From 5 Years to 10? Over 2,000 Investors and Professionals Sign Petition Calling for Policy Stability in Portugal
A recent open letter signed by more than 2,000 foreign long-term residents has attracted significant attention across Portugal.
According to Portuguese media reports, long-term residents from various countries have submitted a petition to Portuguese President António José Seguro, as well as to the government and major political parties. The signatories are calling for policymakers to take into account the circumstances of individuals who have already established their lives, careers, and investments in Portugal, and to ensure careful consideration of transitional arrangements during the implementation of recent legal changes.
The initiative was organized by the Association for Security, Justice and Continuity (SJC), whose members include foreign residents holding entrepreneur visas, passive income visas, digital nomad visas, and highly qualified professional visas.
In the open letter, the signatories reflected on their journeys in Portugal. They explained that their decision to relocate to the country was driven not only by its high quality of life and social stability, but also by their confidence in Portugal’s future. Over the years, many have purchased or rented homes, transferred their tax residency to Portugal, established businesses, and moved personal savings, pensions, and other assets into the country. At the same time, they have invested in learning Portuguese, integrating into local communities, and, in many cases, enrolling their children in Portuguese schools. According to the letter, Portugal has become much more than a place to work or invest—it has become a central part of their long-term life plans, and they have built strong ties with Portuguese society through their continued participation and commitment.
Long-Term Investors Seek Greater Certainty
Notably, many of the petition’s signatories are holders of D-category residence visas.
According to the letter, a number of residents have made substantial investments in real estate, business operations, education, healthcare services, and other sectors of the Portuguese economy. In some cases, these investments have exceeded the thresholds associated with traditional investment programs.
The signatories argue that such long-term commitments have not only supported their personal and professional development but have also contributed positively to Portugal’s economic and social growth.
For this reason, they hope that policymakers will take into account the concerns of individuals who have already established deep roots in the country and provide greater clarity and predictability regarding future policy implementation.
In addition to concerns about policy continuity, the letter also highlights the lengthy processing times often associated with immigration-related administrative procedures.
Many long-term residents report experiencing significant delays in obtaining appointments, completing biometric registration, renewing residence permits, and handling other administrative matters.
The signatories believe that improving public service efficiency and streamlining administrative processes would not only enhance residents’ experiences but also strengthen Portugal’s attractiveness to international talent and investors.
A Call for Dialogue and Consensus
In the letter, the petitioners acknowledge that the President does not have direct responsibility for administrative decision-making. Nevertheless, they hope he can play a constructive role in encouraging dialogue and fostering broader discussion among different sectors of society.
The letter concludes with an appeal for Portugal to maintain an open, stable, and predictable environment, preserving the trust that has been built over many years among international residents and investors.
In recent years, Portugal has attracted talent and investment from around the world thanks to its quality of life, international education opportunities, favorable climate, and growing innovation ecosystem.
This collective petition reflects the continued interest of international residents in Portugal’s future direction, as well as their desire to remain actively engaged in and contribute to Portuguese society over the long term.
The contents of the letter also suggest that the majority of those who signed are not temporary residents, but individuals and families who have established homes, careers, businesses, and long-term plans in Portugal.
Regardless of how future policies evolve, maintaining a balance between effective governance, social integration, and international competitiveness—while ensuring transparency and predictability—will remain an important challenge for Portugal as a destination for global talent and investment.
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