AIMA delays harm the Portuguese economy

Speaking to Público, economist José Roberto Afonso warned that delays in regularising immigrants and measures taken by other countries to attract them could reduce the rate of social security tax collection in 2026.

By Bruno G. Santos, in News · 09 Feb 2026, 19:03 · 3 Comments

In the particular case of Brazilian immigrants, their contributions to Social Security coffers could decline in 2026 due to delays by AIMA and policies in countries such as Spain, Italy and Germany, which have taken measures to attract immigrants. According to the same media outlet, these factors could trigger a slowdown in the collection of taxes paid by immigrants in Portugal.

Data from the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security (MTSSS), cited by Público, reveal that in 2025, immigrants contributed €4.1 billion to Social Security.

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Comments

I came here with a work visa in 2019, always paid half my salary in taxes and own two apartments, but since last year aima treats me like a criminal. I can't take vacations on another country, I can't be near police because they seem to make up their own law on the spot, I can't switch jobs because I'm afraid it will complicate the renew process... If I had full custody of my daughter, I would have left Portugal a long time ago. I really love this place and the people, but the only way I can describe how the government treats legal immigrants as fascism. Meanwhile, the illegal immigrants don't care at all. They contínue doing whatever they were doing before. The policy seems pretty clear: get rid of any immigrants to appease the racists with statistics.

By Everton from Porto on 10 Feb 2026, 06:54

The loss of social security revenues, as big as they seem, are not the real damage to the economy. While giving Social Security the means to keep their services, the damage is done in the 'real' economy, where there is simply not enough people to do the work needed.
As an example, the construction industry needs 30,000 skilled and unskilled workers to complete current projects. So the housing 'crisis' is not resolved, but even worse is the loss of IVA, slow purchasing of materials and building equipment, poor delivery times and slow completions.
I have been trying for 2 years to renovate 2 houses on my property, meanwhile the money sits in an account, no work is being done, no wages are being paid, and the much-needed affordable rental properties are still uninhabitable.

By Tony Williams from Other on 10 Feb 2026, 09:53

I came to Portugal in 2017 and stayed till 2025. I have a PhD, but still I learnt Portuguese B2. I loved the country and paid taxes. In 2023 I applied for the passport and still in 3 years I didnt receive. I left the country last month, as I am done with AIMA and ACP Porto. I would have loved to learn less because I loved Portugal. Now, I am earning 3x more. Even if Portugal grants me citizenship, I am not coming back. With this attitude of AIMA all talented immigrants will leave, and it will be full of low skilled immigrants. Good luck.

By Hazel from Lisbon on 11 Feb 2026, 11:49