The country wants to speed up the issuance of visas for a specific group of professionals linked to artificial intelligence, as part of a broader plan of public measures for this sector. The initiative is part of the National AI Agenda, already published in Diário da República, and foresees changes in the regime for welcoming highly qualified talent.
The objective is to respond to the shortage of national skills in critical areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and create conditions to attract foreign researchers and experts, in a context of accelerated technological transformation and international competition for qualified human resources.
According to the ECO news portal, the National AI Agenda brings together 32 measures and represents an investment of more than 400 million euros, mostly financed by European funds, with a reduced impact on the State Budget. The plan is led by the Ministry of State Reform.
According to the same source, the Government estimates that the implementation of these measures could accelerate the Portuguese economy by 2.7 percentage points, equivalent to an impact between 18 and 28 billion euros, in a scenario of rapid automation and adoption of generative AI.
Fast-track visas for AI talent
The newspaper writes that one of the central measures involves the creation of an accelerated visa regime for highly qualified researchers and professionals in areas of artificial intelligence considered critical and with a lack of national talent.
The publication adds that this mechanism, designated by the Executive as AI Fast Trackshould be implemented in the second half of the year and will involve the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), similar to other existing regimes.
A model yet to be detailed
Asked about the concrete operationalization of this new type of visa, the Ministry of State Reform indicated that the details will only be released in the second half of 2026, in line with the agenda’s action plan.
Currently, the website explains, there is already an accelerated visa regime, with deadlines of up to 20 days, aimed at attracting workers by companies that meet certain requirements, although this new model is aimed at specific profiles in AI.
National platform to connect talent and companies
According to , the Government also intends to develop a national employment platform dedicated to artificial intelligence, with the aim of connecting students, researchers and professionals with national companies, startups and the Public Administration.
The same source states that the involvement of entities, such as IAPMEI, suggests that this platform could also function as an instrument for attracting foreign talent, reinforcing the national technological ecosystem.
Reinforcement of academic and scientific investment
The National AI Agenda also provides for the creation of financial supplements for doctorates and research projects in areas of artificial intelligence responsibility, with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches. The publication adds that priority areas include social justice, technology ethics, cognitive psychology, AI economics and algorithm auditing, crossing engineering with social sciences and humanities.
The plan also includes initiatives aimed at fostering public and youth interest in artificial intelligence. Among them is the creation of the National Artificial Intelligence Week, starting in the second half of 2026. According to the same source, the Geração AI campaign is also planned, aimed at inspiring young people to follow academic and professional paths in the technology sector, covering the entire national territory.
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