Portugal Sees 24% Decline in Work Visas Following Stricter Migration Rules

Portugal has experienced a notable reduction in the number of work visas issued to foreigners over the past three months, following the introduction of its new Action Plan for Migration.

Authorities have confirmed that the number of work visas granted between June, July, and August 2024 fell by 24 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.

Only 1,266 work visas were approved during this three-month period in 2024, in contrast to the 1,666 work visas issued in the same months of 2023. Despite this significant drop in recent months, the overall data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggests that the number of work visas issued from January to August 2024 has increased compared to the same period last year.

The Ministry revealed that between January and August 2024, Portugal issued 9,262 work visas, which represents an increase of approximately 15 per cent from the first eight months of 2023. While the Ministry did not disclose specific details regarding the nationalities of those granted visas, it indicated that the embassies in cities such as Luanda, Praia, New Delhi, São Paulo, São Tomé, Bissau, Maputo, Dili, Rio de Janeiro, and Bangkok approved the highest number of work visas.

Under the newly implemented Action Plan for Migration, Portugal has introduced stricter criteria for foreigners wishing to work in the country. One of the key changes is that non-EU citizens are no longer permitted to migrate to Portugal without securing an employment contract beforehand.

This new rule, requiring foreigners to have a signed work contract in place before applying for a work visa, has been introduced to curb what the Portuguese government sees as potential abuses of the previous system. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, addressing the public when these changes were introduced, explained that the goal was to "avoid excessive abuse of the system." He added that the government would now prioritize attracting skilled foreign talent and facilitating their integration into Portuguese society.

In addition to these visa regulations, the Portuguese government has made it clear that its focus is on promoting regular migration and has underscored its commitment to preventing irregular migration and human trafficking. As part of the broader reforms, officials are currently reviewing the entry requirements to ensure compliance with these goals and to safeguard the country's migration framework.

The changes reflect Portugal's evolving stance on migration, as it seeks to balance the demand for foreign workers with a structured approach to immigration and labor market integration.

By fLEXI tEAM