The Regressar Program broke records again in 2025, with 2,851 applications during the first six months of the year, 30% more than in the same period in 2024.

Created in 2019 by the António Costa government, the program aims to encourage the return of Portuguese and Portuguese-descendant emigrants, especially those who left during the Troika period, and also covers their families.

According to data made available to Público by the Ministry of Finance, the IRS tax benefit associated with the program reached €48.4 million in 2023 alone. Since the initiative's inception, nearly 37,000 emigrants have been supported, including 17,000 direct applicants and approximately 20,000 family members, including descendants and spouses.

The number of applications has been steady. According to the publication, in 2020, the program received 1,657 applications, while in 2024 the number rose to 3,815. "The measure was a success," says Miguel Fontes, former Secretary of State for Labour who oversaw the program between 2022 and 2024, adding that the continuation of the incentive is essential, although its impact must be evaluated.

Among the financial and tax benefits, the 50% tax exemption on income for five years from the date of return stands out. This benefit not only represents a burden but also generates additional tax revenue, particularly in VAT, offsetting part of the government's investment.

The program has benefited emigrants from 116 countries, with Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Spain being the main destinations of origin. Most beneficiaries are between 35 and 44 years old, predominantly men (56%), and the most common professions include engineers, intermediate technicians, and healthcare professionals. Most returns are concentrated in the North and Lisbon and Tagus Valley regions.

The government is preparing to replace the Regressar Program with the Voltar Program, which could extend the incentives not only to active workers but also to retirees. Miguel Fontes warns that this expansion diverges from the original spirit of the measure, which aimed to attract qualified young people who had emigrated, especially during the troika crisis.