Number of Brazilians barred from entering Portugal due to lack of visa and documents increases by more than 700%

Vetoes increased from 179 to 1,470 in just one year, mainly due to lack of visas or reasons justifying the stay in the country

The number of Brazilians denied entry into Portugal has risen sharply over the past year, according to the 2024 Annual Internal Security Report released on Tuesday, April 1st. The document reveals that the number of entry refusals for Brazilian citizens jumped from 179 cases in 2023 to 1,470 in 2024 — an increase of 721%.

In total, the report notes 1,728 entry refusals in Portugal in 2024, with Brazilians accounting for 85% of these cases. Angola ranked second, with 274 citizens denied entry. For comparison, in 2023, there were 373 total refusals, of which 47% involved Brazilian nationals.

(RASI 2024/Reprodução)

The main reasons for entry denial include the lack of a valid reason to remain in the country, presentation of incorrect or expired visas, and the absence of required travel documentation to enter Portuguese territory.

This situation stems directly from Portugal’s decision to tighten immigration policies in June 2024, when it ended the option for foreigners to regularize their status through the “expression of interest” mechanism, which previously allowed undocumented individuals to apply for legal residence without a prior visa.

Although a measure aimed at easing immigration procedures for citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) has been approved, its implementation date remains uncertain. The proposal would allow Brazilians to enter Portugal as tourists and, once in the country, apply for legal residency.

However, the political crisis triggered by the fall of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro—who lost office following a vote of no confidence in Parliament—has delayed the implementation. With snap elections scheduled for May 18, the regulation has been put on hold.

As things stand, the only legal way to obtain residence in Portugal is by securing the appropriate visa before arrival. However, obtaining these visas through Portuguese consulates in Brazil can take over 100 days, creating obstacles for those planning to move for work or study.

According to attorney Luciane Tomé, a specialist in Portuguese nationality law and a counselor at the Portuguese Sports Association, Brazilian citizens and other CPLP nationals can apply for a job-seeking visa at the Portuguese consulate. This temporary authorization is valid for 120 days and can be renewed for an additional 60 days. If the applicant fails to secure formal employment within that time, they cannot apply for a longer stay and must return to their country of origin.

Fonte: Veja