Portugal's Immigration Surge Under António Costa
During the tenure of former Prime Minister and current President of the European Council António Costa, Portugal embraced a reputation as Europe’s beacon of multicultural tolerance. While other European countries faced social challenges—France grappled with suburban unrest, Sweden with gang violence, and Italy with continuous sea arrivals—Portugal projected an image of peaceful openness and liberal ideals.
Record Immigration Levels
Between 2015 and 2024, Portugal received approximately 150,000 immigrants annually, the highest intake ratio in Europe relative to its population size of just over ten million.
A Demographic Shift Without Historical Precedent
“Immigration now is a demographic revolution with no historical parallel, not in the population movements caused by the Arab conquest and the Christian Reconquista in the Middle Ages, and not in the Age of Discoveries.”
This influx marks a momentous transformation in Portugal’s demography, unmatched by previous historical population movements linked to the country's imperial expansion or medieval conquests.
Summary
Portugal's considerable immigrant intake in recent years represents a profound and unprecedented demographic change, reflecting its unique position in contemporary European migration dynamics.