I left Portugal for one reason only: Projeto de Lei n.º 20/XVII/1, the Nationality Law.
Whether choosing a new home or a second home, there is only one advantage that Portugal has over the plethora Latin American and Southeast Asian countries with bloated bureaucracies, struggling economies: Access to an EU passport. We put up with the constant barrage of locals trying to scam “the gringos” and do our best to enjoy the gorgeous nature and beaches and local flavour in Portugal, as we would do in Costa Rica or Bali. Remove the prospect of the EU passport, and there are hundreds of places to live this experience that are less expensive and more welcoming.
When I moved to Portugal, I quickly found a group of like-minded immigrants from all over the world, facing the same struggles and with the same end goal. We were all in similar income brackets, so could afford to dine in the same restaurants and live in the same neighbourhoods, and we put up with Portugal’s difficulties together. After a few years, we became close friends, and built a life here. But the moment this Nationality Law was proposed, everyone started doing the math and making alternate plans, and then one day they were all gone. Thanks to my time in Portugal, I have good friends all over Europe now: Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Germany, but I have none left in Portugal. The exodus happened faster than I thought. So there is not much left for me in Portugal, other than memories, and a deep feeling of being cheated.
When I think of Portugal, I feel anger. The country set out a set of conditions that were extremely challenging, but achievable, and then as soon as we approached the finish line and were about to be accepted as equals in this country, we were told that we were not worthy and that the promise of citizenship in 5 years was a lie. We will carry this feeling of betrayal with us forever.
I cannot adequately communicate the goodwill that this law has destroyed. The moment it was proposed, every immigrant’s perspective shifted immediately. Everyone I knew in Portugal is gone or planning to leave, and the mood is openly hostile. None gained a passport and all are starting over in a new country, with years of time and money wasted.
Portugal does not want you to become Portuguese, it wants to extract money from you and then it wants you to leave. If you are looking to build a new life and a new home, choose somewhere else. Portugal will go to any length, including changing the rules on you retroactively, to make sure you will never feel like you belong here.