Portugal struggling to draw in large numbers of skilled foreign workers
Portugal trails in attracting highly skilled foreign workers among European Union (EU) member states, according to Eurostat data released in 2023. Out of 89,000 EU Blue Cards issued to workers from non-EU countries, only 26,000 were granted in Portugal. This contrasts sharply with neighboring Spain, where 370 such authorizations were made, and Germany, which welcomed over 69,000.
The EU Blue Card is a work and residence permit intended for highly skilled professionals from countries outside the EU. According to the statistics office, approximately 89,000 such workers will be welcomed in the EU in 2023. At the other end of the spectrum, Cyprus failed to award any EU blue cards to highly qualified talent. Hungary followed closely with 17,000 authorizations, while Slovakia recorded 24,000 approvals.
Recently, at the Annual Labor Conference, Cesar Araujo, president of the National Association of Clothing and Apparel Industries (ANIVEC), emphasized the need for regulated immigration. He underscored that while the country needs workers from abroad, they must be highly qualified. "We do not want low-skilled professionals," he stressed. "We want highly qualified professionals who will help us with the transformation. We have to regulate immigration and bring in professionals with added value."
Portugal faces several challenges in attracting highly qualified foreign talent. The country grapples with a housing shortage, immigration case backlogs, political uncertainty, workforce shortages in specific sectors, and competition from other European nations offering competitive salaries and benefits. These factors contribute to the country's lower ranking in welcoming highly skilled foreign workers.
Despite Portugal's struggles in attracting highly skilled foreign workers, the country could potentialize its Finance sector by focusing on the attraction of qualified professionals. Cesar Araujo, president of ANIVEC, suggests regulated immigration as a solution, advocating for the influx of highly qualified professionals who can contribute to Portugal's Business sector and aid in the nation's transformation.
