UNIQ - União dos Imigrantes Qualificados

11/07/2026

Relatório da OCDE: as qualificações dos imigrantes estão a ser subaproveitadas

Os imigrantes recentes em Portugal ganham, em média, menos 28% do que os portugueses do mesmo s**o e idade. A principal razão não é uma diferença de remuneração pelo mesmo trabalho, mas o desajuste entre as qualificações das pessoas e o tipo de emprego a que conseguem aceder.

Os dados constam do relatório International Migration Outlook da OCDE e são também citados pelo Banco de Portugal.

41% dos imigrantes recentes estão empregados abaixo do seu nível de qualificação — um dos valores mais elevados da OCDE, a par de Itália, Noruega e Suécia. 57% trabalham em setores de baixos salários: turismo, restauração e construção.

As causas são estruturais: diplomas não reconhecidos ou reconhecidos com demora, a barreira linguística e, sobretudo, a escassez de oportunidades de trabalho qualificado na economia do país. Trata-se da coorte que chegou entre 2006 e 2015 — pessoas com um percurso de integração já longo no país.

O subaproveitamento das qualificações é uma perda não apenas para os próprios trabalhadores, mas para a economia portuguesa no seu conjunto.

Sobre o número de vagas qualificadas na economia, a associação pouco pode fazer. Mas o reconhecimento de diplomas, a formação complementar e a integração profissional são áreas em que nos propomos trabalhar.

05/06/2026

A Associação UNIQ apoia a petição apresentada pelo advogado Célio Sauer Júnior relativa à criação de um regime transitório no âmbito da nova Lei da Nacionalidade portuguesa.

Consideramos que um período transitório racional corresponde aos interesses de Portugal. Não põe em causa os objetivos da reforma, mas permite reforçar a sua eficácia a longo prazo, mitigando efeitos colaterais negativos, preservando a confiança jurídica e mantendo a atratividade internacional do país para investimento.

Estamos convictos de que uma reforma sólida não se mede apenas pelo rigor das suas regras, mas também pela capacidade de as aplicar com racionalidade e equilíbrio.

Por isso, apoiamos esta iniciativa e consideramos que a questão do regime transitório deve permanecer na agenda pública e parlamentar.

A petição está disponível aqui:
https://participacao.parlamento.pt/initiatives/6439

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The UNIQ Association supports the petition submitted by lawyer Célio Sauer Júnior concerning the creation of a transitional regime under Portugal’s new Nationality Law.

We believe that a rational transitional period is in Portugal’s own interest. It does not undermine the goals of the reform; rather, it helps strengthen its long-term effectiveness by mitigating negative side effects, preserving legal trust, and maintaining the country’s international attractiveness for investment.

We are convinced that a strong reform is not defined only by strict rules, but also by the ability to apply them with rationality and balance.

For this reason, we support this initiative and believe that the issue of a transitional regime should remain on the public and parliamentary agenda.

The petition is available here:
https://participacao.parlamento.pt/initiatives/6439

Exmo. Senhor Presidente da Assembleia da República Regime de Transição - Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, de 18 de maio ======================================================================== SUMÁRIO EXECUTIVO OBJETO: Adoção de regime de transição adequado para situações jurídicas constituída...

20/05/2026

A nossa Associação nasceu de um grupo de iniciativa que apresentou na Assembleia da República uma petição pela criação de um regime transitório no âmbito da alteração da Lei da Nacionalidade, com base nos princípios constitucionais da segurança jurídica, da proteção da confiança, da igualdade e da proporcionalidade.

Durante a preparação da petição, tivemos muitas conversas com portugueses e com imigrantes. Essa experiência mostrou-nos que o debate público sobre imigração está muitas vezes distorcido e que nele falta a voz dos próprios imigrantes legais, trabalhadores e integrados — pessoas que desenvolvem projetos profissionais e empresariais, estudam, pagam impostos, aprendem a língua e a cultura portuguesas, criam os seus filhos e querem construir o seu futuro em Portugal.

Foi por isso que decidimos transformar o nosso trabalho numa estrutura associativa estável.

A UNIQ está preparada para atuar na representação pública, na defesa dos direitos dos imigrantes legais, no apoio à integração e no diálogo construtivo com as entidades públicas, especialistas, meios de comunicação social e forças políticas.

O nosso objetivo é tornar este diálogo mais rigoroso, direto e mutuamente benéfico: para que os interesses de Portugal e o contributo de quem aqui vive, trabalha e constrói o seu futuro sejam vistos como parte de um futuro comum.

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Our Association grew out of an initiative group that presented a petition to the Portuguese Parliament calling for the creation of a transitional regime in the context of changes to the Nationality Law, based on the constitutional principles of legal certainty, protection of legitimate expectations, equality and proportionality.

While preparing the petition, we spoke extensively with both Portuguese citizens and immigrants. This experience showed us that the public debate on immigration is often distorted and lacks the voice of legal, working and integrated immigrants themselves — people who develop professional and business projects, study, pay taxes, learn the Portuguese language and culture, raise their children and wish to connect their future with Portugal.

That is why we decided to turn our work into a stable organizational structure.

UNIQ is ready to work on public representation, the protection of legal immigrants’ rights, support for integration and constructive dialogue with public authorities, experts, the media and political forces.

Our goal is to make this dialogue more accurate, direct and mutually beneficial: so that Portugal’s interests and the contribution of those who live, work and build their future here are seen as part of a common future.

08/05/2026

Como fomos retratados nos media... e como somos na realidade.
How we were portrayed in the media... and who we really are.
(Artigo: https://www.cmjornal.pt/sociedade/amp/imigrantes-qualificados-pedem-valorizacao-dos-estrangeiros-e-criticam-lei-da-nacionalidade)

05/05/2026

Today UNIQ appeared on the newswire of Agência Lusa — which means our position was picked up by several Portuguese media outlets, including Observador, Jornal Económico, Sábado and Correio da Manhã.

This is an important first step for our association.

The tone of some articles came out stronger than the one we intended in our original statement. Our approach remains constructive and institutional: we are not seeking confrontation, but a more balanced public conversation about immigration in Portugal.

Our goal was to make the voice of qualified immigrants publicly visible.
We believe immigration policy needs clear rules and effective management. But the debate should also recognise the contribution, skills and long-term commitment of immigrants who are already part of Portuguese society.

We are still learning how to work with the media. But today showed something important: the channel is open, and the voice of qualified immigrants can be heard in the national conversation.

We will continue.

03/05/2026

The President of Portugal has promulgated the new Nationality Law, increasing the residence period required for naturalisation.

UNIQ — União dos Imigrantes Qualificados regrets this decision.

We recognise the importance of clear rules and effective management of immigration policy. However, we believe that the increase in the naturalisation period does not fully take into account the reality of people who came to Portugal legally to work, create businesses and jobs, apply their skills and qualifications, and build their lives as part of Portuguese society.

We are also concerned that the public debate on immigration is too often focused on problems, risks and abuses, while the real contribution of immigrants to Portugal’s economy, professional environment and civic life remains insufficiently visible.

For foreign qualified professionals, entrepreneurs and researchers, the possibility of naturalisation is an important condition for stability. It is directly linked to decisions about investment, business development, professional careers and the future of their families.

An indicative survey conducted by the initiative group behind UNIQ among qualified immigrants from non-EU countries showed that, in March 2026, 21% of respondents said they would consider leaving Portugal if the law entered into force, while 22% said they would reconsider their integration plans.

UNIQ believes that immigration policy should evolve not only through stricter rules, but also through greater predictability, clearer procedures and better administrative practices.

30/04/2026

UNIQ — União dos Imigrantes Qualificados has been created!

We are pleased to announce the creation of UNIQ — União dos Imigrantes Qualificados, a non-profit association of immigrants in Portugal.

UNIQ was created by an initiative group formed around the public petition calling for a fair transitional regime in the context of the proposed extension of the residence period required for naturalisation in Portugal.

This experience showed us something important: many immigrants in Portugal are ready not only to adapt individually, but also to organise, speak responsibly, participate in public debate and contribute to the country where they live, work, study, build businesses and raise families.

UNIQ is focused on immigrants who are legally living in Portugal and are interested in professional development, entrepreneurship, education, civic participation and meaningful integration into Portuguese society.

Our planned areas of work include:

— representing the interests of qualified immigrants in dialogue with public institutions;
— preparing evidence-based positions, proposals and public statements on migration and integration policies;
— supporting access to reliable information on rights, obligations and institutional procedures;
— promoting professional development, business initiatives, education and networking;
— building partnerships with Portuguese institutions, civil society organisations, experts and community groups;
— supporting civic participation and constructive public dialogue;
— creating a community where immigrants can contribute their knowledge, experience and skills to Portugal.

UNIQ is independent, non-partisan and committed to legality, transparency, non-discrimination, human dignity and constructive cooperation with institutions.

We believe that integration is not only about adapting to Portugal. It is also about becoming active, visible and valuable participants in Portuguese society.

More information about membership, activities and ways to participate will be announced soon.