Brazilians Comprise One-Third of Portugal’s Foreign Population
Portugal’s foreign population has surged to nearly 1.6 million residents, with Brazilian nationals making up nearly a third of that total, according to the 2025 Migration and Asylum Report released today by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).
Brazilians Lead the Way
Of the 1,585,854 foreign citizens currently living in Portugal, 493,622 are Brazilian. This community represents 31.1% of all foreign residents, an increase of approximately 10,000 people compared to the previous year. When combined with other Portuguese-speaking nations—including Angola, Cape Verde, and Guinea-Bissau—citizens from the Lusophone world now account for nearly half of Portugal’s entire immigrant population.
The report highlights a shift in demographics elsewhere: Angola (99,050 residents) has overtaken India (91,405) to become the second-largest foreign community. Ukraine (84,889) and Cape Verde (71,005) round out the top five. Notably, Italy has broken into the top 10, reflecting a growing trend of European citizens seeking “safe, stable, and attractive” environments for work and investment.
A Young and Driven Workforce
The data paints a picture of a young, economically active population. Roughly 85% of foreigners in Portugal are of working age (18 to 64), a demographic AIMA describes as “central to economic vitality, innovation, and social cohesion.” Conversely, only 6.3% of the foreign population is aged 65 or older.
Men represent the majority of residents at 55.6%, while the nearly 136,000 minors living in the country are seen as key contributors to the “long-term vitality” of the Portuguese school system.
Geographic Hotspots
Integration remains heavily concentrated in urban and coastal hubs. Four districts—Lisbon, Setúbal, Porto, and Faro—host over 70% of the country’s foreign residents. The capital city of Lisbon alone is home to over 200,000 international residents, followed by Sintra and Porto.
Shifting Migration Trends
The report noted a 10% spike in arrivals from North and Central America, led by the United States. In contrast, migration from Asia saw a decline of 4.1%.
On the humanitarian front, requests for international protection fell by nearly 34% over the last year, dropping to 1,765 applications. Colombia, China, and Angola were the primary countries of origin for those seeking asylum. The report also highlighted a sharp 69% decrease in unaccompanied minors seeking asylum, down to just 62 cases in 2025.
Meanwhile, Portugal continues to support those displaced by conflict. The country hosts nearly 85,000 Ukrainians, 65,000 of whom are under temporary protection status. Additionally, 258 refugees were resettled through EU programs, primarily from Syria and Afghanistan.
According to AIMA, these figures confirm that Portugal remains a premier destination for those looking to build new lives within the European Union, driven by both linguistic ties and economic opportunity.
Image: Pexels – Taras Chuiko
