Portugal Sees a Sharp Rise in Entry Bans for Brazilians in 2024
Portugal barred entry to 1,400 Brazilian nationals in 2024—a staggering jump from just 179 the previous year, marking a 721% increase, according to the country’s latest Homeland Security Report. The most common reasons cited include the absence of a valid reason to stay, or holding an incorrect or expired visa.
This spike in denied entries is part of a broader trend. In total, Portuguese authorities blocked 1,700 individuals from entering the country last year, with Brazilians accounting for a whopping 85% of those cases. That’s a major jump from 2023, when 373 people were turned away—47% of whom were Brazilian.
Despite the increased enforcement, Brazil still maintains a privileged position in Portugal’s immigration landscape. When Portugal implemented stricter immigration laws, Brazilians—and others from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP)—were exempt. This means Brazilians can still enter Portugal as tourists and later apply for residency under the CPLP mobility agreement.
Ana Paula Costa, President of Casa do Brasil in Lisbon, reaffirmed that the rights under the CPLP framework are being upheld. "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.
Meanwhile, Brazil remains the top country of origin for foreign residents in Portugal. Over 150,000 Brazilians now live there, and the number continues to rise. In 2023 alone, Portugal granted 147,262 residence permits to Brazilian nationals—more than triple the 43,313 issued in 2022, according to data from the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).
There’s also been a massive surge in demand for job-seeking visas. Portuguese consulates in Brazil have seen a 200% increase in visa applications in 2024 compared to the previous year. Marcelo Rubin, Managing Partner of Clube do Passaporte, noted, “Interest in Portugal is immense. The country has become a routine topic of conversation.”
All signs suggest that, even with tighter border scrutiny, Portugal continues to be a top destination for Brazilians looking to live, work, and build a future in Europe.
Source: Schengen.News
