Portugal is no longer just a favorite destination for retirees in Western European countries. Within a decade, it has transformed into an advanced destination for immigrants seeking stability and permanent residence.
Portugal has become, more than ever before, a Plan B for many migrants, including irregular ones, who are stranded in the Nordic countries due to restrictions on residency requirements. The government amended the immigration law in 2020 by automatically granting citizenship to children born to immigrant parents, regardless of the period of residence in the country. In March 2023, the local newspaper "Visao" estimated the number of Brazilians alone at more than 300,000, which is equivalent to about a third of foreign immigrants.