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Immigration to Portugal
As of December 2023, Portugal had 1,703,848 foreign residents, out of 10,639,726 total, accounting for 16.01% of its population.
In 2024, AIMA reported that, of the 1,543,697 foreign residents believed to be living in Portugal, 865,881 were registered as male (56.1%), and 677,816 as female (43.9%). 61.1% of foreign citizens lived in Lisbon, Faro or Setúbal districts: these districts account for 35.1% of the country's population. According to the provisional 2024 estimates of the country's population (10,749,635) it means that around 14.36% of those living in Portugal doesn't hold Portuguese citizenship, a share in line with other major European countries such as Spain but above France's or Sweden's share.
As of December 2024, places of origin included: the Americas (36.0%), Europe (23.2%), Africa (20.4%), Asia (20.2%), and Oceania (0.1%). Major countries of origin were Brazil, India, Angola, Ukraine, Cape Verde, Nepal, Bangladesh, United Kingdom, Guinea-Bissau, Pakistan, São Tomé and Príncipe, Italy, China, France, Germany and Spain. Brazilians made up the largest group (484,596), followed by Indians (98,616) and Angolans (92,348).
The share of children born in Portugal to foreign resident mothers stood at 21.9% in 2023. The share of children born from foreign-born mothers reached 33% in 2024, up from 25% in 2022.
Immigration is the only reason that the Portuguese population still grows. Foreigners in Portugal are younger than nationals, as per the 2024 Annual Statistical Report. Immigrants have been proved to be particularly vital to some economic sectors that employ few Portuguese nationals, mainly due to low wages, such as tourism, fisheries, agriculture, catering, and civil construction.
Portugal, long a country of emigration, became a country of net immigration, from the last Portuguese overseas territories in India (until 1961), Africa (until 1975), and Far East Asia (until 1999).
India annexed the Portuguese-ruled Dadra and Nagar Haveli in 1954 and integrated Daman and Diu and Goa in 1961, ending Portuguese colonial rule in India. In 1961, the newly independent state of Benin expelled the small Portuguese garrison that was stationed at the Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá, which had been a center of Portuguese trade and influence in West Africa.
Following these events, white Portuguese settlers, people of mixed Portuguese descent, and others began migrating to Portugal. Moreover, many from the former colonies in India traveled via Karachi, a city hosting an important Goan community. In addition to civilians, the migration included approximately 3,500 Portuguese military officers, who sought to resettle in Portugal. In the first two weeks following the annexation of Goa, around 1,000 people moved to Portugal by air or by boat.
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Immigration to Portugal AI simulator
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Immigration to Portugal
As of December 2023, Portugal had 1,703,848 foreign residents, out of 10,639,726 total, accounting for 16.01% of its population.
In 2024, AIMA reported that, of the 1,543,697 foreign residents believed to be living in Portugal, 865,881 were registered as male (56.1%), and 677,816 as female (43.9%). 61.1% of foreign citizens lived in Lisbon, Faro or Setúbal districts: these districts account for 35.1% of the country's population. According to the provisional 2024 estimates of the country's population (10,749,635) it means that around 14.36% of those living in Portugal doesn't hold Portuguese citizenship, a share in line with other major European countries such as Spain but above France's or Sweden's share.
As of December 2024, places of origin included: the Americas (36.0%), Europe (23.2%), Africa (20.4%), Asia (20.2%), and Oceania (0.1%). Major countries of origin were Brazil, India, Angola, Ukraine, Cape Verde, Nepal, Bangladesh, United Kingdom, Guinea-Bissau, Pakistan, São Tomé and Príncipe, Italy, China, France, Germany and Spain. Brazilians made up the largest group (484,596), followed by Indians (98,616) and Angolans (92,348).
The share of children born in Portugal to foreign resident mothers stood at 21.9% in 2023. The share of children born from foreign-born mothers reached 33% in 2024, up from 25% in 2022.
Immigration is the only reason that the Portuguese population still grows. Foreigners in Portugal are younger than nationals, as per the 2024 Annual Statistical Report. Immigrants have been proved to be particularly vital to some economic sectors that employ few Portuguese nationals, mainly due to low wages, such as tourism, fisheries, agriculture, catering, and civil construction.
Portugal, long a country of emigration, became a country of net immigration, from the last Portuguese overseas territories in India (until 1961), Africa (until 1975), and Far East Asia (until 1999).
India annexed the Portuguese-ruled Dadra and Nagar Haveli in 1954 and integrated Daman and Diu and Goa in 1961, ending Portuguese colonial rule in India. In 1961, the newly independent state of Benin expelled the small Portuguese garrison that was stationed at the Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá, which had been a center of Portuguese trade and influence in West Africa.
Following these events, white Portuguese settlers, people of mixed Portuguese descent, and others began migrating to Portugal. Moreover, many from the former colonies in India traveled via Karachi, a city hosting an important Goan community. In addition to civilians, the migration included approximately 3,500 Portuguese military officers, who sought to resettle in Portugal. In the first two weeks following the annexation of Goa, around 1,000 people moved to Portugal by air or by boat.
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