Immigrant residents in PT still benefit from the 2nd most favourable integration policies in the developed world, ahead of most Nordics and traditional countries of immigration and leading the new destinations (far ahead of ES and IT).

Its 'family friendly' immigration policies and its 2006 model for citizenship reform have clearly helped more immigrants to reunite with their family and become PT citizens, even during the crisis. The effects of PT's integration policies on outcomes in other areas are less clear, as data is missing for robust experiments and causal evaluations (see Northern Europe, Bilgili 2015). The available data, monitoring reports and qualitative evaluations suggest that many of PT’s targeted programmes (CNAI/CLAI, Escolhas) are reaching large numbers of immigrants in need. These programmes are then well-appreciated by beneficiaries, well-reviewed by EU institutions and even replicated by other countries. Moreover, the need is still strong for these integration policies. Former labour migrants have settled long-term with their newcomer family members and children, all with their own specific employment, education, family, health and local needs.

More effective targeted, general and local policies may be needed for PT’s national policies to identify and reach the many potential beneficiaries in need, especially in disadvantaged areas. Integration stakeholders in PT are discussing these possibilities through their typically collaborative process of policymaking, now around the renewed national Integration Plan and new municipal plans. More accessible and responsive policies will likely require more resources e.g. for employment, education, health, equality policies and local services.