Over 700% increase in entry denials for Brazilians travelling to Portugal

Lisbon: The number of Brazilians not permitted to enter Portugal in 2024 stood at 1,400, marking a notable increase compared to the previous years.

Among the reasons why they were refused to enter the Southern European country are failing to provide a valid reason for the stay or obtaining an incorrect or expired visa, Schengen.News reports.

In 2023, the figures stood at 179, thus accounting for a 721 per cent increase, based on the recent statistics provided in the 2024 Annual Homeland Security Report of Portugal.

According to a report from O Globo, last year, about 1,700 people were banned from entering Portugal. The majority of them or 85 per cent were Brazilians. In contrast, in 2023, just 373 people were not permitted to enter Portugal, of whom 47 per cent were Brazilians.

Last year, authorities in Portugal tightened immigration rules, however, they spared Brazilian nationals and immigrants from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) from the new changes.

It means that Brazilians can continue entering Portugal as tourists and then apply for a residence permit.

We hope that people will be able to apply for a residence permit, which is a right under the CPLP mobility agreement, and that expired documents will be replaced quickly. It is important to emphasise that, with the new law, Portugal is complying with the agreement.

When it comes to top nationalities residing in Portugal, Brazil ranks first, with more than 150,000 residents.

The statistics provided by Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) revealed that in 2023 a significant increase was also noted in the number of residence permits granted to Brazilians.

Based on AIMA’s figures, in 2023, Portugal issued 147,262 residence permits to Brazilians, in comparison to 43,313 registered in 2022.

In addition, the figures from Publico revealed that in 2024, the number of job-seeking visas granted by Portuguese consulates in Brazil increased significantly.

According to Managing Partner of Clube do Passaporte, Marcelo Rubin the number of requests for job-seeking visas to Portugal increased by over 200 per cent in 2024, compared to the figures registered in 2023.

Interest in Portugal is immense. The country has become a routine topic of conversation.

The figures reveal that Brazilians often choose Portugal as one of their top destinations when planning to travel abroad, regardless of their purpose.