The Brazilian community in Portugal is going through a period of apprehension amid recent changes in the country’s migration policy. Reforms to immigration and nationality laws, combined with the weight of the issue in the electoral debate, have sparked fear and insecurity among thousands of foreign residents on the eve of this Sunday’s (18) presidential election.
The situation was detailed in an RFI report produced by special correspondent in Lisbon, Lígia Anjos, based on an interview with Ana Paula Costa, political scientist and president of the Casa do Brasil in Lisbon. According to her, Portugal is undergoing a profound transformation in how it handles immigration, both legally and in public discourse. “We are living through a period of major transformations in Portugal’s migration policy, with an evident 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 decisive point in this process. “There was a major reform of the foreigners’ law, with profound changes in family reunification, job-seeking visas, and residence permits,” she explained. For the researcher, the new rules represent a toughening of migration policy, with stricter requirements and an approach “to the limit of what the European directive allows,” breaking with a Portuguese tradition that she describes as “humanistic and integrative.”
In addition to the more visible changes, the political scientist draws attention to less debated alterations, such as those in the so-called return law. “They almost went unnoticed, but they are in public consultation and will impact how returns are handled,” she warned, pointing to a reinforcement of control and distrust toward migrant people.
Nationality Law and Discourse of Distrust
Another central axis of the debate involves the nationality law. Although some proposals were blocked by the Constitutional Court, Ana Paula Costa assesses that the principle behind these initiatives signals a worrying change. “Nationality is starting 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 emphasizes: “nationality is not immigration,” even as she acknowledges that the themes intersect in naturalization. “Portugal was internationally recognized for family reunification and access to nationality from a citizenship perspective. This is being called into question,” she added.
For the president of the Casa do Brasil in Lisbon, the problem is not the existence of rules. “There have always been requirements: clean criminal record, proof of ties to the country, continuous residence. No country grants nationality overnight,” she reflected. The setback, according to her, lies in the narrative that turns residents and workers into suspects. “The logic shifts to an idea that these people are almost enemies,” she said.
Impacts of Administrative Reform
This new scenario runs parallel to significant institutional changes, such as the extinction of the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) and the creation of the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (AIMA). Ana Paula Costa views the separation of administrative and police functions as correct, noting that “migrating is not a crime.”
However, she criticizes how the transition was managed. 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 ensure speed, integration, and dignified, humanistic service,” she stated, voicing concern over the transfer of police powers to forces “without adequate training to deal with vulnerable populations.”
Everyday Difficulties and Social Climate
Currently, more than 400,000 Brazilians live in Portugal, forming the country’s largest foreign community. “It is the most representative immigrant community,” highlighted Ana Paula Costa. At the Casa do Brasil, complaints are recurring: difficulties renewing residence permits, pending processes, and no response from public administration. “People meet the requirements, but the State fails to meet deadlines, generating legitimate anxiety and insecurity,” she stated.
The practical consequences directly impact daily life. “Without updated documents, there are problems at work, accessing healthcare, and children’s schooling,” she listed. This is compounded by a social climate she finds alarming. “Anti-immigration discourse has real effects: fear, more racism, more xenophobia. People feel threatened by something beyond their control,” she reported.
According to the researcher, a common sentiment among Brazilians is sadness. “It is deeply saddening to work, contribute, build ties, and then hear that you are not welcome, that you are a problem,” she said. For her, this narrative ignores the majority’s reality. “Most work long hours, pay taxes, contribute to social security. The idea of subsidy dependency is simply false.”
Political Participation and Sense of Belonging
Despite many Brazilians having acquired Portuguese nationality and comprising about 5% of the population, political participation remains limited. “It is a diverse community with all political leanings, but deeply underrepresented,” Ana Paula Costa assessed. Legal insecurity, daily hardships, and a sense of non-belonging keep part of this population from civic life.
“Integration is a two-way street,” she concluded. “Migrants must participate, but the country must also recognize them as integral to its political community. Without that, there is no full citizenship or solid democracy.” Immigration has become a central issue in the presidential campaign, and Brazilians with Portuguese nationality, whether residing in Portugal or abroad, are eligible to vote in this Sunday’s election.
Source: brasil247.com