The Brazilian community in Portugal is going through a period of apprehension in the face of recent changes in the country’s immigration policy. Reforms to immigration and nationality laws, coupled with the weight of the issue in the electoral debate, have caused fear and insecurity among thousands of foreign residents on the eve of the presidential election this Sunday (18).
The situation was detailed in a report by RFI , produced by special correspondent in Lisbon, Lígia Anjos, based on an interview given by Ana Paula Costa, political scientist and president of Casa do Brasil in Lisbon. According to her, Portugal is undergoing a profound transformation in the way it deals with immigration, both in the legal field and in public discourse. “We are living through a period of great transformations in migration policy in Portugal, with a clear paradigm shift, both in legislation and in public discourse,” she stated.
Paradigm shift in migration policy
According to Ana Paula Costa, the year 2025 marked a turning point in this process. “There was a major reform of the immigration law, with profound changes to family reunification, the work-seeking visa, and the residence permit,” she explained. For the researcher, the new rules represent a hardening of immigration policy, with stricter requirements and an approach “to the limit of what the European directive allows,” breaking with a Portuguese tradition that she defines as “humanist and inclusive.”
In addition to the more visible changes, the political scientist draws attention to less debated alterations, such as those foreseen in the so-called law of return. “They went almost unnoticed, but they are under public consultation and will have an impact on how the return is carried out,” she warned, pointing to a reinforcement of the logic of control and distrust towards migrants.
Nationality law and discourse of distrust
Another central axis of the debate involves the nationality law. Although some proposals have been blocked by the Constitutional Court, Ana Paula Costa believes that the principle behind these initiatives signals a worrying shift. “Nationality is beginning to be treated almost as a merit, when in fact it concerns ties, integration, and belonging,” she stated.
She recalls that Portugal had been expanding rights related to birth and naturalization and reinforces that “nationality is not immigration,” even while acknowledging that the issues intersect when discussing naturalization. “Portugal was internationally recognized for family reunification and access to nationality from a citizenship perspective. This is being called into question,” she added.
According to the president of the Casa do Brasil in Lisbon, the problem is not the existence of rules. “There have always been requirements: a clean criminal record, proof of ties to the country, continuous residency. No country grants nationality overnight,” she pointed out. The regression, according to her, lies in the narrative that transforms residents and workers into suspects. “The logic shifts to the idea that these people are almost enemies,” she said.
Impacts of administrative reform
This new scenario occurs in parallel with relevant institutional transformations, such as the extinction of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) and the creation of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). Ana Paula Costa considers the separation between administrative and police functions to be correct, recalling that “migration is not a crime”.
However, she criticizes the way the transition was conducted. According to the political scientist, there was a lack of preparation and investment in human and technological resources. “AIMA has a positive mission, but it needs the means to guarantee speed, integration, and dignified and humane service,” she stated, expressing concern about the transfer of police competencies to forces “without adequate training to deal with vulnerable populations.”
Daily difficulties and social climate
Currently, more than 400,000 Brazilians live in Portugal, forming the largest foreign community in the country. “It’s the most representative immigrant community,” highlighted Ana Paula Costa. At Casa do Brasil, the complaints are the same: difficulties renewing residence permits, pending processes, and a lack of response from the public administration. “People meet the requirements, but the State doesn’t meet the deadlines, and this generates legitimate anxiety and insecurity,” she stated.
The practical consequences directly affect daily life. “Without updated documents, there are problems at work, accessing healthcare, and attending children’s schools,” she listed. Added to this is a social environment that she considers worrying. “Anti-immigration rhetoric has real effects: fear, more racism, more xenophobia. People feel threatened by something they don’t control,” she reported.
According to the researcher, a recurring feeling among Brazilians is sadness. “It’s deeply saddening to work, contribute, create bonds, and then hear that you’re not welcome, that you’re a problem,” she said. For her, this narrative ignores the concrete reality of the majority. “The majority work long hours, pay taxes, contribute to social security. The idea of dependence on subsidies is simply false.”
Political participation and sense of belonging
Although many Brazilians have already acquired Portuguese nationality and represent about 5% of the population, political participation remains limited. “It’s a diverse community, with all political orientations, but profoundly underrepresented,” assessed Ana Paula Costa. Legal uncertainty, daily difficulties, and a feeling of not belonging distance part of this population from civic life.
“Integration is a two-way street,” he concluded. “Migrants have to participate, but the country also has to recognize them as an integral part of its political community. Without that, there is no full citizenship or solid democracy.” The issue of immigration has gained central prominence in the presidential campaign, and Brazilians with Portuguese nationality, residing in Portugal or abroad, are eligible to vote in this Sunday’s election.
Source: brasil247.com