Portugal Approves New Legislation Aiming Regulated Immigration
According to local media, the government proposes amends the legal regime for the entry, stay, exit and deportation of foreigners from the Portuguese territory, among other factors, AtoZSerwisPlus.pt reports.
The new regime determines that the issuing of residence and temporary stay visas to nationals of a State from The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) Agreement isn’t dependent on a prior opinion from the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), without prejudice to the granting of visas being communicated to SEF, for the purposes of exercising its authority in matters of internal security.
This change was warned last year in Luanda when all CPLP member states signed a mobility agreement during a summit.
With this new legislation, the government also intends to create designated procedures in order to attract illegal and integrated immigrants for the country’s development, as well as change the way public administration treats immigrant cases and guarantees conditions for effective integration of immigrants.
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The government wants to proceed with the creation of a title that represents the limited duration that allows the legal entry of foreigners in Portugal who intend to work in the country. The authorities want to facilitate procedures and create the possibility of temporary stay or residence visas to also provide alternatives for remote work, as well as accompanying family members qualified with the respective titles.
“The present draft law eliminates the existence of a global contingent of employment opportunities to be established by the Council of Ministers, for the purpose of granting a visa to obtain a residence permit for the exercise of subordinate professional activity,” the local media reports.
Earlier this month, the Expat Insider 2022 report revealed that Portugal had been ranked as the best European country to live in, also listed as fourth at the international level.
According to this report, which included 11,970 respondents that were expatriates from 181 countries, Portugal is one of the best countries for its weather and air quality, as well as the possibility to attend recreational and sportive activities. In addition, 93 per cent of expats said it was easy and safe to travel across the country by bike as well as get around by foot.
Spain, France, and Italy were also among the best countries for foreigners, while Luxembourg and Malta scored the lowest.
