Language Research

Portugal's population is remarkably homogenous and has been so for all of its recorded history. This lack of ethnic variety helped it become the first unified nation state in Western Europe. For centuries Portugal had virtually no ethnic, tribal, racial, religious or cultural minorities. Almost all Portuguese spoke the national language, almost all were Roman Catholic and almost all identified with the Portuguese culture and the nation of Portugal.

Portugal has a sizeable Roma population (100,000). Despite government efforts to integrate them into the larger society, Roma remained a separate group.

Portugal's foreign community numbers about 90,000. It consists mainly of Africans (40%), Spaniards, British, French and Germans. These communities are not large and generally do not become involved in Portuguese life.

Updated (September 2006)

PORTUGAL FLINGS ITS ARMS OPEN TO IMMIGRANTS FROM FORMER COLONIES

While much of Europe frets over the impact of immigrants from poorer countries, Vila de Rei, backwoods farming town, welcomes the newcomers warmly as its young people leave for better jobs on the more sophisticated seacoast. The town has sent a call for help across the Atlantic - placing advertisements in Brazilian newspapers seeking immigrant workers.

Four Brazilian have already taken the chance of gaining residency documents in a EU nation and moved to this town.

Many of the newcomers, however, left white-collar jobs in Brazil for jobs as waiters or cooks. They all have one-year contract to work in the hotel industry, earning little more than 400 Euros - for many a step down from their wages in the home country. The immigrants, however, say they plan to settle permanently in Portugal and the invitation to Vila de Rei provided a legal way into the workforce.

Immigration officials view the scheme as a lesson for other European Union states struggling to deal with migrant workers. Many economists say Western Europe will need a wave of immigration in years to come to offset the effects of an aging population.

Recently the Portuguese government has been implementing immigrant-friendly policies.

Under its new immigration law, approved by parliament in August, illegal immigrants can legalize their situation if they can prove they are working and paying social security. Residency permits will be granted to victims of work exploitation if they expose their employers. Furthermore, foreigners who wish to work in Portugal can also be granted a temporary visa to come look for a job, provided they have the qualifications to match the available work offers.

The Immigration Service has also started employing immigrants at registration offices to help people from their home countries obtain documents and find work and housing. Authorities also run schemes for unemployed and homeless immigrants.

All of the immigrants to Vila de Rei took care of visas and work permits with the help of Brazilian and Portuguese authorities. Local city hall president, Irene Barata, who launched the project, said she plans to bring to the village about sixty more Brazilian families within two to three years. On behalf of this project, the High Commissioner said that it is a very positive example of what immigration models should be because it starts with a legalization process in the home country and addresses specific needs of the labor market in the host country.

On the other hand, also history plays a big role in Portugal's ties with its immigrants.

Until the early 19th century, it was one of Europe's foremost colonial powers, with an empire spanning from Africa to South America - and Brazil was the crowning possession. Since 1822, after Brazil gained independence, Portugal has entered a prolonged period of decline. It was one of the poorest nations in Europe for much of the 20th Century - thousands of people emigrated to richer European countries or to the United States.

Since Portugal joined the EU in 1986, however, its standard of living has improved so much it is now sucking in labor for low-paid jobs nobody wants. Therefore, the experience of leaving home in search of a better life has taught many Portuguese to have a more tolerant attitude towards newcomers, experts say. Race crimes are rare, and there is little outspoken resentment of immigrants.

Numbering around 90,000, Brazilians make up the bulk of around 500,000 immigrants settled in Portugal. At least 10,000 Brazilians are believed to be in Portugal illegally. There are also large numbers of Africans, mainly from the former Portuguese colony Angola, and eastern Europeans.

However, the integration of Brazilians is much eased by the long-standing cultural ties between the two countries and by their same language, albeit very differently accented.

Source: International Herald Tribune, August 24, 2006, http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/08/24/europe/EU_FEA_GEN_Portugal_Welcoming_Immigrants.php

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