On June 3,2024, Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro announced a new plan to tighten some immigration rules, following in the footsteps of other European Union (EU) countries and before Europeans vote in an election that will shift the bloc’s politics to the right. Stating that they aim to create a more just and prosperous society, Luis emphasized that it is not possible to open the borders completely.
Portugal has been one of the most open to immigrants among EU countries. The immigration law, which was approved in 2017 by then-Prime Minister António Costa, is still in force. This law allowed people who arrived without a work permit to be regulated by a simple presentation of a declaration of interest. Current Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, as the leader of the Conservative Democratic Alliance Coalition, defended the change in the country’s migration policy, stating that they wanted to end some of the mechanisms that led to the excessive abuse of the capacity to welcome migrants. The government has decided to ban this widely used mechanism, known as “manifestation of interest”, which for years allowed non-EU migrants to move to Portugal without an employment contract and request residency after paying social security contributions for a year.[1]
Former Prime Minister António Costa stated that migration policy should be tightened. However, he also emphasized that the doors should be open to those who are looking for opportunities, qualified and in need. These statements show that a different immigration policy was followed than the previous administration. With the end of the mechanism announced by the President of the time, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, immigrants are required to have an employment contract before moving to the country. This new regulation states that priority will be given to the entry of qualified professionals, students, those from Portuguese-speaking countries and those seeking family reunification.
In Portugal, the right-wing party Chega, led by André Ventura, performed successfully in the general elections in March, quadrupling its representation in parliament. The Democratic Alliance Government needs Chega’s support. This situation means that right-wing politics is getting stronger and rising.
To give other examples from Europe, for example, there are about 400,000 irregular migrants in Montenegro, and the government plans to restructure the migration and border agency and increase the number of staff to solve this problem. This plan is an indication that with the rise of right-wing politics in Europe, governments are taking tougher measures on migration.
In Portugal, there are about 800,000 immigrants, who make up 14% of the taxpayer. In 2022, they contributed more than 1.6 billion euros to the economy, but they receive around 257 million euros worth of social assistance. Migrants are at risk of working in precarious jobs and facing low wages, despite making significant contributions. The Migration Observatory also highlights that some sectors could collapse without foreign workers.[2]
Under former Prime Minister António Costa in Portugal, immigrants have long faced severe delays in obtaining residency and other documents. This has also made it difficult for many people to access housing and jobs.
The Migration Action Plan presented in Lisbon affirms the end of the exceptional regime that was the source of the conflicts. The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, which is said to be not working effectively enough, regulated the situation of 180,000 migrants in 2023, but accumulated a list of 400,000 unsupervised claims. Legislative changes will not affect people who are already in administrative processes.[3]
The Chega Party uses immigration policy as its main focus. The new rule is aimed at attracting a skilled workforce and foreign university students. Border control will be carried out by the Foreigners and Borders Unit. The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum will be strengthened with more staff.
Portugal implements these measures with the aim of facilitating immigration processes, ensuring transparency, and meeting the immediate needs of immigrants in the country. This step highlights the government’s commitment to managing migration effectively and responsibly in the face of a growing number of foreign residents.
The Migration Action Plan includes measures such as golden visas that facilitate residency in exchange for real estate purchases and residence permits for social investments in immigrant integration projects. The Portuguese Government, on the other hand, announced the opening of an emergency reception center for 200 people in Lisbon and stated that they will host newly arrived migrants who have no place to shelter.[4]
[1] “Portugal tightens immigration rules”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/portugal-toughens-migration-rules-after-swing-right-2024-06-03/, (Date of Access:03.06.2024).
[2] Ibid.
[3] “Portugal changed its policy and tightened the rule to regularize immigrants”, Morning Express, https://morningexpress.in/portugal-changes-its-policy-and-tightens-the-rule-to-regularize-immigrants/, (Date of Access: 03.06.2024)
[4] “Portugal changed its policy and tightened the rule to regularize immigrants”, Morning Express, https://morningexpress.in/portugal-changes-its-policy-and-tightens-the-rule-to-regularize-immigrants/, (Date of Access: 03.06.2024).
