are currently applying for residency or planning to use family reunification, monitor the parliamentary vote closely. The final text of the Lei de Estrangeiros will dictate the requirements for proof of means and family status. Ensure all your documents, especially proof of accommodation and financial means, are robust, as political uncertainty often leads to stricter enforcement by immigration authorities. The debate highlights the growing political pressure to ensure that immigrants are seen as contributors, not immediate beneficiaries, of the Portuguese welfare state.
Bottom Line / Key Takeaway
The political fight over Portugal’s immigration law centers on who pays for social support and when. If Chega’s demand for a five-year contribution period passes, new immigrants will face a much higher financial barrier to entry. Monitor the parliamentary vote closely, as the final law will define the financial and family requirements for residency in Portugal.
FAQ: Understanding the Key Terms
Q: What is the Lei de Estrangeiros?
A: The Lei de Estrangeiros (Foreigners Law) is the primary legislation in Portugal that defines the conditions for entry, stay, exit, and removal of foreign citizens from the national territory. Revisions are currently being debated in Parliament.
Q: What is Segurança Social?
A: Segurança Social is Portugal’s national social security system. It covers benefits like pensions, unemployment support, parental leave, and various social subsidies. Chega wants to restrict access to these subsidies for new immigrants for five years.
Q: What is reagrupamento familiar?
A: Reagrupamento familiar is the legal process that allows a foreign resident in Portugal to bring close family members (spouse, children, parents) to live with them in the country, granting them residency permits as well.
Q: What is the role of the PSD and Chega in this debate?
A: The PSD is the leading party in the current minority government coalition. Chega is the third-largest party and a key player whose support or abstention is often needed to pass legislation, giving them significant leverage over the final text of the law.
Sources:
DN/Lusa. (2025, September 29). Ventura coloca limitação de acesso a apoios sociais como condição para aprovar lei de estrangeiros. Diário de Notícias.
