Dozens of British families living in Portugal have been plunged into a bureaucratic nightmare, facing the unthinkable prospect of being torn apart due to a sudden and strict interpretation of post-Brexit residency rules.
The crisis emerged after the Portuguese borders and immigration service, SEF, began rejecting applications from Britons who moved to the country after the Brexit transition period ended on December 31, 2020. Many applicants, who believed they qualified for residency through their Portuguese partners or family members, are now receiving shock rejections.
A Choice Between Career and Family
Affected individuals report being given an impossible ultimatum: leave the country to apply for a visa from their nation of origin—a process that can take over a year—or remain in Portugal illegally, without the right to work or access services. For families with children, jobs, and homes, this has created an agonising decision.
One British mother, married to a Portuguese man and raising their child in Lisbon, described the immense stress and uncertainty. "We built our life here," she said. "The idea that I might have to leave my job, my home, and my child's father to apply for a visa from the UK is heartbreaking."
The Brexit Fallout Continues
The situation highlights the ongoing and often unforeseen consequences of Brexit for UK citizens living in EU nations. While the Withdrawal Agreement protected the rights of those who moved before the 2021 deadline, it offered no such clarity for those who arrived later, leaving them subject to stringent national immigration laws.
Campaign groups and affected families are now urgently calling on both the British and Portuguese governments to intervene. They seek a compassionate and pragmatic solution that recognises the deep ties these families have built and prevents unnecessary family separation.
