Portugal Article 92 Residence Permit for Vocational Students (FAQ)

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟕 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬, 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲.

On 17 September 2025, more than 10,000 immigrants gathered in front of the Portuguese Parliament in Lisbon to protest against unjust treatment and demand recognition of their basic human and civil rights. The massive and peaceful demonstration drew participants from across Portugal, united by frustration at delays, denials, and bureaucratic obstacles in immigration regulation.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

The demonstrators demanded that the Portuguese government honour its commitments to immigrants who have long contributed to the country by paying social contributions, working, and building lives here. Many protestors claimed their applications for residency or renewal had been denied without just cause, often after years of legal presence, integration, and economic contribution.

The protest was organised amid rising concern over recent legislative proposals to tighten immigration and nationality laws in Portugal. Critics say those proposals risk undermining family reunification, prolonging uncertainty, and excluding many immigrants from full rights despite their contributions. 

During the rally, speakers called out what they described as a "climate of intimidation" in the treatment of immigrants — including detentions of persons who have not committed any crime, but who are flagged in databases because of prior travel in other EU states.

Media coverage confirms that the protest drew widespread attention. Reuters published photographs showing crowds holding signs demanding rights and residency permits outside Parliament. Other news outlets reported that immigrant groups from across the country mobilised for the event, citing the urgency of resisting new restrictive laws.