Economies with the largest STRI decrease in 2024 were Portugal, Greece and India (Figure 5).
In 2024, Portugal introduced a series of amendments to statutes of professional associations as part of a broader reform package. Amendments of the Statute of the Order of Engineers, the Statute of the Portuguese Bar Association, and the Statute of the Order of Auditors eased foreign practitioners’ access to professions related to construction, legal and accounting services. The reforms removed explicit nationality restrictions for practicing these professions, eliminated requirements to practice locally for at least one year to obtain a license, and removed the necessity for foreign professionals to re-do their university degree in order to obtain a license in Portugal. Moreover, restrictions regarding unsolicited and comparative advertising by lawyers and law firms were repealed, and commercial association between lawyers and other professionals are now allowed.
In Greece, a new Code of Immigration came into effect in 2024, increasing the maximum duration of stay for foreign services suppliers from 24 to 36 months upon the initial entry permit, although specific rules and exemptions continue to apply for non-EU/EEA intra-corporate transferees. Moreover, non-EU/EEA nationals employed to promote products and provide technical support to foreign companies and consumers are no longer required to demonstrate at least two years of work experience.
India revoked the exclusive privilege of India Post to convey letters in postal services in 2024, effectively ending its monopoly in the market segment. This reform lowered barriers to competition in the sector by enabling private entities to participate in the delivery of letters. India also removed the previously applicable 2% equalisation levy on non-resident digital service providers.
