LISBON, Portugal — As Portugal debates new, more restrictive immigration laws, the Brazilian ambassador in Lisbon, Raimundo Carreiro Silva, has issued a firm warning: the bureaucratic delays already faced by Brazilian immigrants risk being exacerbated by legal changes, increasing inequality and hindering integration.
In a detailed written interview with Lusa, Ambassador Carreiro voiced concern over the current obstacles many Brazilians face when trying to secure residency or reunite with family in Portugal—even when all documents are properly submitted.
“Many Brazilians face delays and other practical difficulties in obtaining their residence permits and the right to family reunification, for example, even if they have submitted their applications correctly and are up to date with their obligations,” said the ambassador.
These difficulties, he argues, create a bottleneck effect, where even compliant and eligible immigrants are left in limbo—without access to employment, healthcare, housing, or the full rights needed to integrate into Portuguese society.
A System Slowing Integration
For years, Portugal has marketed itself as a welcoming destination for Brazilian nationals, with shared language, culture, and historical ties reinforcing the narrative. Yet in practice, many migrants encounter long wait times, opaque procedures, and inconsistent communication from immigration authorities.
The delays have particularly impacted:
- Residence permit applications, with wait times stretching from months to over a year in some cases.
- Family reunification requests, forcing families to live apart for extended periods.
- Pathways to nationality, where legal residence requirements are set to become even stricter.
“Until they regularise their status, these people face obstacles to their effective integration in Portugal,” Carreiro stressed.
Legal Changes on the Table
The Portuguese Parliament is currently discussing changes to its Foreigners and Nationality Law, including:
- Extending the legal residency requirement for naturalization from five to seven years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries.
- Increasing minimum residence periods for family reunification.
- Making residency application processes more stringent.
While the government insists these changes are part of a broader strategy to “restore order” and “reduce abuse,” critics argue the measures will disproportionately affect Brazilians and other Lusophone immigrants who already face significant systemic barriers.
“Some aspects of the legislation under discussion increase the asymmetries between Brazilian and Portuguese legislation,” Carreiro warned.
Brazil’s More Inclusive Approach
Ambassador Carreiro highlighted key differences between the two countries’ legal frameworks:
- Brazil does not require a visa for Portuguese citizens entering for short stays.
- Once in Brazil, Portuguese citizens can apply for residency directly with the Federal Police within 90 days.
- Family reunification in Brazil does not require a minimum residence period.
- To naturalize as a Brazilian, Portuguese citizens only need one year of legal residence and proof of good moral character.
These differences, the ambassador argued, reflect Brazil’s commitment to reciprocal treatment under the 1988 Constitution and the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Consultation between the two countries.
In contrast, the proposed Portuguese changes risk creating what Carreiro calls “asymmetries” that strain the relationship between both nations and penalize Brazilian nationals unfairly.
The Human Toll of Bureaucracy
The practical result of these delays and legal complexities is a growing population of semi-regular immigrants—individuals who have initiated their legal process but remain stuck in procedural limbo.
Without legal status, they face:
- Inability to sign employment contracts
- Difficulty accessing public healthcare
- Barriers to renting property or opening bank accounts
- Separation from family members
- Increased exposure to labor exploitation or precarious work
Civil society organizations in Lisbon and Porto have warned that the system’s inefficiencies are creating a class of “invisible residents”, who live and work in Portugal but lack recognition and protection.
Rising Concerns About Discrimination
In addition to bureaucratic challenges, the ambassador also touched on xenophobia and discrimination.
“The Brazilian embassy and consulates-general have received information about cases of xenophobia and other types of discrimination against Brazilians,” Carreiro said.
Though he acknowledged that most Brazilians are well-integrated, he emphasized the importance of reporting discriminatory incidents to Portuguese authorities, encouraging legal accountability.
“We have reiterated our willingness to intensify joint actions with Portugal to promote racial equality and the fight against racism, xenophobia, and discrimination in all their forms.”
The ambassador’s statement comes amid a broader European trend where anti-immigrant rhetoric has been on the rise. While Portugal remains one of the more immigrant-friendly EU countries, recent years have seen increased social and political pressure on immigration policy.
Constructive Dialogue Still in Motion
Despite these concerns, Carreiro maintained a tone of diplomacy, stressing the strength of bilateral ties and the ongoing dialogue with Portuguese authorities.
“There has been constructive dialogue with the Portuguese government,” he said, citing a recent videoconference between consular authorities and an upcoming meeting of the Bilateral Subcommittee on Consular Affairs and the Movement of Persons in Lisbon.
Carreiro himself has made direct contacts with Portuguese officials, raising awareness of the Brazilian community’s concerns and emphasizing the need for reciprocal treatment in migration policies.
“For my part, I am personally contacting Portuguese authorities here in Lisbon to raise their awareness of the Brazilian perspective,” he noted.
A Community with Deep Ties
The ambassador was quick to affirm the positive integration of Brazilians in Portugal, attributing it to shared cultural and linguistic foundations, as well as long-standing family and social connections.
“The Brazilian community in Portugal is, in general, well integrated,” he noted. “This situation is helped by the linguistic and cultural proximity and the intense social and family ties between the two countries.”
Indeed, Portugal and Brazil share one of the most unique bilateral relationships in the Lusophone world. From student exchanges and dual citizenship agreements to trade and cultural cooperation, both nations have benefited from strong people-to-people ties.
But Carreiro’s warning is clear: if immigration policies diverge too sharply, those ties risk being weakened, and the mutual benefits jeopardized.
What Needs to Change
The ambassador’s intervention shines a spotlight on several critical areas for reform:
- Streamlining Residency Processes: Ensure applications are processed within a defined timeframe, with digital updates and appeals mechanisms.
- Fair Family Reunification Rules: Reduce or eliminate minimum residency requirements that cause prolonged family separation.
- Transparent Naturalization Criteria: Maintain or reduce legal residency timelines to encourage full integration and citizenship.
- Improved Consular Coordination: Deepen cooperation between Brazil and Portugal to harmonize expectations, rights, and responsibilities for migrants.
- Anti-Discrimination Enforcement: Strengthen legal protections and reporting pathways for victims of xenophobia and racial bias.
Portugal stands at a crossroads. It can continue building a reputation as a country that values shared history, embraces diversity, and invests in integration—or it can follow the path of restriction and bureaucracy that leaves immigrants in legal and emotional limbo.
Ambassador Raimundo Carreiro Silva’s message is both a caution and a call to action. While diplomatic and respectful, his words highlight the urgent need for immigration reform that is fair, efficient, and reciprocal.
The question now is whether Portuguese lawmakers will listen—and act—before those “asymmetries” become long-term barriers in one of the most important bilateral relationships in the Portuguese-speaking world.
