Portugal immigration data shows growth slowdown as AIMA president departs

The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) released its 2025 Migration and Asylum Report, revealing that Portugal had 1,585,854 foreign residents at the end of 2025. This represents an increase of 38,000 people compared to the previous year, though the growth rate has slowed significantly from 18.3% in 2024 to 2.7% in 2025.

Secretary of State for Immigration Rui Armindo Freitas stated that these figures demonstrate the success of recent policies aimed at stabilizing immigration through regularized entry channels. The government views this as a shift away from previously “uncontrolled” policies toward a system with clearer rules.

Simultaneously, AIMA president Pedro Portugal Gaspar is stepping down to join the Portuguese Competition Authority (AdC) as a board member. The Union of Migration Technicians (STM) has expressed concern regarding this leadership change, arguing that the agency requires stability and experienced leadership to manage residency procedures and respond to structural demands.