As the fight against racism and ethnic discrimination is a priority of Portugal's National Strategy to Combat Racism and also of the European Plan against Racism, a specific survey is being conducted to collect data with the aim of producing and supporting the clarification of public policies. An analysis of ethnic diversity was originally set to be included in Portugal's 2021 Census, but the possibility was eventually ruled out by Statistics Portugal.

The survey questions focus on self-identification in terms of origin, belonging (with the options of Asian, White, Roma, Black, Mixed Origin or Mixed Belonging), history or family history. Religion practiced, level of education, job, employment contract and type of accommodation are other issues covered, and respondents are also asked to answer questions about their family members (e.g., parents, grandparents and spouses). A further set of questions focuses on discrimination.

The questionnaire can be answered online or via interview - either in person or on the telephone - between 18 October and 14 January, by people who have been living in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area for at least one year (or who intend to live in the region for at least one year). The civil parishes chosen for the sample have a higher incidence of residents with a migratory background, and the survey is aimed specifically at people between 18 and 74 years old, either Portuguese or foreigner.

Statistics Portugal will not publish the results of this pilot survey. After refining its contents and methodology using insights gained from the pilot, a national survey will be created and disseminated.