Businesspeople and migration experts warn of the risks faced by those who move to Portugal without proper preparation. Brazilians will be able to enter the country without a visa and apply for a residence permit.
The changes promoted by the Assembly of the Republic in the Foreigners Law (23/2007), which favor citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), especially Brazilians and Timorese, tend to expand the supply of labor in Portugal. There are sectors facing a severe shortage of workers, especially those in construction and agribusiness. The prospect is that, as soon as the new text of the legislation is sanctioned by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the flow of immigrants from the CPLP to Portuguese territory will gain new momentum. But businesspeople and immigration experts warn: you need to plan very well before leaving your home country for Portugal.
“There is no doubt that CPLP citizens will be important in filling the job vacancies that are open in Portugal, especially Brazilians, due to their enormous ease of adaptation. However, moving to another country requires good preparation, as the risk of frustration is high”, says businessman Fábio Mazza. His warning gains strength because, with the changes in the Foreigners Law, people from Brazil and East Timor will be able to enter Portugal and, once in the country, request a residence permit. “But this facility must be evaluated very carefully, that is, only those who really have the means to remain in the country should emigrate to Portugal”, he adds.
The same recommendation is made by Nuno Coelho, director of the real estate development company Overseas. “There is no such thing as an enchanted land. Exchanging one country for another requires great care. What's the point of having ease of entry into Portugal, but being in a vulnerable situation, sometimes worse than in the country of origin?” he asks. He highlights that, when they are in a fragile situation, immigrants end up accepting underemployment, with insufficient salaries to cover even basic expenses, such as food and housing. “Unfortunately, there are people who take advantage of this vulnerability. Therefore, it is important not to delude yourself into thinking that life will be better in Portugal than it is in your home country,” he stresses.
Coelho, who also has companies in Brazil, says that, just like in Portugal, there is a shortage of labor in several sectors of the Brazilian economy. “And we have to consider that, in Brazil, there are many more job opportunities, and, in certain professions, salaries are higher than in Portugal”, he points out. “In the case of a good construction foreman, companies are paying, on average, R$15,000 (2.3 thousand euros) per month in Brazil. In Portugal, it is more difficult to find a salary like that”, he emphasizes. “This type of comparison should be taken into account when deciding to move to another country,” he adds.
Many problems
Fábio Mazza recommends that, whether with a work search visa or as a tourist to later apply for a residence permit, Brazilians need to do their math carefully to be sure that, with a salary in Portugal, they will be able to cover all expenses. expenses. “There are taxes, social security contributions, housing, food, transportation, health and education costs, among others. Many people do not take this data into consideration when emigrating. Therefore, it is important to inform yourself, prepare yourself, and check whether your new life will really mean an improvement in relation to your life in Brazil,” he highlights. “Being an immigrant is not easy, even for those who change countries under more favorable conditions,” he adds.
Immigration specialist, Fábio Knauer, CEO of Aliança Portuguesa, reinforces the importance of planning for those who wish to emigrate. There are many reports of people who sold the little they had in their home country and moved to Portugal. Soon, the money ran out and it was necessary to seek help to return to their origins. “Paradise does not exist. There is no point in having ease in entering a country if there is no way to support yourself,” he says. Nuno Coelho endorses: “Before thinking about what might work as an immigrant, you need to focus on the problems to be faced, which are many.”
For António Fiúza, president of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Rio de Janeiro, the facilities approved by the Portuguese Parliament related to CPLP citizens represent a significant advance in integration and cooperation between member countries. “But if, on the one hand, these actions encourage the exchange of talents, investments and job opportunities, promoting joint development, on the other hand, there are challenges such as ensuring that these facilities are implemented in an equitable and efficient manner, respecting the legislation locations in each country and avoiding social or political tensions”, he highlights. There are countries in Europe, including Port