Portugal: immigration

How many residence permits does Portugal issue?

Portugal issued 310,639 first residence permits to people from outside the EU in 2025, up from 121,872 in 2024 and 135,907 in 2023, according to Eurostat.

First permits are those given to a person for the first time, or after a gap of at least six months; renewals are not counted. Eurostat breaks them down by reason: work, family, study and other. A large rise in one year can reflect the clearing of pending applications as well as new arrivals. Portugal's immigration agency, AIMA, publishes national figures, but its site failed a security certificate check on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Eurostat: First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst)

How many people seek asylum in Portugal?

1,755 people applied for asylum in Portugal for the first time in 2025, down from 2,675 in 2024, according to Eurostat.

First-time applicants are counted once, so repeat applications are excluded. The UNHCR Refugee Data Finder lists 70,349 refugees and 8,595 asylum seekers living in Portugal in 2025. The UNHCR count covers everyone recognised or protected as a refugee who lives in the country, whenever they arrived, so it is not comparable with the yearly count of new applications.

Official sources: Eurostat: Asylum applicants by citizenship (migr_asyappctza) · UNHCR Refugee Data Finder

How many immigrants live in Portugal?

In 2024, the share of people born abroad in Portugal was 10.8%, according to the UN Population Division. In 2015 the figure was 8.3%. It is 29th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.7%. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 58th highest.

What is net migration in Portugal?

The UN Population Division puts net migration in Portugal at 16,472 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 69,606; its low point was 2012, at -37,083. Europe & Central Asia median: 158; Portugal is 15th highest of 52. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 37th highest.

How many refugees live in Portugal?

70,349: that is the number of refugees in the country in Portugal for 2025, according to UNHCR. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 62,365, and Portugal placed 25th highest of 50. Worldwide: 58th of 169.

How many people from Portugal are refugees?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 109. The peak was 110 in 2024 and the low 16 in 2017. Europe & Central Asia median: 533; Portugal is 35th highest of 49. World rank, highest first: 148th of 189.

How much are remittances to Portugal?

The World Bank puts personal remittances received in Portugal at 0.8% of GDP in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 1.4% of GDP, and Portugal placed 31st highest of 47. Worldwide: 86th of 127.