Portugal Ranks Second in EU for Return Alerts Despite Low Migration Pressure

Portugal has been identified as the second country in the European Union with the most return alerts associated with its territory, relative to its population and economy. According to a report by the European Commission, the country does not face significant migration pressure. The report highlights that Portugal, along with Malta, Slovakia, Sweden, and Hungary, does not fit into any categories with high migration pressure. However, these countries face specific situations that need recognition.

The European Commission's 2026 Annual Report on Asylum and Migration reveals that Portugal issued return orders to citizens of Brazil, India, and Angola, among other nationalities. The report covers the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. During this time, the 27 EU member states issued 463,000 return orders to citizens of non-EU countries without the right to stay, a 5% decrease from the previous period.

In the same period, 142,000 people in irregular situations were effectively returned to third countries, an 11% increase compared to the previous year. The EU's return execution rate rose from 26% to 31%, but it remains too low, according to the European Commission. More than 60% of the returns were voluntary. The report emphasizes the need for stronger cooperation with third countries on readmission and better execution of removal decisions.

Portugal has increased its accommodation capacity for international protection applicants. Beneficiaries of temporary protection accounted for over half of the population accommodated in the national reception system for asylum seekers. As of June 2026, Portugal was hosting 68,310 people with temporary protection, mostly due to the war in Ukraine.

However, Portugal has not formally designated or fully operationalized an independent national mechanism to monitor fundamental rights compliance in border control and asylum procedures. This situation is shared with seven other EU member states. The report is the second annual assessment of the migration and asylum situation in the EU.

The European Commission identified Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and Spain as countries under migration pressure due to the number of arrivals recorded in the past year. Fifteen other member states, including Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, and France, are at risk of migration pressure. The Commission proposed the creation of an Annual Solidarity Reserve for 2027 to support countries under migration pressure.

The report's release coincides with the first evaluation after the entry into force of the EU Pact on Migration and Asilo on June 12, 2026. The pact aims to improve migration management and solidarity among EU member states. The European Commission's assessment provides a comprehensive overview of the migration situation in each EU member state.

Key points

• Portugal issued return orders to citizens of Brazil, India, and Angola.
• The country has increased its accommodation capacity for international protection applicants.
• Portugal has not fully operationalized an independent national mechanism to monitor fundamental rights compliance in border control and asylum procedures.