Portuguese authorities issued 20-day deportation notices
Lisbon, August 20, 2025
We, representing 13,500 members of the Indian community in Portugal, write to you with deep pain and hope. We are not just petitioning for a legal right — we are pleading for the protection of our dignity, our families, and the futures we have worked so hard to build.
Over 50,000 Indians live in Portugal today, many of us having arrived between 2019 and 2020. We came here inspired by the values of democracy, fairness, and opportunity — the same values India stands for. Under Articles 88(2) and 89(2) of Portuguese Immigration Law No. 23/2007 (link), any foreigner securing legal employment or starting a business and paying 12 months of social security is eligible for a residence permit.
Thousands among us have paid far beyond this — 18, 24, even 48 months of contributions — while waiting patiently for residence approval. We have:
- Established businesses and created jobs.
- Married Portuguese citizens and had children born in Portugal.
- Purchased homes and contributed millions of euros in taxes.
We are not temporary migrants. We are part of Portugal’s social fabric.
With most profound respect and hope
The Current Crisis
Recently, the Portuguese authorities have issued 20-day deportation notices to many Indians with only two reasons cited:
- Delay in submitting Indian Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs) — Delays that occurred not because of negligence, but due to the non-availability of appointment slots at the Indian Embassy in Lisbon.
- Non-criminal Schengen Information System (SIS) alerts — Alerts placed by other EU states without any criminal record.
Under EU Regulation 2018/1860, Article 9(2), and Portuguese Immigration Law Articles 77 & 123, Portugal has complete legal discretion to disregard such alerts and grant residence permits on humanitarian, national interest, or integration grounds.
Our Plea
The threat of sudden deportation after years of lawful work and contribution is not just a legal matter — it is a human tragedy in the making:
- Children born and raised here would be uprooted overnight.
- Families will be split apart.
- Lifetimes of hard work and investments will be destroyed.
We humbly request the Government of India to:
- Intervene urgently through diplomatic channels with the Portuguese Government to halt deportations.
- Direct the Embassy of India in Lisbon to immediately coordinate with Portuguese immigration authorities to resolve PCC and SIS alert issues.
- Advocate that Portugal exercise its legal right under EU and Portuguese law to regularise residents with long-term integration and no criminal record.
Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Ministers, and respected Ambassador,
We are proud Indians who have carried the name of our motherland with honour abroad. We have contributed to Portugal’s economy, embraced its culture, and respected its laws. Today, our faith rests in the hands of our government to stand with us in this hour of distress.
We are not asking for mercy — we are asking for justice, fairness, and humanity.
Media Brief (For Awareness)
Urgent Appeal: Halt deportations, resolve pending cases, and ensure justice for integrated Indian citizens.
Affected Group: 13,500 Indians in Portugal.
Issue: Deportation notices issued despite years of lawful work, tax contributions, and deep social integration.
Causes Cited: PCC delays due to embassy appointment shortage; non-criminal SIS alerts from other EU countries.
Legal Basis for Relief: EU Regulation 2018/1860 (Art. 9), Portuguese Immigration Law (Arts. 77 & 123) — allow residence permits despite alerts for humanitarian and national interest reasons.