Portugal has made a significant shift in its immigration policy by ending the practice of allowing migrant workers who arrive illegally to stay in the country while applying for work permits. Deputy Minister Rui Armindo Freitas, responsible for immigration policy, explained that this change aligns Portugal with broader European regulations. However, critics from non-governmental organizations argue that this decision caters to populist pressure and highlights the disorganized nature of the country’s immigration policies.
Freitas stated that the previous loophole, which allowed migrants to enter the country and apply for permits afterward, led to a backlog of around 400,000 applications. The immigration agency, AIMA, has struggled to process these applications, some of which have been pending for two years. Freitas assured that the situation should be under control by June of next year, allowing Portugal to address long-standing immigration challenges.
Migrants are vital to Portugal’s economy, with many workers coming from countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, and India to harvest crops like berries and olives. However, since June, migrants must apply for residence permits at Portuguese embassies or consulates before entering the country. This new requirement has caused frustration, particularly as some countries of origin lack Portuguese embassies, forcing workers to travel long distances to submit their applications.
Agricultural employers are concerned about the impact on their businesses. Luis Mira, secretary-general of the Portuguese Farmers’ Association, criticized the new rules, saying that they create excessive bureaucracy and delays. He emphasized the need for migrant workers during harvest seasons and warned that the new policy could disrupt Portugal’s agricultural productivity.
Portugal’s growing economy depends heavily on migrant labour, with workers from Asia employed in low-wage sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and construction. However, many migrants arrive without the necessary documentation and are forced to wait years for residence permits. During this time, they contribute to the economy through taxes and social security payments.
The tightening of immigration rules comes amid rising anti-immigration sentiment in Portugal, driven by far-right populist parties like Chega, which has gained popularity by advocating for stricter immigration controls. Chega has pushed for immigration quotas and even suggested holding a referendum on the issue. The party’s success in the 2024 elections, where it secured nearly 50 parliamentary seats, reflects the growing hostility toward migrants in the country.
Despite the populist pressure, Deputy Minister Freitas has argued that the government’s goal is not to reduce immigration but to create clearer regulations that ensure migrants’ rights and prevent the exploitation of labour. Freitas believes that these new rules will help protect migrants from human trafficking networks and ensure their safety in Portugal.
However, organizations working with migrant workers are skeptical about the impact of the new policy. Alberto Matos, from the nonprofit Solidariedade Imigrante (Solim), expressed concerns that the number of undocumented migrants will rise if workers can no longer legalize their status upon arrival. He warned that this could undermine Portugal’s efforts to regulate immigration and might lead to more migrants entering the country illegally, further complicating the situation.