Portugal Immigration Statistics

Comprehensive migration data & demographics, updated with 2024 AIMA / INE / OECD reports.

Foreign Residents
1,543,697
Registered foreign nationals (Dec 31, 2024)
Share of Population
15%
Approximate share of Portugal’s 10.75M residents
Annual Growth
+18.3%
Year-over-year increase vs revised 2023 total
New Long-Term Immigrants
138,000
Estimated new arrivals in 2024 (OECD long-duration)

Migration Overview

Recent numbers show how immigration is now the main driver of Portugal’s demographic growth.

Total foreign residents
1,543,697
Record high at end of 2024.
+18.3% vs 2023 (revised)
Foreign-born population
15%
Including naturalised citizens; around 1 in 7 residents.
≈1.6 million people
New residence permits (AIMA)
218,332
Residence permits granted in 2024.
Backlog clearance & CPLP registrations
Net migration rate
+1.34%
Positive migratory growth offsetting -0.32% natural decline.
Population grows only because of immigration

Population Demographics

Understanding the composition of foreign residents by region, nationality, and gender.

Resident Categories (By World Region, 2024)
36.0%
From the Americas
23.2%
From Europe
20.4%
From Africa
20.2%
From Asia

Top Foreign Nationalities (2024)

BR
Brazil
484,596
AO
Angola
92,348
CV
Cape Verde
65,507
Male residents
56.1%
865,881 foreign men
Driven by labor migration from South Asia
Female residents
43.9%
677,816 foreign women
Stronger presence in Brazil / Angola communities

Residence Permits & Visas

Pathways used to obtain Portuguese residency in 2024 (AIMA residence permit data).

2024 Residence Permits Granted
218,332
High processing volume despite normalization after the 2023 backlog peak.
Professional activity
69,566
31.9% of all new permits

The single largest pathway, reflecting strong demand for labor.

CPLP agreement
53,235
24.4% of all new permits

Streamlined residency route for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries.

Family reunification
21,802
10.0% of permits

Still a core pillar of Portugal’s migration model.

Students
19,252
≈8.8% of permits

International students, especially in major university cities.

Independent activity (D2 / D8)
5,259
Entrepreneurs & digital nomads

De-facto high-volume route for founders and remote workers.

International protection
1,244
Refugee / humanitarian status

Status granted out of 2,677 new protection applications.

Integration & Naturalisation

How immigration is reshaping Portugal’s society, labor market, and future demographics.

New Portuguese citizens
41,393
Foreigners who acquired Portuguese nationality in 2023.
Births to foreign mothers
29.2%
Share of all live births in 2023 — nearly 1 in 3.
Immigrant employment rate
76%
High participation rate, but hides wage and skills mismatch.
Social security contributions
€3.654B
Paid by foreign workers in 2024, helping finance ~17% of pensions.
Non-EU unemployment
12.3%
Vs 5.1% for nationals, revealing a two-tier labor market.
Overqualification
41%
Recent tertiary-educated immigrants working below their skills level.

Policy Developments

Recent changes shaping Portugal’s migration and residency landscape.

January 2024
Digital family reunification rollout

Family reunification applications for third-country dependants can be submitted fully online via AIMA’s portal, cutting in-person bureaucracy and speeding up processing.


October 2025
AIMA report & backlog clearance

AIMA’s first full migration report confirms that hundreds of thousands of pending SEF files were regularised, inflating the 2023–24 foreign resident totals but giving a more realistic picture.


June 2024
New Action Plan for Migration

The government ends the open “expression of interest” route and moves toward a more regulated, job-linked system, signalling a pivot from liberalisation to tighter controls.




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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about moving to Portugal

Portugal offers several visa options for non-EU citizens:
  • D7 Visa: For retirees or individuals with passive income
  • D2 Visa: For entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals
  • D8 Visa: For digital nomads and remote workers (introduced October 2022)
Note: The Golden Visa program was terminated in October 2023
Portugal has a lower cost of living compared to other Western European countries:
  • Housing: €750/month for a two-bedroom apartment in Lisbon
  • Dining Out: Around €30 per person for fine dining
  • Transportation: Public transport costs approximately €1 per journey
Costs may vary significantly by region and area
Yes, Portugal offers both public and private healthcare options:
  • Access to public healthcare system (SNS) for residents
  • Private health insurance available for reduced wait times
  • Many expats opt for a combination of both systems
The tax situation for expats is changing:
  • Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime ends in 2024
  • Standard tax rates will apply to most new residents
  • Consultation with a tax professional is recommended
Tax laws are subject to change
Several ways to integrate:
  • Enroll in Portuguese language courses
  • Join local expat communities and events
  • Participate in community activities
  • Engage in local cultural events and festivals
Processing times can vary depending on the visa category, the applicant’s documentation, and current AIMA workload. Typical timelines are:
  • D7 / D8 Visas: Around 3 to 6 months from consulate submission to residency approval
  • Family Reunification: Usually 4 to 9 months, depending on caseload and document verification
  • Golden Visa: 12 to 18 months on average, with delays linked to ongoing policy updates and high application volume
AIMA is rolling out new digital systems and online portals, which should gradually reduce processing times.
No, speaking Portuguese is not required to apply for residency. However, language proficiency becomes essential when applying for Portuguese citizenship, which requires passing a basic Portuguese test (A2 level).
Learning the language is also crucial for integration and daily life, especially outside Lisbon and Porto.
Yes. Family reunification is a key pillar of Portugal’s immigration policy. You can apply to bring:
  • Your spouse or partner
  • Minor or dependent children
  • Dependent parents (conditions apply)
Applications for family reunification can now be filed digitally via the AIMA portal.
Yes. Most residence permits, including D2, D7, D8 and family reunion visas, allow you to work in Portugal legally. Highly qualified professionals may also be eligible for the EU Blue Card for mobility across Europe.
Golden Visa holders can work, but passive investment is still the primary route for that visa.
Yes. While immigrants contribute significantly to the economy, they face notable wage and skills gaps:
  • Immigrants earn, on average, 28% less than Portuguese workers of the same age and sex.
  • 41% of recent, degree-holding immigrants are overqualified for their current jobs.
  • Non-EU citizens face an unemployment rate of 12.3%, compared to 5.1% among natives.
This is known as the “Portuguese Labor Paradox”—essential labor, undervalued skills.

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