Brazilians invade Portugal and form the largest immigrant community in the country; discover the main attractions

Portugal has been one of the most sought after destinations by Brazilians who want to leave the country. According to data from the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), released by the Portuguese agency Lusa, the number of applications per residence has been growing for six years, and the country already has about 210,000 Brazilians (2021 data). The result represents an increase of 13.6% compared to 2020. This is the highest number ever recorded since counting began. THE Brazil is in the isolated leadership as the largest immigrant community in Portuguese territory, representing 29.2% of all foreigners in a regular situation in the country. Better living conditions, financial stability, easy access and the Portuguese need to improve the birth rate have been the main reasons that make Brazilians want to move there.

Living in Portugal for four years, actress Gabriela Oliveira chose the country for its ease of documentation. “Here it is easy to become legal. It has a vast list of visas to legally immigrate”, explains she, who went there with her husband. He currently works as a ruler at a hotel, but he started out washing dishes. Another reason that becomes attractive is the chance to obtain Portuguese nationality after five years living in the country. Those who manage to pass, enjoy several advantages such as: being able to live in any country in the European Uniondo not need a visa to travel to the U.S, Canada and Japanhave better study opportunities and pay less tax.

This is Gabriela’s plan, who, despite loving the Brazilian people, does not want to go back. “Next year I start to apply for my Portuguese citizenship. As soon as I leave, I must go to another country in Europe.” During her time in Portugal, she and her husband had a daughter. This makes the advantages of both increase. “The Portuguese nationality law has made it much easier for immigrants who have children in Portugal to obtain nationality, precisely because they need to increase the birth rate and attract more immigrants,” explains the actress. According to the National Institute of Health, the number of babies born in Portugal recorded a historic low in 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, and did not reach the 80,000 mark for the first time since the data began to be counted.

Unlike Gabriela, Breno Martins, who has been in the country for a year, has no plans to stay there. “I intend to return to Brazil, but only when I can save money”, says the young man. He says that, contrary to what most Brazilians think, it is not as easy as you think to have financial stability. Martins says that he chose the Portuguese country because he had already visited the place and thought that the experience of tourist and resident would be the same. “The immigrant is almost never welcomed by the Portuguese. It is a very prejudiced people.”

Martins went to Portugal alone, but he remembered some acquaintances from the first time he went there. Working as a caretaker for a child — but without a signed contract, everything “worded up” —, he reports that with the salary he receives it is possible to maintain himself in Portugal. A significant amount, he says, that makes “you don’t have a hard time eating.” However, the scenario is different when it comes to raising money. Gabriela also highlights this difficulty. Although she moved there after being hired by a company, today she works on her own, making content on social media and helping other people who want to go to Portugal. “The cost of living is affordable. Even though the minimum wage is not the best, here we don’t fight for the essentials. And that brings peace,” she says. There, according to her, you have access to food, clothing and leisure, but in some regions rents are more expensive. But those who do a detailed planning and seek information can find a good place, highlights the actress. “The quality of life is excellent.”

Babysitting, waitressing and construction work are the most common services for those looking to find a job quickly. Gabriela says that even those who are illegal can get something. “Portugal needs labor, so generally, depending on the region and the time of year, there is always a job”, she says. “I always advise and warn about the importance of immigrating with the ideal, correct visa and, thus, alleviating the perrengues of immigration”, she adds. However, unless you are already employed to the country in your training profession, it is not so easy to get a job in the field. Breno Martins worked as a mining technician. He says that the specialization carried out in Brazil is not valid in Portugal. “Many people come here with a degree in physical education, engineering, nursing, but no one can practice. You have to do an equivalence and study for at least one year to validate the course”, he explains.

Increase in xenophobia

Despite all the benefits, not everything is rosy. Xenophobia is something very present in Portugal, and Brazilians feel it in their skin. Last week, the University of Porto said it would fire a professor who called women in Brazil a commodity. Acts like these are common and increasingly constant. Gabriela says that she constantly receives disrespectful comments on her posts. “Aggressions are usually like: ‘nobody wants you here’, ‘go back to your land’, ‘Brazilians are thieves and women are whores’.” On the other hand, she makes a point of emphasizing that not everyone has this position. “There are some Portuguese who think they are superior and think that we are here to degrade the country by stealing something that is theirs”, she says. “And some Portuguese women think Brazilian women are going to steal their husbands.”

The actress is not silent in the face of offenses, but also does not act with brutality. “I counter. I show our importance, I talk about our rights and duties, I show that we contribute to the country and that, in fact, this is why Portugal opens its doors”, she explains. Breno chose silence. Despite being saddened by the things she hears, she prefers to keep to his. it’s not as effective. Often triggered, Portuguese justice is often ineffective. Gabriela has already filed complaints with the Judiciary Police, but has not had a response. “Even to file a complaint with the police, you hear phrases like, ‘This is going to go nowhere’.”