In the face of staff shortages in certain sectors, Portugal has just amended its law to attract more foreigners, especially remote workers.
Portugal is facing a labor shortage in tourism or construction. To address this, the state has amended the so-called “foreigners” law to facilitate immigration and in particular the reception of “digital nomads,” according to the text issued by the president of the republic on Thursday.
This new immigration law, passed by Parliament in July, provides in particular Temporary visa for 120 days for foreigners looking for work. The visa can be extended for 60 days.
This law should also Facilitating visa procedures for “digital nomads”These employees work while traveling thanks to the possibilities offered by remote work.
Amendment of the immigration law It should benefit the tourism sector in particularPortugal, one of the countries hardest hit by labor shortages, as in other European countries.
This sector is one of the main drivers of the recovery of the Portuguese economy. After being severely affected by the health crisis, he would have been infected Need about 50,000 additional employeesMinister of State for Tourism Rita Marques said on Tuesday.
According to the last Portuguese population census taken in 2011, The number of foreigners residing in Portugal has increased by 40% over the past decadeto more than 550,000 people out of a total population of 10.3 million, but it was not enough to reverse the demographic decline observed during this period.
The text was adopted on July 21 by the votes of the Socialist Party, which has an absolute majority in Parliament, and the left-wing opposition.
The Social Democratic Party (PSD), a center-right political formation and a major opposition party, abstained, while the far-right Shiga (Enough) party did not participate in the vote. ‘Portugal needs immigrants’ for Its demographics, its economy and its culture.On this occasion, Ana Catarina Mendes, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, explained.
This simplification of procedures was the subject of an agreement within the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) aimed at encouraging the movement of workers and students between member states, including Brazil and the former Portuguese colonies in Africa.
