by Nazir Ahmed
The recent talk from Portugal’s center-right coalition about changing the nationality law seems more like a political message for voters than a serious plan. The idea of extending the minimum residency requirement from 5 to 10 years and demanding stricter physical presence rules sounds firm on paper—but in reality, it’s highly unlikely to move forward.
As Portugal approaches the upcoming elections, one thing has become clear: to win votes, some politicians believe they only need to attack immigrants. Instead of addressing the real issues affecting the country—like the struggling economy, healthcare, or education—certain parties have made immigration their primary target, using fear and division as their campaign tools.
Find out the complete process for getting your Pakistani educational qualifications recognized in Portugal.
Educational equivalency in Portugal allows individuals with foreign qualifications, including degrees from Pakistan, to have their credentials officially recognized. This is essential for further education, job applications, and professional licensing in Portugal.
Navigating the immigration process in Portugal can be a complex task. The Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF), or Foreigners and Borders Service (now AIMA), is the primary government body responsible for controlling the entry and stay of foreign nationals in Portugal. Whether you are applying for a visa, seeking a residency permit, or checking your application status, understanding how SEF works is crucial.
José Malheiros, a geographer and migration specialist, has already admitted that these immigration flows will not solve the problem of aging in Portugal. And he does not hesitate: “We are and will continue to age.”
Empathy, Mr. Prime Minister. That is what I wish you this Christmas. Prove that your “no means no” was not a camouflaged and cowardly “yes means yes.”
Mr Prime Minister, try to answer this set of questions honestly and without thinking about whether your answers will attract voters who have voted for the far right.
1. Have you ever been an emigrant and felt what it's like to be treated with contempt for not speaking the language of the country where you are?
Portugal needs between 50 and 100 thousand new immigrant workers per year to fuel the Portuguese economy, revealed this Wednesday the study 'Migrations and Human Rights' presented by the UGT, quoted by radio 'Renascença': Jorge Malheiros, responsible for the research, highlighted that this need will continue in the coming decades.
Imagine if there were a general strike of all immigrants living in Portugal? The country would come to a standstill. Imagine if everyone with some immigrant ancestry left the country? Would there still be a Lusitanian nation? When you think about it, it is very contradictory to have marches against immigration in a country that was and still is built by immigrants. Both those from there who migrate here and those from here who migrate there. Portugal has always been borderless. It was like that when it launched its caravels overseas.
Will the machines and robots that will replace humans in many roles in the near future also pay taxes? Will they make social security contributions? Immigrants contribute a lot.
The anti-immigration speeches spread across Europe and led by the voices of leaders of far-right parties, who understand more than anyone the power of social media, sell the idea that “ immigrants are stealing jobs from nationals”.
The number of illegal immigrants in Europe has remained the same for 16 years and represents less than 1% of the population
A study indicates that the illegal immigrant population has remained stable since 2008 and is less than 1% of the population. It has increased in Portugal because it suffered a decline during the last crisis. Current figures are in line with 2002.
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