Madrid, April 20, 2026 (Lusa) - Portugal's president, Antonio Jose Seguro, has said during a meeting with young people in Madrid that the country "needs to make improvements to also be an extraordinary country to work in."
“What I can take away from our conversations, as a somewhat oversimplified summary, is that Portugal is an extraordinary country to live in, but that it needs to make some improvements to also be an extraordinary country to work in. And this is very much reflected in terms of career progression and salaries,” said the Head of State, who arrived in the Spanish capital on Sunday for his first official visit abroad.
The president spoke during a reception with about 40 young people studying or working in Spain at the residence of Portugal's ambassador in Madrid, José Augusto Duarte. Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel also attended the event.
He asked the young people "not to give up on Portugal" and to include "the possibility of contributing to the development of the [country’s] economy" in their plans during a statement to the media halfway through the meeting.
Several young people spoke about the opportunities and conditions Spain offers when the president asked what led them there. One young woman pointed to the difference in salaries as "a very relevant issue" in her choice.
The president asked her if there was a "substantial difference." She replied that a "very big difference" exists in a city so close to Lisbon or Porto.
"I hope that one day you have salary reasons to encourage you to return," the president added.
Portugal needs improvements to be an extraordinary country to work in, the president later said, noting that he often hears young people ask for "an efficient state and a competitive economy." "That is the reason we are here, to collect your contributions, your opinions, and above all to underline this message: Do not give up on Portugal, because Portugal needs young people very much," he added.
He told the young people that the Portuguese always take their country with them. He praised their talent and explained he wanted to "understand the reasons why they left" and if "there is a possibility of returning."
"I make a very large distinction between mobility and immigration," he told them. "Mobility is an extraordinary thing: to discover the world and, after that experience, have the opportunity to put it at the service of our country."
The president repeated his request for them not to give up on the country and to contribute to its future.
The president will meet King Felipe VI and Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, on Monday during his official visit to Madrid.
IEL/LYT // AYLS
Lusa
