In response to Chega leader, André Ventura, who raised doubts regarding the end of the prior visa, the minister said that it was not the prior visa that prevented corruption in Portugal and highlighted that “clear, transparent, quick and predictable procedures” are what eliminate it.
“Portugal has serious corruption problems and we have had a prior visa for the last few decades, so it was because the prior visa did not prevent corruption problems”, stated Gonçalo Matias.
“If we have clear, transparent, fast and predictable procedures, then corruption no longer has a reason to exist, there is no longer the fuel that leads to corruption”, he added.
However, the minister stressed that “any reduction in terms of prior visas will be accompanied by the reinforcement of subsequent inspections”.
The official also stated that in Europe only three countries have prior visas, namely Belgium, Italy and Greece.
“In these three cases, the prior visa is always for very high amounts, always above five million euros and only for situations of serious national interest, such as defense or public security,” he said.
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