Over the past seven years, the number of foreign citizens legally residing in Portugal has increased almost fourfold. According to Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA), by the end of 2024, there were about 1,543,697 foreign residents registered in the country, while in 2017, this figure was about 421,802 people.
Foreign citizens now account for approximately 15% of Portugal‘s population, confirming the accelerated growth of migration in this country.
According to AIMA, the majority of foreign residents are citizens of Brazil (approximately 31.4%), India (approximately 7.4%), Angola (approximately 6.9%), and Ukraine (approximately 5.9%). Most migrants are of working age: 77% are between 18 and 44 years old, and 56.1% are men. However, no direct official breakdown by nationality has been found in open sources — these data require additional verification.
Portugal is considered one of the most immigrant-friendly countries in the EU — it has a Golden Visa program that requires an investment of €250,000 and grants the right to a residence permit and then citizenship. There are other categories as well: the D2 business visa, visas for digital nomads, and financially independent individuals.
Meanwhile, the sharp increase in the number of applications is putting a strain on AIMA: the agency reports a shortage of staff, a significant backlog of unprocessed cases, and delays in processing applications. A number of media outlets report that some cases have been pending for over two years.
The growth in the number of foreign residents in Portugal reflects a changing demographic landscape and makes the country attractive to international investors, start-ups, and migrant workers.
Key factors include relatively low investment thresholds, openness to foreign specialists, and a favorable climate. However, this dynamic is accompanied by growing challenges: increased pressure on the housing market, social infrastructure, and a migration management system in need of modernization.
For businesses, this is a signal that Portugal is a promising market for relocation and the creation of international teams, but it is important to take into account bureaucratic delays and changes in migration policy.
The Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) program, launched in 2012, was initially based on real estate investments, but after reforms, it is now more focused on funds, donations, and capital investments.
Key parameters and changes.
1) In 2023, real estate was excluded as the main route for the program, forcing investors to switch to funds, business projects, or donations.
2) The minimum investment in a fund is €500,000.
3) In 2024, a record 4,987 golden visas (main applications + dependents) were issued, which is 72% more than a year earlier.
4) Since the program began, more than 15,619 visas have been issued to investors and about 22,000 visas to family members (as of September 2024).
China remains the largest country of origin for investors, but interest from the US, Brazil, Turkey, and other countries has increased. Changes to the program have prompted investors to diversify their investments, favoring funds and non-interest-bearing methods.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/portugal-golden-visa-program-program-features-from-relocation/
Despite the temporary occupation of part of the agricultural land by the enemy, Ukraine demonstrated good results in the agricultural sector in 2024 and was able to return the historical ways of agricultural exports, and therefore offers the Portuguese Republic to strengthen cooperation, said Vitalii Koval, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, at an online meeting with José Manuel Fernandes, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of Portugal.
“In 2024, 57% of Ukraine’s agricultural exports went to the EU countries. In total, Ukraine exported agricultural products worth $24.6 billion, including $211.6 million to Portugal,” the Ministry of Agrarian Policy’s press service quoted the minister as saying.
In addition, he emphasized that last year Ukraine returned to its historical ways of agricultural exports, as 86% of agricultural products are exported through Odesa and Danube ports. According to him, Ukraine is actively working to open new markets, particularly in Africa and the Middle East.
Koval urged his Portuguese counterpart to work together to combat the illegal sale of Ukrainian grain to Russia.
The Minister also thanked the people of Portugal for their consistent support of Ukraine and the President’s humanitarian initiative Grain From Ukraine.
Portugal has a developed and multi-level taxation system covering both individuals and legal entities. Let’s take a look at the main taxes in the country.
Taxes for legal entities include:
Taxes for individuals:
Other taxes and duties:
Portugal also offers special tax regimes, such as the “Non-Regular Resident” (NHR) status, which provides benefits for new residents, including reduced tax rates on certain types of income. The Portuguese tax system is characterized by progressive and diverse taxes, which requires careful planning when doing business or moving to the country. It is recommended to consult with professional tax advisors to ensure compliance with current legal requirements and to optimize the tax burden.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/analiz-osoblyvostej-systemy-opodatkuvannia-v-portuhalii/
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Portugal on Tuesday, May 28, according to the website of the President of Portugal.
It is noted that Zelensky will visit Portugal at the invitation of its President Marcelo Rebelo de Souza and Prime Minister Luiz Montenegro.
“President Zelenskyy’s working visit is part of a common intention to deepen relations between the two countries, with a particular focus on strengthening security and defense cooperation. It will also provide an opportunity to reaffirm Portugal’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as to maintaining political, military, financial and humanitarian support for Kyiv,” the statement said.
It is reported that the President of Ukraine will hold working meetings with Prime Minister Luiz Montenegro and President Marcelo Rebelo de Souza.
Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva had a conversation with Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal, Georges Monteiro, via video link, the press service of the President of Ukraine reported on Tuesday.
Ihor Zhovkva thanked Jorge Monteiro for Portugal’s continued support of our country’s fight against Russian aggression.
“We appreciate Portugal’s practical participation in the tank, aviation and maritime coalitions. It is important that the volume and pace of military support continue to increase,” Ihor Zhovkva emphasized.
In the course of the conversation, the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office informed Georges Monteiro on the situation at the frontline and urgent military needs of Ukraine.
The interlocutors agreed to start negotiations on the conclusion of a bilateral security agreement in pursuance of the joint declaration of the Group of Seven on the support of Ukraine in the nearest future.
Particular attention was paid to Portugal’s support for the Ukrainian peace formula, as well as Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. George Monteiro noted Ukraine’s progress in implementing reforms necessary for its future membership in the EU and NATO.
As reported earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Portugal Luis Montenegro instructed to start working on the preparation of a security agreement.
