Braga, Portugal, July 3, 2026 (Lusa) - The minister of labour, solidarity and social security, Rosário Palma Ramalho, stated on Friday that Portugal has “a positive net migration balance” and is managing to retain immigrants who bring greater added value.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a visit to a factory in Padim da Graça, Braga, which manufactures and assembles modular components for the construction industry, the minister pointed out that in December 2025 there were 45,000 more immigrants in Portugal than in December 2024.
She also said that immigrants’ social security contributions rose by 34% between April 2024 and April 2026.
“This means that we are managing to retain immigrants – and to retain immigrants who bring greater added value to the country than before, since if their contributions are higher, it is because they are earning more,” she emphasised.
Rosário Ramalho was responding to today’s report in the Expresso newspaper, which states that the Social Security Institute recorded, in 2025, the cessation of employment for 162,252 immigrants who were employed by others and who did not subsequently re-register, “which means they have left the country or remain in Portugal but are in an irregular situation”.
For the minister, these figures “may well be true”, but they are taken out of context.
“I must say I have very little time for figures presented with little context. It is true that this figure has been published, but we still have a positive net migration balance in Portugal. We need to look at this over a longer period. In December 2025, we had 45,000 more immigrants than in December 2024,” she reiterated.
In the minister’s view, net migration figures should be measured year on year, rather than month on month.
“I would like to convey a message of great reassurance here, and also say that I am very pleased that the average contribution made by an immigrant is now 34% higher. This is a very significant increase,” she emphasised.
Palma Ramalho also said that this must be the way forward.
“From our point of view, this must be the way forward, and so far, it is proving very successful,” she concluded.
VCP/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
