The Brazilian Community of Setúbal
Brazilians are Portugal’s largest immigrant community: over 484,000 people (31.4% of all foreign residents as of 2023). Approximately 54,000 Brazilians live in the Setúbal District, making them a prominent part of the region’s social and cultural life.
Waves of migration
First wave (1980s–1990s)
The earliest Brazilian migrants were predominantly middle-class professionals – dentists, entrepreneurs and skilled workers. Their numbers remained relatively small, but they laid the foundations for a lasting community.
Second wave (2000s)
Mass labour migration from Brazil, driven by economic difficulties at home. Migrants of this period were employed mainly in construction, the restaurant sector and services. It was during this decade that Brazilians became Portugal’s largest foreign community.
Third wave (2010s–2020s)
A new wave of migration including digital nomads, entrepreneurs and students. Many choose the Setúbal District for its more affordable housing compared to Lisbon, while retaining easy transport links to the capital.
Demographics
Numbers by municipality
Brazilians form a significant share of the foreign population in every municipality on the Setúbal Peninsula. Almada hosts over 3,000 Brazilians – the largest concentration in the district. Between 2021 and 2022, the greatest increases in migrant residents were recorded in Almada (+2,628), Seixal (+2,162) and Setúbal (+1,466).
At the national level, 41,724 Brazilians acquired Portuguese citizenship in 2023 – the highest figure among all foreign communities.
Economic contribution
Entrepreneurship
According to the High Commission for Migration (ACM), 65% of new businesses in Portugal in 2020 were created by Brazilian citizens. Notably, 75% of Brazilian entrepreneurs in Portugal are women.
Sectors of activity
| Sector | Share of Brazilian entrepreneurs |
|---|---|
| Hospitality and catering | 21.3% |
| Retail | 14.3% |
| Construction | 13.3% |
| Healthcare and social work | 8.8% |
Brazilian restaurants, cafés and shops have become a familiar part of the commercial landscape in the Setúbal District. Brazilian cuisine – coxinha, pão de queijo, açaí – is widely available across the region.
Cultural influence
Television and language
Brazilian telenovelas have had a profound influence on Portuguese society. The first wave began with Gabriela (1977), which attracted millions of viewers and emptied the streets. Since then, Brazilian soap operas have become part of everyday culture, influencing fashion, baby names and even spoken language. Brazilian Portuguese has enriched the vocabulary of European Portuguese with dozens of expressions.
Music and dance
Brazilian music – from samba and forró to MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) – has become part of the cultural landscape of the metropolitan area. Schools teaching forró and samba operate in Lisbon and its surroundings, and weekly dance evenings are held regularly. Capoeira is practised as both a sport and an art form.
Religion
Brazilian evangelical churches, notably the Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus (IURD), have been present in Portugal since 1989. Temples operate in Setúbal and neighbouring cities (Barreiro, Alcochete). Across Portugal, the church maintains 124 temples.
Integration
The language advantage
A shared language greatly facilitates the integration of Brazilians compared to other immigrant groups. Nevertheless, differences between Brazilian and European Portuguese create certain challenges in administrative and professional settings.
Community and support
The municipal SEI service (Setúbal, Etnias e Imigração) provides assistance to all immigrants, including Brazilian nationals. CLAIM centres support regularisation and integration. In Seixal, a 2007 “Territorial Pact for Intercultural Dialogue” project received national recognition.
Challenges
- Prejudice: despite linguistic closeness, Brazilians face stereotypes and bias
- Employment: concentration in low-paid sectors, especially among second-wave migrants
- Qualification recognition: difficulties in having Brazilian diplomas recognised
- Housing: rising rents in the metropolitan area make settling in challenging
See also
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