“I believe that steps are being taken towards establishing a more streamlined, easier, and expedited regime, overcoming the current constraints we know exist,” Montenegro stated.
Since August 2023, Macau has not accepted new residence applications from Portuguese citizens for “performing specialized technical functions,” allowing only justifications related to family reunification or previous connections to the territory.
The guidelines have eliminated a practice established following Macau’s transition in 1999.
Portuguese nationals are now issued a ‘blue card,’ a permit tied to employment without the benefits afforded to residents, such as healthcare or education.
The sole alternative to secure a resident identity card is through applying for recent programs aimed at attracting qualified professionals.
“We are concerned about the residence visas for all those who wish to come to this territory to work and assist Macau’s institutions in performing their duties,” Montenegro confirmed.
The prime minister emphasized that the procedures for obtaining residency “are crucial, often influencing the decisions of those seeking professional opportunities” in Macau.
“We are talking about individuals with various qualifications who seek to assist in developing many activities where our community plays a significant role,” Montenegro highlighted.
The 2021 census reports more than 2,200 Portuguese-born individuals residing in Macau. The latest estimate provided to Lusa by the Consulate-General of Portugal indicated around 155,000 Portuguese passport holders among Macau and Hong Kong’s residents.
Montenegro assured that both Portugal and Macau desire this process to be as streamlined as possible and that the rules should not deter this positive mobility.
The prime minister mentioned that both governments “are in contact” and will “continue” the dialogue initiated with the visit to Macau by Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel in late March.
At the time, Rangel mentioned that the “dialogue follow-up” initiated with Sam Hou Fai would occur at the seventh meeting of the Portugal-Macau Joint Commission, the first since 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Montenegro revealed today that the commission will meet between February 4 and 6, 2026, marking this as “one of the tangible outcomes” of the meeting with Sam Hou Fai.
In a statement, the Macau government only mentioned that the Chief Executive and the Portuguese prime minister “exchanged views on bilateral relations and topics of mutual interest.”
