Latest news and stories about migration trends in Portugal for expats and residents.
Net migration of foreign nationals in Portugal fell by half in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to data from the BdP. The central bank reports that monthly net entries dropped from 13,200 in 2024 to 6,200 in 2025, driven by a combination of fewer arrivals and an increase in departures. The bank warns that this trend may impact employment growth and labor market availability.
The Bank of Portugal estimates that net migration (exits vs. entries) was 13,200 people per month in 2024. In 2025, that figure fell to less than half: 6,200 per month. Learn more via the link in the comments. (Photo: Diogo Faria Reis)
Brits are increasingly relocating to Portugal, with UK resident numbers tripling over the past decade. The Portuguese immigration authority (AIMA) reported 16,559 UK nationals living in Portugal in 2014, reflecting a significant migration trend driven by the appeal of Portugal’s sunny climate and lifestyle. This shift is part of a broader trend of British expatriates moving across Southern Europe, especially to Spain and Portugal, seeking better weather and quality of life.
The number of illegal immigrants returning voluntarily rose fourfold during 2025.
