Portugal Vs Spain: The Spanish Strike Back

By Max Coutinho

The best way to gather intelligence is definitely through conversation with the people. 

Word on the ground is that Spain is changing its Immigration Policies: before, migrants had to be/work in Spain for 3 years before being eligible to apply for a Residence Permit. Now, migrants only need to be there for 2 years and then go to the Ayutamiento and apply for the Permit. 

The above described may seem of little importance, but in fact it represents a new form of Diplomatic Warfare: young migrant labour, in an ever old Europe, is gold. And the countries that succeed in managing them will be richer than ever. 

Spain is changing its policies, why? Because its neighbour, Portugal, has a very interesting policy: migrants work there for one year, discounting for Social Security, and they become eligible to apply for a Residence Permit of 2 years, renewable for another period of 3 years, at the end of which they can apply for Nationality. Vision: 

• Portugal benefits from young blood (even if temporarily), 

• It reduces its Social Security Hole

• It has enough funds to pay pensions (since it insists on having a counter-productive redistributive system) and

• It develops itself. 

Spain and Portugal compete - this is a fact. So, the Spanish will do everything they can to prevent Portugal from moving forward. Sure, “Somos Hermanos” but even Cain envied and eventually killed Abel. Having said this, Madrid looked at Lisbon and saw the threat posed by the Lusitanian Immigration Policy, and how well to do they will soon be if they don’t make a move; but they also saw the opportunity to steal the limelight from Portugal due to the following factors: 

• In spite of the appearances, the Portuguese legalisation system is complex, corrupt and right now is stuck (SEF - the Immigration Services - are not moving fast enough to legalise the thousands of migrants waiting either to get their Expression of Interest accepted or to have their Residence Card issued) - there are people waiting for over 3 years to have a TRC (Temporary Residence Card) which keeps them captive in the country, meaning: they can’t visit their loved ones back home

• All the pressure has been put on SEF

• The minimum wage in Portugal is €665 - a misery when we think that from this 11% will be deducted for Social Security

• Rents in Portugal are high (how can a person earning minimum wage afford leaving with dignity in a house?)

• Portuguese authorities do not inspect foreign shops or offices to have a clear view of the exploitation going on in the country (e.g. there are people working 12 hours/day, with no day-off, and earning €250/month)

Why is it an opportunity for Spain?

• Migrants don’t need the Immigration services to register themselves, in Spain. They go to Ayuntamiento and then wait for the letter to reach home in order to get the Residence Permit

• Local governments participate in the legalisation process

• Minimum wage in Spain is around  €1,000

• Rents are cheaper

• Oversight is more rigorous

Migrants, in Lisbon, are already saying that if confirmed they will all move to Spain and try their chances there...even if we are talking of a Psychological Warfare: Spain has already won.

Portugal better watch its back. Spain Strikes Back - and not for the first time….

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