Portuguese lawyer Marcos Pires interacts with Portuguese nationals of Goan origin at the St Vincent de Paul (Osterley) Church hall, London.
LONDON
In a bid to promote greater awareness and to address concerns among Portuguese nationals of Goan origin in the UK, the Goan Overseas Association UK (GOA UK) and Portuguese Advisory Councillors in the UK organised a meeting at St Vincent de Paul (Osterley) Church hall on November 1.
The chief guest was Luis Marques Mendes, candidate for the upcoming Portuguese presidential elections on January 18, 2026, while others present included Portuguese Advisory Councillors to UK and Ireland Antonio Mota Cunha, Joao Pedro Cruz, Ciana D’Costa, and Christo Da Costa and Adv Marcos Pires, a Portuguese lawyer well-versed with Portuguese law and a practising lawyer in London. These councillors have the responsibility to bridge the link between Portuguese nationals and the Portuguese Consulate to ensure smooth working for various issues among their citizens in the UK and Ireland.
GOA UK President Ravi Vaz welcomed the gathering, comprising a number of Portuguese Goans from in and around London.
The meeting began with Mass celebrated by Fr Feroz Fernandes SFX, Parish Priest at St Vincent de Paul (Osterley), in West London.
After Mass, a short entertainment was presented by a group of Goan children who performed a traditional Portuguese and Goan dance. They were trained by Sharlotte Pires and Reema Pereira, who run a dance group, ‘Mankulim Motion’.
KEY ISSUES
Joao Cruz and Ciana D’Costa then addressed the key issues confronting the Portuguese Goans in the UK.
Ciana requested all Portuguese nationals of Goan origin to approach the Portuguese Consulate in London and get their Digital Mobile Key, to enable them to log in to the online citizen portal and gain access to many facilities, including renewal of ‘Cartao de Cidadao’ (BI) and updating their residential address.
Ciana advised the Portuguese Goans to learn the Portuguese language and informed them that facilities are planned to have local teaching classes for all ages around geographical areas, for a minimum of 30 students. She added that an online facility will be available for those unable to attend physical classes.
Joao also stressed the importance of keeping the Portuguese Consulate updated with the latest residential addresses before the end of November, or else postal ballot papers to voters would reach their old addresses. He advised all Portuguese Goan voters to take part in the presidential elections, since key changes were likely to take place by the new government.
Portuguese lawyer Marcos Pires interacts with Portuguese nationals of Goan origin at the St Vincent de Paul (Osterley) Church hall, London.
Marcos Pires, a Portuguese lawyer fluent in Portuguese laws and a practising lawyer in London, explained the new changes likely to take place in Portugal. He said learning the Portuguese language would be one of the main requirements for all those desiring to acquire Portuguese citizenship.
“Partners or spouses of Portuguese nationals who hold other nationalities and wish to apply for Portuguese citizenship will now be required to know the Portuguese language. Besides, Portuguese history should also be learnt, which will be part of a requirement,” he said.
Marcos Pires agreed to provide assistance to those who are experiencing difficulty with issues with the Portuguese Consulate, such as booking an appointment or even approaching the London Consulate office to correct their residential address.
Many Portuguese Goans had complained that though the Portuguese government has improved the online booking facilities, many still find it hard to get through to the Consulate in London.
GOA UK President Ravi Vaz said his association was keen to ensure the Goans avoid paying agents for services available for free at the Portuguese Consulate.
“The GOA UK will be the main social platform to post all updates from the Portuguese government and also instructions on procedures for consular services. This will help Goans with Portuguese nationality to be abreast with the latest information,” said Ravi.
“The GOA UK website (goauk.com) will soon have a section dedicated to Goans of Portuguese nationality, giving them information on relevant matters and updates released by the Portuguese government and the Portuguese Consulate in London.”
Ravi added that the Goa UK plans to have roadshows at different cities, towns and boroughs where there is a concentration of Goans, in order to make it easy for Portuguese Goans to seek information and advice on matters pertaining to their nationality.
At the meeting, Salvador Pereira, a social worker from Hounslow, focused on essential issues confronting the Portuguese Goans, such as appointments at the Consulate for renewal of passports and BI cards, and other facilities.
THE PLATFORM
Speaking to The Goan, Fr Feroz Fernandes said he was happy to host the meeting at his Church hall, as it would provide a forum for Portuguese Goans to understand their situation and to resolve their concerns and issues.
Goan children performing a dance at the St Vincent de Paul (Osterley) Church hall, London.
“The GOA UK is taking this lead with other representatives to make sure that important information and updates pertaining to Portuguese nationals and facilities at the Portuguese consulate can be disseminated among Goans who hold Portuguese nationality,” said Fr Feroz.
Ravi Vaz informed that the meeting at the Osterley Church hall on November 1 was the second such meeting organised by the GOA UK.
“The first such meeting was organised in 2018, when the United Kingdom was in the process of moving away from the European Union, as part of Brexit. The GOA UK wanted to understand the requirements of the Portuguese nationals of Goan origin who have settled in the UK,” said Ravi.
