Portugal is another important destination for Brazilians, owing to a common language and given the fact that a significant number of Brazilians already hold Portuguese citizenship (particularly after Portugal modified its nationality law to be able to bestow it upon any grandchild of a verified Portuguese citizen).
“Many come here for personal reasons: they're looking for safety, good healthcare, schools for their children, or simply to run away from any less-than-ideal situation in Brazil,” says da Costa, who was born in Brazil and moved to Portugal when he was 16.
If you wish to live in Portugal and are not an EU national, this is the first step you must take. It's valid for one year but can be renewed for two subsequent years. After 5 years of holding a temporary residence permit, you can apply for a permanent residency permit.
In 2023, it was estimated that more than four million Brazilians were living outside Brazil. The United States had the largest community, with over two million Brazilian citizens. Portugal was the second country with the largest Brazilian community, namely 513,000 citizens.
While their individual paths into the U.S. differ, the immigrants' reasons for leaving Brazil are similar: personal safety, a better financial situation, and a lack of hope that their home country will one day be able to offer the opportunities they find here.
In 1807 Napoleon I invaded Portugal, a British ally, largely to tighten the European blockade of Great Britain. The Portuguese prince regent Dom João (later King John VI [João VI]) decided to take refuge in Brazil, making it the only colony to serve as the seat of government for its mother country.
The language originated from Latin and was developed two millennia ago. Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese are the two main variants of the language. The former came as a result of Portugal's colonization of Brazil, while the latter is the standard variant spoken in Portugal.
Today, Brazil and Portugal share a privileged relationship, as evidenced in aligned political and diplomatic coordination, as well as economic, social, cultural, legal, technical and scientific cooperation.
Under current legislation, Brazilian citizens do not need a visa for tourism in Portugal for a period of 90 days, extendable up to 180, based on Foreigners and Borders Service of Portugal.
High Costs and Location Choices. Many Americans were drawn to Portugal for its perceived affordability, but housing prices in cities like Lisbon and Porto have skyrocketed. This has made living in these areas unaffordable for many expats.
The threat of losing their limited control over local affairs ignited widespread opposition among Brazilians. José Bonifácio de Andrada, along with other Brazilian leaders, convinced Pedro to declare Brazil's independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822.
There is good education, healthcare, and quality of life. In addition, the government is one of the world's safest and most welcoming countries. While salaries are lower than in other countries, the affordable cost of living in Portugal compared to many Western European countries makes up for this.
The Brazilian Black Movement considers pretos and pardos together as part of a single category: negros (Blacks). In 2010, this perspective gained official recognition when Brazilian Congress passed a law creating the Statute of Racial Equality.
Most people with origins in Brazil are considered Latino but not Hispanic because most Brazilians speak Portuguese. Similarly, Spanish people may be considered Hispanic but not Latino. Because the terms are vague, use the more specific geographic origin (Colombian, Honduran, Argentinian), if possible.
Latinos may be White, Black, Indigenous, Asian, etc. A person who is Latino may or may not be Hispanic. For instance, while people from Brazil are considered Latino (because Brazil is a Latin American country), they are not considered Hispanic because Brazil is a former Portuguese colony, not a Spanish one.
Those who belong to the Brazilian upper class are amongst the wealthiest. Upper class citizens are typically professionals or wealthy business owners. They might be doctors, lawyers, or engineers. They're highly skilled and educated, and their children typically pursue a private education at the most exclusive schools.
Portugal offers a higher quality of life with better personal security, environmental quality, and work-life balance, while Brazil struggles with higher violence and crime rates. So, if you're considering safety and well-being, Portugal might just be the better choice.
Differences Between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese. European and Brazilian Portuguese are mutually intelligible, and those who speak one language can understand the other. While there are many similarities, there are also striking differences in grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Diplomatic Ties: Brazil and Portugal maintain strong diplomatic relations. They are both members of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), which fosters cooperation among Portuguese-speaking nations.
