The statistics in the chart above are based on Eurostat's Non-national population by group of citizenship, 1 January 2021, with 503 477 third-country nationals (TCNs) and 158 588 EU citizens living in Portugal at the time.

For comparison, the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service’s 2020 RIFA Report notes that on 31 December 2020, 457 269 TCNs were legally residing in Portugal.

The same report states that in 2020, the upward trend within new residence permits issued came to a halt, with a decrease of 8.5% compared to the previous year. The most relevant reasons for granting new residence permits were family reunification (35.74%, although the figure includes family members of EU citizens), professional activities (29.72%) and study (12.29%).

According to the same RIFA 2020 Report, Brazil is by far the the most common country of origin, with migrants from that country counting 183 993 individuals. The other two most represented nationalities are British and Cape Verdean, counting 46 236 and 36 609 migrants respectively.

In addition to the foreign population, hundreds of thousands of Portuguese citizens have a third-country background (as detailed in a thematic report on access to nationality by the Observatory for Migration).

Since the beginning of this decade, over 450 000 persons have acquired Portuguese citizenship. In 2019, 30 328 persons were granted citizenship and another 37 381 obtained it based on being born on the territory of the country, as noted in the Annual Statistical Report 2020 published by the Observatory for Migration.

To foster the inclusion migrants, Portugal published its first Plan for Immigrant Integration in 2007. The document, covered 3 years and was organised around 7 key principles and 5 transversal axes: legislation, service provision, research, public opinion and empowerment of communities. The plan was updated in 2010 to remain applicable until 2013. It increased the prominence of good relations between migrant communities and the majority population.

Since 2015, integration priorities are included in the general Strategic Plan for Migration which covers a 5-year period. It puts emphasis on strengthening the quality of services provided to foreigners, foresees to respond to integration challenges in a transversal manner and to implement 106 measures, to be assessed through 201 indicators.

The Strategic Plan for Migration promotes voluntary introductory courses, generally implemented by governmental bodies all over the country. At the national level, there are the linguistic support programmes Portuguese for All and Portuguese as Foreign Language, as well as projects targeting young people, such as the Choices Programme, targeting adults, such as the Promoting Immigrant Entrepreneurship project, as well as the projects for mentoring migrants and intercultural mediation. All these focus on language course and civic education but do not provide vocational trainings.

There are also several activities organised on the local or regional levels. These are set on the basis of the national integration plans or result from independent initiatives implemented by public or private social actors. They address a wide range of issues, from social interaction and intercultural dialogue to health awareness and labour orientation.

Attendance of all these courses is free of charge and voluntary.

At the same time, passing a language test at the A2 level - or presenting a certificate of basic Portuguese language proficiency issued by one of the accredited institutions - is required for those applying for citizenship or permanent residence.

The official assessment of the 2007-2009 Plan for Integration shows the implementation rate of planned actions reached 81%, with a 16-percent non-compliance level, while the assessment report for the 2010-2013 plan revealed a 79-percent implementation rate. Out of the 408 goals, 290 were fully reached, 64 were partially reached and 54 - not reached at all.

Now, a technical group monitors its implementations for the 2015-2020 Strategic Plan for Migration. A political coordination group including various state actors also meets once a year - and more often if necessary - to assess compliance and promote appropriate changes. A report for 2017-2018, published in 2019, found out that the overall execution rate of the plan stood at 91% in 2017 and at 90% in 2018.

In addition, the Observatory for Migration publishes data on indicators of immigrant integration, going beyond the EC-recommended 4 integration dimensions and 16 Zaragoza indicators. It looks, instead, at 15 dimensions and more than 200 indicators, analysing data from 28 statistical and administrative national sources, compiling data from 14 international statistical sources. Thus the annual report on indicators of immigrant integration is considered to be the most important publication of official data on immigration in Portugal.

Finally, the international Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) points out that Portugal leads in terms of integration policies among other ‘newer’ destinations, and is far ahead of countries like Italy and Spain. Portugal’s comprehensive approach to integration thus brings the country into the top ten of MIPEX countries. The country scores 81 out of 100 points in MIPEX 2020, with the average score being 49.

Law on foreigners

The Portuguese Aliens Act of 2007 regulates the legal framework of entry, stay and exit of foreigners. The latest of 7 amendments to the act, Law 28/2019, established the presumption of legal entry when granting a residence permit for the exercise of professional activity in Portugal. A previous amendment - Law 102/2017 - dates from 2017. It transposes EU directives on the conditions of entry and residence of TCNs for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au pair work. It also introduced new conditions for the granting residence permits for investors, and created exceptions for the granting of residence permits to immigrant IT entrepreneurs.

Asylum law

The Asylum Law of March 1998 establishes the legal framework for asylum. Amendments of 2014 are the republication of changes approved in 2008. They include new conditions and procedures for the granting of asylum and subsidiary protection, and clarifications on the status of asylum seeker, refugee and beneficiary of subsidiary protection. They also transpose several EU Directives.

Integration law

All 3 strategic documents for integration set up by the Portuguese government are approved by resolutions of the council of ministers:

• 12-B/2015
• 74/2010
• 63-A/2007

Citizenship law

Portugal has the EU’s second-highest naturalisation rate at 5.2%, with only Sweden ahead at 6.7%. Portugal's first nationality law dates back to 1981 (Law No. 37/81). Major and highly-praised changes were made in 2006 for strengthening the jus solis principle (nationality obtained by territory of birth) and reducing the period of legal residence to apply for citizenship. In 2015, Organic Law 8/2015 established new grounds for naturalisation, while Organic Law 9/2015 allowed Portuguese citizenship to the grandchildren of Portuguese citizens born abroad. Organic Law No. 2/2018 extended the access to citizneship and naturalisation to those born in Portuguese territory.

Organic Law No. 2/2020, the 9th amendment to Law No. 37/81, rephrased several articles of the law in order to facilitate the attribution of Portuguese citizenship, both original and acquired, in certain circumstances.  

Anti-discrimination law

The Portuguese Criminal Code of 1982 addresses anti-discrimination. It was recently complemented by Law no. 94/2017 which establishes the legal framework for the prevention, prohibition and combating of discrimination on the basis of race and ethnic origin, skin colour, citizenship, ancestry and territory of origin.

On a national level, the High Commission for Migration is the primary institution responsible for the integration of migrants, refugees (as established by Ordinance No. 203/2016, of July 25), as well as for ethnic minorities, including the Roma communities (as established by the Decree-Law 31/2014). The commission is in charge of determining, executing and assessing transversal and sectorial policies, and functions under the direct supervision of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. The latter designs all integration strategies, in turn implemented by the 13 ministries, various national and local administrations, as well as civil society organisations.

The High Commission for Migration represents Portugal at the European Integration Network and supervises:

• National Migrant Support Centres (CNAIM), created in 2004
• Local Migrant Support Centres (CLAIM), created in 2003
• Specialised Support Offices for Immigrants (GAEI), launched in 2004
• Office for Entrepreneurship Support for Migrants in Portugal (GAEM)
• (Observatory for Migration) OM -
• Commission for Equality and Against Racial Discrimination (CICDR)

Local authorities also play a key role in promoting and implementing integration policies. They set up facilities, implement reception measures, finance micro projects and provide services such as education, housing, social support, legal assistance, job orientation, training, intercultural mediation, language courses, and more. They also launch information or awareness-raising campaigns and take action to combat discrimination and segregation. Local authorities had to create their own Municipal Plans for the Integration of Migrants by 2020.

The Council for Migration established in September 2014 (previously functioning as the Consultative Council for Immigration Affairs of 1999) is the consultative body for migration issues, including integration. It participates in the decision-making process of the ministerial council, ensuring cooperation with public and private entities in the definition and implementation of migration policies. In addition to state and municipal, the members include representatives of migrant communities and non-profit organisations dealing with migrant issues, as well as 2 citizens.

In addition, the 2015-2020 Strategic Plan for Migration was submitted to public consultation during which the civil society could voice its comments and proposals.

Non-profit organisations and local authorities can apply for financing through several EU funds. In addition, national public and private funds are made available for service providers and other stakeholders to carry out projects aiming for a better integration of the migrant population.

The information below will be updated once the 2021-2027 national programmes under the EU funds become available.

EU funds

Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in Portugal

• Details: The allocation for Portugal under AMIF is €75,860,651 over the 2014-2020 period. National integration priorities for the fund mainly aim at preventing the social exclusion of TCNs, facilitating and streamlining the interaction between TCNs, society and public administration, fostering the exercise of citizenship and civic participation, and deepening the empowerment of the descendants of TCN communities. Learn more about the Portuguese AMIF programme.
• National managing authority: AMIF is coordinated jointly by the General Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ delegated authority for AMIF, the High Commission for Migration, and the Immigration and Borders Service.

European Social Fund (ESF) in Portugal

• Details: The ESF contributes over €7.3 billion to Portugal during the 2014-2020 period. Of this amount, nearly €1.8 billion is devoted to operational programme Social Inclusion and Employment, which promotes social inclusion and combats poverty and discrimination.
• National managing authority: The national managing authority for ESF in Portugal is the Agency for Development and Cohesion, I.P.

Other EU funds for integration available in Portugal

ERASMUS+, the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe

National managing authority: Erasmus+ Education and Training National Agency

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the EU by correcting regional imbalances

National managing authority: Agency for Development and Cohesion, I.P.

Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), offering material assistance to the most vulnerable or in need

National managing authority: Programa Operacional de Apoio às Pessoas Mais Carenciadas em Portugal (POAPMC)

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), supporting the development of rural economies and communities

National managing authorities: PDR 2020 Managing Authority (mainland), PRODERAM 2020 Managing Authority (Madeira), PRORURAL+ Managing Authority (Azores)

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)

National managing authority: Agency for Development and Cohesion, I.P.; EMFF supports coastal communities in diversifying their economies and finances projects that create jobs and improve quality of life along European coasts

Other funds

Other public funding in Portugal

• High Commission for Migration
• FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
• Portuguese Refugee Council
• Santa Casa da Misericórdia
• Universities and Research Units
• Municipalities

Private funding in Portugal

• Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
• Fundação Aga Khan
• Luso-American Development Foundation
• Jesuit Refugee Service
• Catholic Work for Migration in Portugal

Providing integration services

Civil Society Associations

Implementing the integration programme

• Civil Society Associations
• Commission for Equality and Anti-Racial Discrimination

Campaigning

Civil society organisations

Publishing statistics

• Observatory for Migration (Indicators of Immigrant Integration)
• Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras
• Statistics Portugal
• Contemporary Portugal Database
• General Directorate of Education and Science statistics
• Department for Strategy and Planning at the Ministry for Labour, Solidarity and Social Security
• Department for Planning, Strategy, Evaluation and International Relations at the finance ministry
• Portal da Estatística da Saúde-Ministério da Saúde