No. There is no cause for concern. Portugal remains an essential member of the European Union and the Schengen Zone.
On the 9th of May 2024, an article published by the Portuguese newspaper Expresso was released with a rather controversial title: “Governo diz que Portugal pode ser suspenso de Schengen”.
Translating it literally comes out to: “Government says that Portugal could be suspended from (the) Schengen (Zone).” It is noteworthy to mention the article was an exclusive and behind a paywall.
Considering the headline, many other outlets were quick to run with the news and it soon reached international spotlight. However, there is more to the headline than it meets the eye, and it is extremely unlikely that Portugal will actually be suspended from the Schengen Zone.
What Could Possibly Cause Portugal’s Suspension from the Schengen Zone?
The news broke out due to a statement given by the new government’s Minister for the Presidency, Mr. António Leitão Amaro. Specifically, the minister stated: “Senão conseguirmos, chegamos a Julho e ficamos suspensos.” Translating it to the word, it means: “If we are not able to do it, we will get to July and get suspended.”
The direct quote generated a massive amount of controversy. The Minister was directly referencing the upcoming Smart Borders – the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the Electronic Travel Information Authorisation (ETIAS).
The Smart Borders systems are a new external border control policy – which the European Union has requested to be “ready to be implemented” in each EU country’s external borders by July 2024, in order to be fully operational in October 2024.
Portugal’s rumoured suspension comes from the country possibly not being ready to implement the Smart Borders systems due to a lack of a public contest held for the acquisition of the suitable equipment.
However, Portugal’s governmental agency Sistema de Segurança Interna (System for Internal Security) has already made significant progress in the Smart Borders implementation, with two contracts under review from the Portuguese Court of Accounts regarding the equipment acquisition.
An Expresso source even refers it is “not likely that Portugal does not deliver the “certificate of readiness” in July, for the (EES) to be operational by October. In short, the Portuguese government is already doing everything accordingly to have a seamless EES operation in October.
The Political Context Behind the Portugal Rumoured Suspension from the Schengen Zone
The comments provided by the Minister for the Presidency, who is part of the new Portuguese government, cannot be detached from the surrounding political context. Mr. António Leitão Amaro is both a Minister and the vice-president of PSD (Social Democratic Party). It is important to note that for the past 8 years, between 2015 and 2024, until April, Portugal was governed by PS (Socialist Party) - PSD’s main parliamentary rival.
Furthermore, the article from Expresso refers that the Minister “naturally blames” the previously government headed by PS and its leader, António Costa for “not having had the capacity to launch the public contest for the equipment acquisition.”
The comments can easily be interpreted as a critique of the previous government’s inefficiencies rather than a statement of what is to come. At the end of the day, Portugal is a key member of the European Union and its possible suspension from the Schengen Zone is not a realistic scenario – the impact alone on the broader European market would be far too immense. Portugal is a gateway to the rest of Europe, and so many imported and exported goods pass by Portugal first before getting to other EU countries.
Portuguese Residency Still the Key to Access the Schengen Zone
With Portugal gearing up to be fully prepared in July to fully adopt the EES in October, the country will continue to be a full-time member of the Schengen Zone. Accessing it will also remain a right to all legal Portuguese Residents – even if limited by the Schengen 90/180-Day rule. Full, unlimited access and the ability to live, work and study indefinitely in the other Schengen countries is reserved for Portuguese and most EU citizens.
Portuguese Residency can easily be obtained by through investment programmes, like the Golden Visa and the D2 Visa – longstanding government-official initiatives that bestow Residency in exchange for an economic investment in Portugal. Obtaining Residency by Investment also qualifies its holders to apply to Portuguese Citizenship after 5 years.
Portugal Homes is Portugal’s leading Residency by Investment & Real Estate company, and we provide Residency Visa solutions and the best properties available on the market. If you have any questions or doubts, are interested in obtaining Residency or a property in Portugal, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Read more:
Staying in Schengen Zone: the 90/180-day rule explained
How to get Portuguese Citizenship through a Residency Investment
Portuguese Nationality Law 2024 Amendment: 5 Years to Citizenship to be Counted from Date of Residency Application
