Portugal Experiences Increasing Trend of Openness to Immigrants Since 2000, Survey Reveals

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The ESS highlights Portugal's notable receptivity towards immigrants, along with the UK, Spain, and Norway, showcasing an increased pro-immigration sentiment since 2000.
• The assessment of immigrants as a "cultural threat" aligns with the study average, declining from level six in 2002 to below level five.
• The study also reveals that Portugal, with 1,838 participants, is part of the broader European dataset of 59,685 participants.

The latest findings from the European Social Survey (ESS) revealed that Portugal stands out as one of the nations where survey participants express a heightened receptivity towards immigrants.

Alongside the United Kingdom, Spain, and Norway, Portugal has witnessed a notable uptick in this pro-immigration sentiment since 2000.

In a statement issued on November 29, the European Commission said there had been a significant shift in how the Portuguese perceive immigration from an economic standpoint. In 2002, a majority considered it a substantial “threat,” rating it above six on a ten-point scale.

As the same authority explains, this apprehension has decreased, with the corresponding figure barely surpassing level 4. This places Portugal slightly below the average observed across the surveyed countries, reflecting a significant attitude change over the years.

With regard to immigrants being perceived as a “cultural threat,” Portugal also scores roughly the study average: while in 2002, the relevant score was at level 6, it has now fallen to below level 5.

European Commission

Recently, the Portuguese authorities have announced that starting next year, the Tax Regime for Non-Ordinary Residents (NHR) in Portugal, designed to attract immigrants and retirees to live and work in the country, may undergo changes.

At the same time, the PS party plans to propose amending the law and implementing a transitional regime for NHR in 2023. This move is seen as a response to concerns about potential negative impacts on individuals, including workers, retirees, and investors, who had intended to relocate to Portugal during this period.

The proposed transitional regime is likely aimed at providing a smoother transition for those affected by any changes in the tax framework, offering a degree of stability and predictability for individuals planning to take advantage of the NHR program.

Furthermore, Lisbon has emerged as a prominent destination for digital nomads in Portugal, attracting individuals with the lure of tax exemptions for foreigners. Data provided by the VisaGuide.World Digital Nomad Index has revealed that Portugal is positioned as the 6th country globally in terms of emigration rate as a percentage of the population. The ranking is determined by factors such as Taxes (20 per cent) and Tax-free period (20 per cent), with Portugal standing out with a tax-free period of six months.

The phenomenon is partly attributed to the high tax burden within the country. While tax exemptions can benefit foreigners, the escalating tax regime presents challenges for employees and employers in Portugal. The progressive increase, ranging from 14.5 per cent to 48 per cent, underscores the strain on the workforce.