Portugal expands migrant center capacity as West African route arrivals drop

Portugal plans to expand capacity at its temporary migrant installation center in Porto to 171 spaces by September, falling short of the government's initial 300-bed target. The adjustment coincides with a 78 percent drop in arrivals along the West African Atlantic route between January and April 2026, driven by strengthened border cooperation between Senegal and Mauritania.

In domestic developments, Portuguese authorities recorded over 14,000 domestic violence complaints, averaging approximately 82 daily cases. Additionally, eight Afghan women completed their first year of asylum in Portugal after fleeing Taliban restrictions on female education and employment.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)