In a recent opinion piece in Visão, Marcelo Avelino Copelli makes a striking argument: Portugal needs immigrants—desperately—but still struggles to say so out loud. His column warns that the country risks creating “a problem that only exists because nobody wants to govern it,” as political hesitation and social discomfort prevent Portugal from embracing a reality that is already shaping its future.
At the center of Copelli’s argument is a demographic and economic truth that Portugal can no longer afford to ignore. The country is aging faster than it can replace its workforce. Birth rates remain among the lowest in Europe, and key sectors—including agriculture, hospitality, health care, construction, and personal services—are experiencing labor shortages that strain local economies. Without immigration, Portugal’s capacity to sustain growth, maintain public services, and care for an increasingly elderly population becomes weaker each year.
Yet despite this dependence, immigration policy remains uncertain and often reactive. Copelli notes how bureaucratic delays, inconsistent rules, and political caution produce an environment that discourages newcomers and creates vulnerability. When regularization takes months or even years, people fall into precarious situations—not because they lack willingness to contribute, but because systems fail to welcome them clearly and efficiently. This mixture of need and resistance creates what Copelli calls a dangerous tension: a country that needs immigrants but refuses to articulate that need with confidence or strategy.
The consequences reach far beyond economics. Immigrants bring vitality to schools, sustain rural communities, start businesses, enrich cultural life, and help rebalance a population in decline. They also contribute to innovation and entrepreneurship—qualities Portugal increasingly needs as it positions itself in a competitive global landscape. Copelli’s article reminds readers that integration is not simply a moral imperative but a structural necessity: without newcomers, the country risks shrinking both demographically and socially.
For Portugal to move forward, the conversation must shift. Instead of framing immigration as a burden or a political flashpoint, leaders and institutions must acknowledge what Copelli makes clear: immigration is one of the few tools Portugal has to safeguard its future. That means committing to faster and fairer regularization processes, strengthening community integration efforts, combating misinformation and xenophobia, and empowering civil-society organizations that help newcomers thrive.
What must change — and how you can help:
Copelli’s article calls for a political commitment to immigration as a strategic asset, not a liability. That means:
Faster, fairer regularization and work-permit processes
Clear policies that safeguard migrants’ rights and encourage integration
Public narratives that reflect reality — acknowledging the need for newcomers, rather than fueling fear or xenophobia
Support for civil-society organizations and NGOs working on immigrant inclusion
As members of the broader Portuguese and global community, we can play a role: by welcoming diversity, by supporting inclusive policies, by valuing all people’s dignity and potential.
As Copelli argues, Portugal cannot afford to let immigration become “a crisis of neglect.” It must instead become a national priority—addressed honestly, governed responsibly, and embraced as a source of renewal.
Source: Marcelo Avelino Copelli, “Portugal precisa de imigrantes — mas não admite em voz alta”, Visão, 29 November 2025.