Sharp Rise in Brazilian Nationals Refused Entry to Portugal in 2024 Despite Continued Migration Interest

The number of Brazilian nationals denied entry into Portugal this year has surged dramatically, with authorities recording 1,400 refusals so far in 2024. This represents a stark increase compared to the 179 cases reported in 2023—marking a staggering 721 percent rise, according to data from Portugal’s 2024 Annual Homeland Security Report.

The primary reasons cited for these entry refusals include a failure to justify the purpose of their visit and instances involving incorrect or expired visas. The figures stand out even more starkly when compared with broader entry denial statistics from 2023, when a total of 373 individuals were denied access to Portugal. Of those, 47 percent were Brazilians. However, in the same year, reports from O Globo indicate that roughly 1,700 individuals were ultimately barred from entering, with Brazilians accounting for a dominant 85 percent of that group.

Despite the spike in entry denials, Brazilian citizens remain largely unaffected by the stricter immigration policies introduced in Portugal last year. Portugal’s legislative changes tightened immigration for many, yet explicitly exempted nationals from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), including Brazil. As a result, Brazilian citizens still have the option to arrive in Portugal as tourists and later apply for residency.

Ana Paula Costa, President of Casa do Brasil in Lisbon, emphasized the importance of this arrangement. “We hope that people will be able to apply for a residence permit, which is a right under the CPLP mobility agreement, and that expired documents will be replaced quickly,” she said. “It is important to emphasise that, with the new law, Portugal is complying with the agreement.”

Portugal continues to be a top destination for Brazilian nationals. According to the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), Brazil remains the leading nationality among foreign residents in the country, with over 150,000 Brazilian citizens living in Portugal.

AIMA also reported a dramatic rise in residence permits granted to Brazilians last year. In 2023, Portuguese authorities issued 147,262 residence permits to Brazilian nationals—an enormous jump from the 43,313 permits issued in 2022.

That trend appears to be continuing in 2024, particularly through the lens of job-seeking visas. Publico highlighted that Portuguese consulates in Brazil have seen a notable increase in demand for such visas. Marcelo Rubin, Managing Partner of Clube do Passaporte, reported a spike of more than 200 percent in requests for job-seeking visas to Portugal this year compared to last.

“Interest in Portugal is immense,” Rubin noted. “The country has become a routine topic of conversation.”

Despite the increase in denied entries, the data underscores that Portugal remains one of the most sought-after destinations for Brazilians—whether for tourism, employment, or permanent relocation.

By fLEXI tEAM