Portugal’s Immigration Boom Sparks Political Upheaval

[Social Media]

 

Portugal, Western Europe’s least affluent nation, is on the brink of yet another government shake-up, fueled largely by rising discontent over immigration. The country has become a magnet for digital nomads and affluent expatriates, leading to surging living costs and growing support for the far-right.  

 

Lauren Clark, a 32-year-old British freelance writer, moved to Lisbon five years ago and credits the relocation for her flourishing career in wellness and lifestyle journalism. “The lifestyle is definitely the main drawing point, for sure. The food is amazing. Obviously, the weather’s gorgeous. It’s very easy to make friends,” she says. She enjoys working from a co-working space where she can meet new people, something that was difficult in London due to high costs.  

 

Portugal has embraced an influx of foreign residents in recent years, hoping to benefit economically from remote workers and high-spending expats. The foreign population has doubled in the past five years, reaching a record one million in 2023. However, this rapid rise in immigration has led to a strong backlash from locals as housing prices and living expenses soar.  

 

Political instability has followed, with the country now facing its third snap election in as many years. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, leading a minority center-right government, lost a vote of confidence amid corruption allegations. Meanwhile, immigration concerns have propelled the far-right Chega party from the political fringes to near the center of power, with its vote share jumping from less than 1% in 2019 to 18% last year.  

 

Although new arrivals have contributed to Portugal’s economic growth, many locals remain frustrated. Unlike manufacturing-heavy economies like Germany, which have stagnated, Portugal has seen a post-pandemic economic boom, partly driven by immigration. “From an economic point of view, the increase in population and attraction of some well-educated workers is certainly positive, particularly in a country like Portugal,” says Ricardo Amaro, an economist at Oxford Economics.  

 

Historically, Portugal has suffered from a brain drain, with young professionals leaving for better opportunities in countries like Germany and the UK. Now, immigration has not only stabilized the population but reversed its decline. “The number of inward migrants has increased quite significantly, and the number of outward migrants has stabilized at lower levels than during the global financial and sovereign debt crisis,” Amaro explains. In 2023, Portugal’s population grew by approximately 123,000, reaching 10.6 million. That year, an estimated 189,367 people immigrated to Portugal, far outpacing the 33,666 who left.  

 

This influx consists of diverse groups, including immigrants from Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil and Angola, wealthy retirees from Europe, and digital nomads. Portugal’s relatively easy citizenship process—allowing residency seekers to apply after five years—has also made it an attractive entry point into the EU.  

 

While the economy has benefited, with GDP rising by 1.9% in 2023—outpacing France, Germany, and the UK—immigration has coincided with rising rents, interest rates, and overall living costs. Between 2021 and 2023, rents in Lisbon alone skyrocketed by 43%, far surpassing increases in many other European capitals. Inflation once peaked at 10% annually, leaving many locals feeling worse off despite wage growth.  

 

Even Clark, who moved before the recent wave of newcomers, has noticed the shift. “The prices have just gone quite crazy, with rents and property costing a lot,” she says. “What has also happened is that you have these brunch places that rather than sell an espresso for 50 cents that locals are used to, offer matcha lattes for €5. It has created a bit of a ghost town in the middle of Lisbon where there are not many locals anymore. Increasingly, it doesn’t feel as authentic.”  

 

The growing economic disparity has fueled discontent, contributing to the rise of the far-right, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. Amaro explains, “It does create a challenge for governments with discontent. Partly, this is also what’s behind the rise of the far-right, especially in a cost-of-living crisis.” Portugal’s shift mirrors political trends in other countries, such as the U.S., where high inflation played a role in Kamala Harris’s defeat by Donald Trump, despite a strong economy under Joe Biden.  

 

In Portugal, analysis suggests that the far-right’s growing support comes primarily from deprived rural areas and young men mobilizing to vote. In cities, even the far-left has criticized digital nomads and mass tourism for driving up rents and gentrifying neighborhoods. With Portugal ranking lowest in GDP per capita among Western European nations and its minimum wage still below the EU average despite recent increases, frustration among locals continues to mount.  

 

Lisbon’s previous government actively encouraged foreign investment and residency through tax incentives and golden visas—policies now at the center of public anger. Foreigners like Clark have started feeling the shift in public sentiment. “I do feel that kind of hostility. It is this really tricky situation. A lot of Portuguese people are struggling. There has been a lot more tension.”  

 

Charlie Baron, who manages three co-working spaces in Lisbon, has also noticed a change. “It has definitely got harder in the past 12 months for new nomads to find their footing—there is a bit more of a clampdown,” he says. “It used to be one of the cheapest places to be a digital nomad in the world, but now places like Thailand are very competitive. Over the last three years, rents have gone up about 50%—for a one-bed, it is now around €1,000, or maybe €500 to share a place.” He believes locals are more concerned about illegal immigration, though tensions over both wealthy and poorer newcomers remain.  

 

As Portugal heads into yet another election, immigration and its impact on the cost of living remain the dominant issues shaping the country’s future.

 

Based on a report by The Telegraph  2025-03-15

 

 

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

 

Portugal, Western Europe’s least affluent nation, is on the brink of yet another government shake-up, fueled largely by rising discontent over immigration. The country has become a magnet for digital nomads and affluent expatriates, leading to surging living costs and growing support for the far-right.  

 

Lauren Clark, a 32-year-old British freelance writer, moved to Lisbon five years ago and credits the relocation for her flourishing career in wellness and lifestyle journalism. “The lifestyle is definitely the main drawing point, for sure. The food is amazing. Obviously, the weather’s gorgeous. It’s very easy to make friends,” she says. She enjoys working from a co-working space where she can meet new people, something that was difficult in London due to high costs.  

 

Portugal has embraced an influx of foreign residents in recent years, hoping to benefit economically from remote workers and high-spending expats. The foreign population has doubled in the past five years, reaching a record one million in 2023. However, this rapid rise in immigration has led to a strong backlash from locals as housing prices and living expenses soar.  

 

Political instability has followed, with the country now facing its third snap election in as many years. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, leading a minority center-right government, lost a vote of confidence amid corruption allegations. Meanwhile, immigration concerns have propelled the far-right Chega party from the political fringes to near the center of power, with its vote share jumping from less than 1% in 2019 to 18% last year.  

 

Although new arrivals have contributed to Portugal’s economic growth, many locals remain frustrated. Unlike manufacturing-heavy economies like Germany, which have stagnated, Portugal has seen a post-pandemic economic boom, partly driven by immigration. “From an economic point of view, the increase in population and attraction of some well-educated workers is certainly positive, particularly in a country like Portugal,” says Ricardo Amaro, an economist at Oxford Economics.  

 

Historically, Portugal has suffered from a brain drain, with young professionals leaving for better opportunities in countries like Germany and the UK. Now, immigration has not only stabilized the population but reversed its decline. “The number of inward migrants has increased quite significantly, and the number of outward migrants has stabilized at lower levels than during the global financial and sovereign debt crisis,” Amaro explains. In 2023, Portugal’s population grew by approximately 123,000, reaching 10.6 million. That year, an estimated 189,367 people immigrated to Portugal, far outpacing the 33,666 who left.  

 

This influx consists of diverse groups, including immigrants from Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil and Angola, wealthy retirees from Europe, and digital nomads. Portugal’s relatively easy citizenship process—allowing residency seekers to apply after five years—has also made it an attractive entry point into the EU.  

 

While the economy has benefited, with GDP rising by 1.9% in 2023—outpacing France, Germany, and the UK—immigration has coincided with rising rents, interest rates, and overall living costs. Between 2021 and 2023, rents in Lisbon alone skyrocketed by 43%, far surpassing increases in many other European capitals. Inflation once peaked at 10% annually, leaving many locals feeling worse off despite wage growth.  

 

Even Clark, who moved before the recent wave of newcomers, has noticed the shift. “The prices have just gone quite crazy, with rents and property costing a lot,” she says. “What has also happened is that you have these brunch places that rather than sell an espresso for 50 cents that locals are used to, offer matcha lattes for €5. It has created a bit of a ghost town in the middle of Lisbon where there are not many locals anymore. Increasingly, it doesn’t feel as authentic.”  

 

The growing economic disparity has fueled discontent, contributing to the rise of the far-right, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. Amaro explains, “It does create a challenge for governments with discontent. Partly, this is also what’s behind the rise of the far-right, especially in a cost-of-living crisis.” Portugal’s shift mirrors political trends in other countries, such as the U.S., where high inflation played a role in Kamala Harris’s defeat by Donald Trump, despite a strong economy under Joe Biden.  

 

In Portugal, analysis suggests that the far-right’s growing support comes primarily from deprived rural areas and young men mobilizing to vote. In cities, even the far-left has criticized digital nomads and mass tourism for driving up rents and gentrifying neighborhoods. With Portugal ranking lowest in GDP per capita among Western European nations and its minimum wage still below the EU average despite recent increases, frustration among locals continues to mount.  

 

Lisbon’s previous government actively encouraged foreign investment and residency through tax incentives and golden visas—policies now at the center of public anger. Foreigners like Clark have started feeling the shift in public sentiment. “I do feel that kind of hostility. It is this really tricky situation. A lot of Portuguese people are struggling. There has been a lot more tension.”  

 

Charlie Baron, who manages three co-working spaces in Lisbon, has also noticed a change. “It has definitely got harder in the past 12 months for new nomads to find their footing—there is a bit more of a clampdown,” he says. “It used to be one of the cheapest places to be a digital nomad in the world, but now places like Thailand are very competitive. Over the last three years, rents have gone up about 50%—for a one-bed, it is now around €1,000, or maybe €500 to share a place.” He believes locals are more concerned about illegal immigration, though tensions over both wealthy and poorer newcomers remain.  

 

As Portugal heads into yet another election, immigration and its impact on the cost of living remain the dominant issues shaping the country’s future.

 

Based on a report by The Telegraph  2025-03-15

 

 

My experience:

9 years ago I rented a nice 80 sqm flat in Lisbon. The price was reasonable 600 Euro. The same flat is on offer now for 1300 Euro.

The reason:

Many European pensioners can afford to rent such a flat. And if they can't, influencer and digital nomads can.

The people in Lisbon however cannot afford these high prices and have to move away from the inner city into suburbs. This means to go to work by public transport every day.

The prices on the daily fresh markets are rising too.

This makes life in Lisbon and other areas expensive.

We see the same problem in Spain.😳

[phetphet]

It was bound to happen. Unchecked immigration into any country is bound to upset the locals eventually. The strain on public services and the inevitable shortage of housing effects the locals the most.

[PETERTHEEATER]

Immigration Boom (Alternative name for suicide bomber)

[Tubulat]

4 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

My experience:

9 years ago I rented a nice 80 sqm flat in Lisbon. The price was reasonable 600 Euro. The same flat is on offer now for 1300 Euro.

The reason:

Many European pensioners can afford to rent such a flat. And if they can't, influencer and digital nomads can.

The people in Lisbon however cannot afford these high prices and have to move away from the inner city into suburbs. This means to go to work by public transport every day.

The prices on the daily fresh markets are rising too.

This makes life in Lisbon and other areas expensive.

We see the same problem in Spain.😳

Believe me, it is in the whole EU the same big problem, this article is from today from a Dutch newspaper, it is going insane, the euro will soon be worth nothing.

[tonbridgebrit]

"The country has become a magnet for digital nomads and affluent expatriates, leading to surging living costs and growing support for the far-right."

Thailand has to understand this, and not repeat the same mistake. Digital nomads and other expatriates do actually harm whatever country they go to. Actually, not just digital nomads, the other nomads might also harm a place.  🙂

[thaibeachlovers]

21 hours ago, phetphet said:

It was bound to happen. Unchecked immigration into any country is bound to upset the locals eventually. The strain on public services and the inevitable shortage of housing effects the locals the most.

Seems every western government is refusing to learn the lessons that are so apparent in places like Germany, and will suffer for it.

 

Some sane policies preventing owners from exploiting a shortage of housing to put up rents would have avoided a lot of the chaos. Asian countries tend to avoid such by allowing too many residential buildings, which keeps rents down.

In countries like NZ, government regulations making it too difficult and expensive to build are the problem, compounded by allowing too many immigrants for the infrastructure to accommodate.

[thaibeachlovers]

4 hours ago, tonbridgebrit said:

"The country has become a magnet for digital nomads and affluent expatriates, leading to surging living costs and growing support for the far-right."

Thailand has to understand this, and not repeat the same mistake. Digital nomads and other expatriates do actually harm whatever country they go to. Actually, not just digital nomads, the other nomads might also harm a place.  🙂

As Thailand is sane and does not allow foreigners to buy land they are avoiding many of the problems of housing. One hopes they don't go mad and allow it in the future.