Portugal’s government has authorised the installation of dedicated UK Passport holder corridors at two of its airports to enable the smooth flow of post-Brexit holidaymakers.
Prime Minister, António Costa, stated that, “Millions of Britons visit Portugal as tourists every year, we have to ensure the flow is not interrupted.”
The first two sites to be prepared are the Algarve's Faro airport and Funchal airport on Madeira, both of which will install and operate special facilities for passengers with UK passports.
The prime minister also announced a raft of measures to help Portuguese businesses that may well be hit by the UK’s exit from the European Community if gthere is no last minute deal, the so-called, ‘hard Brexit.’
Costa has set aside a €50 million credit line for the country’s exporters most likely to be hit by a drop in trade.
The PM also announced that 60 additional customs officers are to be hired for post-Brexit border checks.
In the UK, the Portuguese government is to boost consular assistance for the estimated 400,000 nationals that may be concerned and affected by status and employment issues.
The government line for British residents in Portugal is that they will be able to retain their residence and other rights, including access to state healthcare. Of the estimated 45,000 Britons living in Portugal, only 23,000 of them are said to be registered.
Around13 million tourists visited Portugal last year, but the number of British fell by a tenth due to Brexit fears and the poor exchange rate.
As well as keeping British residents happy, the government is to launch a major promotional campaign in the UK to encourage visitor numbers.
Comments
And I wish them luck but given that they have been going for around 50 years and there are more and more people across Europe who are raising their concerns against the EU I can't see 're-establishment' happening any time soon. By the way, have a read of the Lisbon Treaty.
There are 27 European countries that, more or less, are contented with the European Union.
And when Britain leaves, with or without a deal, the EU 27 will be able to get down to the business.of re-establishing the Union.
Yes, because the people of Greece, Italy, Poland, Hungary and Netherlands are all really happy with the EU elite.
What do you want... do you get respect from your own police, l think not.
Doesn't mean EU was "not good". On the contrary: in the last 70 years we have free movement of goods and persons and with 500 million people we have something to say in the (economical and political) world. We had no more wars and everybody became wealthier and probably also richer.
Today there is maybe one (big) negative point: its presidents are too soft and to weak and as the proverbe - unfortunately - says: the chain is only as strong as the weakest ring...
The UK is part of the EU for 50 years. Why do they prefer to leave the EU ? Are they not willing to make a positive contribution to the community ? Can they not pour enough money out of the EU ? Or is this the typical "Island syndrom" ? Difficult to understand...
It is what happens in a Ponzi scheme, it only takes one investor to withdraw and the whole thing collapses.