On June 3, 2024, the Portuguese government announced a significant revision to its immigration laws, marking a major shift in the country’s immigration policy. This new regulation has far-reaching implications, particularly for those hoping to enter Portugal on a tourist visa and transition to legal residency. However, a closer examination reveals that Portugal’s new immigration policy lacks a human touch in many respects, making Malta’s permanent residency program more appealing.
Background of the New Policy
The primary goal of the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service’s reform is to address labor shortages and the pressure of case processing while fixing some loopholes in the previous immigration laws. These loopholes had led to a surge in residency applications, creating considerable challenges for immigration management. However, tightening the policies has not truly resolved the issues and may deter many potential applicants.
One of the core changes in this reform is the abolition of Article 88-2/89-2, which previously allowed applicants to automatically obtain residency based solely on a “letter of intent.” This change means that future applicants will need to provide more detailed documentation and evidence to ensure the legitimacy and reasonableness of their applications. While this tightening of policies enhances the standardization of immigration management, it undoubtedly represents a significant setback for many who hoped to obtain residency through simpler means.
New Golden Visa Model
Alongside the tightening of immigration policies, the Portuguese government has introduced a new investment immigration policy called the Visto Solidário (Solidarity Visa). This visa requires applicants to donate €250,000 to the Portuguese government in exchange for residency permission. Compared to Malta’s permanent residency program, which has a minimum investment threshold of just €70,000 and a relatively straightforward application process, this requirement appears excessively stringent.
Moreover, Portugal’s golden visa model is viewed as a form of social investment residency aimed at supporting artistic creation and cultural development. However, the donated funds are non-refundable, meaning that even if future applicants decide to forgo their golden visa status, the donated money cannot be recovered. This regulation undoubtedly increases the financial burden on applicants and raises questions about its fairness.
High Donation Requirement
The €250,000 donation required by the Portuguese government is clearly higher than the standards set by many other countries. This design may stem from the high number of applicants in Portugal, as the government seeks to control the number of applicants by raising the donation amount. However, this approach not only limits the participation of more potential applicants but also raises doubts about Portugal’s immigration policy. In contrast, Malta’s permanent residency program, with its low entry barriers and flexibility, is clearly more attractive to those looking to settle in Europe.
Through this new policy, the Portuguese government aims to better support the integration of vulnerable immigrants while attracting more private capital to support the country’s social infrastructure. However, whether the donated funds will effectively improve the living conditions of immigrants remains uncertain. Many applicants may feel disappointed by this uncertainty and turn to the more reliable Malta permanent residency program.
Overall, while Portugal’s adjustment to its immigration policy has raised the application threshold to some extent, it has also provided new opportunities for those willing to invest in culture and the arts. However, considering the high donation requirements and non-refundable nature of the policy, many potential applicants may feel frustrated. In comparison, Malta’s permanent residency program, with its low barriers, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, is clearly more appealing. For those seeking new opportunities in Europe, Malta undoubtedly represents a more ideal choice. In the future, as policies continue to improve, Malta’s immigration environment will become more mature, offering more people the chance to realize their dreams, while Portugal’s policies may gradually lose their attractiveness due to their stringent requirements.
Copyright © Malta-life.com
