According to SEF, roughly 133,000 new residence permits were issued in the first half of 2022, exceeding the annual totals for 2019, 2020 and 2021.

The number of residence visas granted in 2020 and 2021 fell due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, as a result of the restrictions being lifted, the number of immigrants has been increasing in Portugal.

Of the 133,000 new residence permits, the vast majority were granted to Brazilians and Ukrainian refugees – 48,000 and 46,000 respectively.

More than 800,000 foreigners are currently living in Portugal as permanent residents.

For more information contact ou immigration team at immigration@valadascoriel.com.