Inês Azevedo analyses the future of Portugal’s migration system and the challenges for 2026

The suspension of the European Entry/Exit System and the absence of a clear migration strategy expose weaknesses in the Portuguese model, at a time when automation and artificial intelligence will be decisive for the migration system in 2026, argues Inês Azevedo in an article published in Observador.

Inês Azevedo, counsel at Morais Leitão, examines in Observador the main challenges facing Portugal’s migration system, at a decisive moment marked by the temporary suspension of the European Entry/Exit System (EES), the lack of a consistent migration strategy and the need for administrative modernisation.

In the article, the author begins by framing Portugal’s decision to suspend the application of the EES for three months. The system, approved in 2017 within the Schengen area, was designed to strengthen control of the European Union’s external borders, prevent irregular migration and enable more efficient management of migration flows.

What is the European Entry/Exit System (EES)

The Entry/Exit System allows for the registration of the date, time and place of entry and exit of third-country nationals, the automatic calculation of authorised length of stay, the generation of alerts when that stay expires and the sharing of information between Member States on refusals of entry.

Although the implementation deadline has been extended by the European Commission until April 2026, Inês Azevedo stresses that, after several years of preparation and with equipment acquired more than a year ago, the system is still not fully operational in Portugal.

Operational impact on national authorities

According to the lawyer, this failure has significant practical consequences. During periods of increased pressure, such as Christmas and New Year, security forces are required to rely on manual checks, analysing passport stamps and calculating days of stay, when these tasks should be ensured by a secure and automated digital system.

Migration in Portugal: updated data and significant growth

The article also places this situation within the broader context of national migration policy. After a year without official data from AIMA, the 2025 Immigration, Borders and Asylum Report (RIFA) revealed that, as at 31 December 2024, 1,543,697 foreign citizens were legally resident in Portugal — a figure that has almost quadrupled since 2017.

Task force helped clear pending applications

Inês Azevedo also highlights the positive impact of the task force created by the Government in 2025 to regularise pending applications and long-delayed renewals. During its period of operation, the task force carried out close to one million appointments, unlocking cases that had been stalled for more than a year.

Legislative instability and lack of a migration strategy

Despite these operational advances, the lawyer considers that Portugal still lacks a clear strategic vision for the future of migration. The amendment to the Immigration Act published in October is described as confusing and restrictive, particularly regarding family reunification, while failing to define a sustainable migration policy model. The recent attempt to amend the Nationality Act, which was vetoed, further reinforces this legislative instability.

Automation and artificial intelligence as priorities for 2026

The article concludes with a forward-looking reflection. Looking ahead to 2026, Inês Azevedo argues that Portugal must clearly define the immigration profile it seeks to attract, avoiding piecemeal legislative responses or those driven by simplified narratives. In a context shaped by rapid developments in artificial intelligence, the author emphasises the importance of automating administrative procedures, enabling AIMA to meet statutory deadlines and safeguard the rights, freedoms and guarantees of those who have chosen Portugal as their home.

The full article is available in Observador.