According to the same report, there is a drop of almost 50% in family reunifications, despite a 9% increase in entries into the country to work.

According to the report, released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which brings together 38 countries, in 2024, Portugal received 138,000 new long-term or permanent immigrants (including changes of status and free movement), which represents a decrease of 1.9% compared to 2023.

"This number includes 28% of immigrants who benefit from free movement, 44% of labour migrants and 14% of family members (including accompanying family members)," says the report, which analyses the evolution of migratory flows.

Regarding long-term immigration, and comparing 2023 and 2024, the OECD says that in Portugal, there was a 9% increase in the number of immigrants who entered the country to work, while there was a 46% decrease in cases of family reunification.

On the other hand, the OECD says that around 9,000 permits were issued to international higher education students in 2024.

"In addition, in 2023, 73,000 intra-community postings were registered, a 29% increase compared to 2022," it says, adding that "these posted workers generally have short-term contracts."

Data by nationality

Brazil, Angola, and Cape Verde were the three main nationalities of newcomers in 2023, and among the top 15 countries of origin, Brazil registered the largest increase in flows to Portugal compared to the previous year.

The OECD points out that, in 2024, the number of asylum seekers increased by 2.9%, reaching approximately 2,700, with the majority of these people coming from Senegal (400), Gambia (300), and Colombia (300).

“The largest increase since 2023 concerned nationals of Senegal (200), and the largest decrease concerned nationals of Afghanistan (-100). Of the 1,010 decisions taken in 2024, 1% were positive,” says the organisation.

Increase in emigration

On the other hand, the emigration of Portuguese citizens to OECD countries increased by 4% in 2023, to 61,000, with approximately 21% of this group emigrating to Switzerland, 19% to Spain, and 12% to France.

In its report on Portugal, the OECD refers to recent legislative changes in the country, notably the approval of the Migration Action Plan in June 2024, in which one of the "main measures is the repeal of the expression of interest mechanism, through which nationals of third countries, irregularly residing in Portugal, could apply for a residence permit to work or carry out an independent activity".