World · Europe · 6 hrs ago
More Brazilians are returning from Portugal than in the previous two years
More Brazilians are returning from Portugal than the total recorded in 2024 and 2025.
By the end of August 2026, 249 Brazilians had received help from the International Organization for Migration’s voluntary return program to pay for their trip home.
The returnees include people who struggled to find suitable work, afford life in Portugal or secure legal status, as well as people who missed family in Brazil.
Portugal has tightened immigration rules, and more than 23,000 foreign nationals were told to leave voluntarily in 2025, 50 times the 2024 figure.
Brazil’s community in Portugal now numbers more than 570,000 people, and the growing returns matter to those weighing whether to move there.
Experts urge migrants to check conditions carefully and speak with people living in Portugal rather than rely on misleading portrayals of life there.
The number of Brazilians returning from Portugal in 2026 has already exceeded the total recorded in 2024 and 2025.
By the end of August, 249 Brazilians had received help from the International Organization for Migration’s voluntary return programme to pay for their trip home.
Rising living costs, difficulties finding work and tighter rules for migrant regularisation are cited as factors behind the returns.
Portugal’s government notified more than 23,000 foreign nationals to leave voluntarily in 2025, 50 times the 2024 figure.
More than 570,000 Brazilians currently live in Portugal.
- Who
- Brazilians who moved to Portugal and are returning to Brazil.
- What
- Returns in 2026 have already exceeded the total recorded in the previous two years.
- When
- By the end of August 2026.
- Where
- From Portugal to Brazil.
- Why
- Reported factors include rising living costs, difficulties finding work and tighter rules for migrant regularisation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Portugal recorded a lower number of foreign nationals notified to leave voluntarily than in 2025.
More than 23,000 foreign nationals were notified to leave Portugal voluntarily, 50 times the 2024 figure.
249 Brazilians had received help from the voluntary return programme to pay for their trip home.
Jornal Nacional reported on the increase in Brazilians returning from Portugal.
- Brazilian returnees
- 249 received return-travel assistance by the end of August 2026
- Programme registrations
- 677 people registered in Portugal by the end of August 2026
- Foreign nationals notified to leave
- More than 23,000 in 2025
- Increase in notifications
- 50 times the 2024 figure
- Brazilian community in Portugal
- More than 570,000 people