As part of its plan to help employers hire foreign workers faster and under more favourable conditions, the Portuguese authorities will sign the fast-track immigration agreement today, April 1, 2025.
Under this agreement, Portugal will process work visa applications for foreign workers with job offers within 20 days from the date of application and will make it possible for companies to hire workers through an accelerated procedure, Schengen.News reports.
The decision of the Portuguese government to process work visas faster follows multiple complaints from both foreign workers and Portuguese employers and the ongoing sharp labour shortages that the country is dealing with.
As local media explain, to be eligible for brining foreign workers to the country via the fast-track route, Portuguese employers must meet three main criteria.
When requesting foreign workers, Portuguese employers will be required to present a valid employment contract, proof that they offer suitable accommodation, and proof that they will offer training to foreign workers, if needed.
By making the proof of accommodation mandatory, the Portuguese authorities want to ensure that foreign workers are being treated fairly and offered adequate conditions in line with the country’s laws.
Issues like this [accommodation] make it even more important for the government to detail the rules for the green lane for immigration.
The authorities are yet to clarify what adequate housing should look like and provide more information on the matter.
Fast-Track Route for Foreign Workers Welcomed
The new move to bring foreign workers to the country faster has been welcomed by both Portuguese employers and foreign workers.
However, there is still some uncertainty about whether the scheme will be effective. As Publico explains, Rodrigo Vicente, who is a lawyer, said that taking into account the long delays that foreign workers have been facing so farthe government has to prove that this is not just another measure that will not work.
We recently had the case of a Brazilian executive who was hired to run a hotel in the Algarve and waited more than 90 days for her work visa. Therefore, the government will have to prove that this is not just another measure announced that will not work.
Portugal is currently in need of a large number of foreign workers. Data show that there is a gap of up to 100,000 workers in different sectors across the country.
Since some sectors are dealing with deeper shortages than others, it is believed that visa processing will be prioritised for those more in need. However, it is still to be seen how the Portuguese government will move on with this plan.