Portugal Plans to Simplify Foreign Entry Procedures to Address Labor Shortages
Summary of Key Points:
- Portugal is taking steps to address labor shortages by expediting the entry of foreign workers.
- Manuel Castro Almeida, Minister of State and for Territorial Cohesion, emphasized efforts to streamline the process, particularly to meet the demands of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
- Despite progress, Almeida acknowledged that labor shortages remain a persistent challenge for the country.
Portugal’s Strategy to Tackle Labor Shortages
On December 23, Minister Manuel Castro Almeida highlighted the government's focus on simplifying the entry of foreign workers to address labor gaps, particularly in executing PRR projects. He noted that over 40% of the plan has been implemented, with €2.9 billion recently received from Brussels to support further progress.
However, Almeida acknowledged that the lack of manpower continues to hinder the completion of key contracts, such as €40 million worth of school projects in northern Portugal.
Goal to Expedite Work Visas
Earlier this month, António Leitão Amaro, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, announced the government’s ambition to issue work visas within a month to tackle labor shortages.
Yet, immigration lawyer Elizabeth Lima criticized the proposal as unrealistic, pointing out that current visa processing times often take months and that adding 50 employees to consulates will not sufficiently address systemic delays.
Demand for Over 100,000 Foreign Workers
A study by the General Union of Workers (UGT), titled Migrations and Human Rights, revealed that Portugal requires 50,000 to 100,000 foreign workers annually to offset labor shortages caused by low birth rates and an aging population.
To attract foreign talent, the government has introduced measures aimed at expediting the legal entry and employment of immigrants in Portugal.