Secretary-general of Portugal Socialist Party (PS) Pedro Nuno Santos has criticized the government’s plan to deny free healthcare to non-resident foreigners. He spoke at the National Congress of Socialist Youth in Nazaré and argued that a decent and humane country should not refuse healthcare to foreigners even if it means tackling fraudulent use of the system in other ways. He highlighted that such measures risk damaging Portugal’s reputation as a compassionate and inclusive nation.
Read More About: Government Limit Health Service Access For Non-Residents
Pedro Criticizes Government To Restrict Free Healthcare For Foreigners
Pedro Nuno Santos stated that Portugal has the means to combat abuse of its state healthcare system (SNS). He firmly opposed measures that deny free healthcare to immigrants and foreigners without legal status.
According to him, such proposals lack compassion and do not align with Portugal’s values. He emphasized that the country’s identity is rooted in solidarity and turning away vulnerable people in need of medical care would undermine these principles.
He said:
The country is not a rich country. But it is capable of addressing issues without losing its humanity.
He emphasized that the SNS cannot cater to the entire world but also argued that effective tools exist to combat abuse and fraud without resorting to denying care outright.
He added that these tools are unspecified and would be more reasonable than the current proposals from the PSD party. Santos called on policymakers to adopt practical and fair solutions that balance protecting the system with preserving human dignity.
Pedro Nuno Santos also questioned what a humane response should look like in real-life situations. He gave the example of a pregnant foreign woman arriving at a Portuguese hospital.
He asked:
Should we turn her away? A decent country would not refuse care in such cases.
He argued that denying care will create severe consequences for public health and will ultimately reflect poorly on Portugal’s global standing.
Tackle Fraud Without Denying Access To Healthcare
The PS leader acknowledged that fraudulent access to the healthcare system does exist. He proposed that authorities should focus on identifying and dismantling trafficking networks that exploit the SNS.
Pedro said that simply restricting non-residents from accessing healthcare will be an extreme measure and counterproductive. He suggested that with proper oversight and collaboration between agencies it is possible to tackle fraud effectively while maintaining a fair healthcare system.
He criticized the PSD for their approach by describing their stance as lacking in nuance. He said:
It is one thing to find ways to charge for services; it is another thing to ignore basic humanity
He also stressed that a balanced approach will require political will and cooperation among parties to create policies that ensure fairness without compromising the SNS’s integrity. He argued that measures targeting fraud should not come at the expense of the most vulnerable members of society.
Pedro Nuno Santos did not stop at healthcare. He also criticized the government’s broader handling of immigration issues. He accused that the current administration is creating problems instead of solving them.
He pointed to recent changes in immigration laws specifically the removal of the expression of interest mechanism. This change has made it harder for immigrants to regularize their status in Portugal.
He said:
The country needs workers. But the government’s policies are making it difficult for immigrants to contribute legally
He questioned what the government plans to do with the thousands of immigrants whose applications for regularization have been rejected. He warned Portugal’s economic recovery plans will falter without new workers.
He added that these labor shortages could have far-reaching impacts on industries ranging from agriculture to technology.
Pedro Nuno Santos argued that Portugal should embrace immigration as a solution to its economic challenges.
He stated that the government’s approach has created unnecessary obstacles for immigrants many of whom are willing and able to contribute to society. He said that the government risks social inequalities and missing out on opportunities for growth by failing to address these issues.
Addressing Housing Concerns
Housing was another major focus of Pedro Nuno Santos speech. He acknowledged that access to affordable housing has become increasingly difficult during the eight years his party has been in power.
However, he promised a renewed commitment to tackling this issue. He stated that housing is a basic human right and urgent action is needed to address the growing crisis.
He called for an aggressive programme to build and rehabilitate houses across Portugal. The goal should be to provide homes not only for the most vulnerable populations but also for the middle class.
He emphasized that the government must intervene seriously in the housing market which has become highly inflated. He noted that unchecked housing inflation has driven many young people and families to financial instability.
Pedro Nuno Santos also suggested that the state should play a more active role to regulate rental prices and ensure that new developments prioritize affordability.
He called on local authorities to work closely with the central government to implement policies that balance the needs of residents with sustainable urban development.
Rejecting Far-Right Influence
Pedro Nuno Santos also addressed the rise of far-right ideologies in Portugal. He accused the government of trying to compete with the far-right party CHEGA by adopting extreme policies.
He worried that this kind of approach will make affecting behavior seem normal and turn off middle voters who care about social justice and equality.
He rejected any suggestion of collusion between the PS and CHEGA. Instead he urged the Socialist Youth to combat the spread of far-right ideologies among young people.
He said:
Fighting the extreme right is also fighting sexism, machismo, and homophobia.
He emphasized that young people have a critical role to play in protecting democratic values and promoting equality.
The new secretary-general of Socialist Youth Sofia Pereira was also elected during the congress. Pedro Nuno Santos encouraged the youth movement to focus on protecting rights and pushing back against efforts to roll them back.
He called for a united front against divisive politics urging young activists to inspire positive change in their communities.
