Nevertheless, according to Observador, Portugal will remain subject to the solidarity mechanism imposed by the European Union (EU).
The news was first reported by SIC Notícias, which reported that the government justified the decision by stating that Portugal lacks the capacity to accommodate the 420 asylum seekers without disrupting the system.
The amount will be disbursed to the European Commission starting in June and will be allocated to the solidarity reserve, which aims to support countries facing immigration pressure.
Distributing migrants
In December 2025, the 27 European Union member states agreed to redistribute 21,009 asylum seekers in 2026. It was also established that Portugal would have to take 2%, or 420 people. However, the government refused to accept the migrants.
António Leitão Amaro contested the calculations made and asked Brussels to reassess the decision. Currently, the European Commission is evaluating Portugal’s situation and deciding whether or not the country will be exempt from the solidarity mechanism, as reported by Observador.
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Weak-kneed government. Tell the EU that it's a sovereignty question and if they don't like it, too bad.
By George from Other on 13 Jan 2026, 19:41
Smart move by Portugal. If Portugal, and any of the smaller countries in Europe, had any brains, they'd throw off the EU shackles and proceed with policies favorable to the Portuguese people and not to unenlightened bureaucrats in Brussels. There could even be a southern European Union since it's clear the interests of the North are not those of the South.
By Tony from USA on 13 Jan 2026, 23:38
Seeing the chaos in Europe, Portugal does the right thing -- even if the EU is a monster and needs to be slayed.
By Stef from Other on 14 Jan 2026, 11:35
Portugal already has far too many illegal migrants, and accepts many legal ones. What Portugal, and we taxpayers are paying for here is the "We must accept illegal immigrants" law that have caused havoc in the EU. This policy is the single biggest reason the UK left the EU, the single biggest reason for violent protests and m**m fanatical attacks, the single biggest reason for overburdened and collapsing health services, violent crime increasing, petty crime exploding... AND, the policy continues, politicians feeling good about themselves for 'helping humanity'. In the meantime, we, the countries within the EU suffer both ways, through this forced immigration and through fines for not accepting more.
By Paul from Algarve on 14 Jan 2026, 11:48
Have you ever noticed that people who make wild claims about the terrible burden immigrants, both legal and illegal, place upon Portugal never have facts to back up their claims?
By Terry from Other on 15 Jan 2026, 00:22
Portugal should leave the EU! Parasites we have already enough!
By A L Fernandes from Other on 15 Jan 2026, 16:05
Agreed. No facts but just dog whistle comments. Sigh, this is one reason I left the US.
By Eric from Lisbon on 16 Jan 2026, 10:37
Interesting comments again from the peanut gallery, the UK problems with “immigrants” started a long time ago way before the EU. I believe Portugal should be looking at cutting foreign immigration for all. The enclave of British people in their expat community is a blight.
By João from Madeira on 17 Jan 2026, 03:56
The PT Govt did the right thing not to accept the EU dictated migrants. Excellent!
By L from Lisbon on 18 Jan 2026, 17:24
Enough is enough! Keep all the migrants in Brussels! We do not need this type of migrant.
By Americo from Lisbon on 24 Feb 2026, 18:01
João - The UK has had more immigrants in the last 20 years than in the previous 2000 years. Fact. Illegals are largely from cultures that are hostile to the western democratic way of life. Immigrants are vastly more likely to commit violent and sexual crime and are a net drain on the State for their entire life. In uk Muslims have perverted the democratic process and are voting in a bloc to secure real political power, it can happen here. Our weak and reviled PM Keir Starmer is hostage to the Muslim vote and cannot afford to be seen as helpful to the US and Israel, he’d rather look like a fool instead.
By Bowles Nick from Beiras on 03 Mar 2026, 20:43
Immigration pressure is self created. If you have a water leak, you don't just keep paying the cost, you shut off the valve and repair it. So, shut down the immigration so the system can cope.
By Santos from Other on 07 Mar 2026, 18:52