Lisbon, March 25, 2026 (Lusa) - The governor of the Bank of Portugal, Alvaro Santos Pereira, argued on Wednesday that, regardless of nationality, foreigners in Portugal are "performing productive activities and working."

The official pointed out that there has been a "large influx of immigration in recent years, the majority of whom are employees," during the presentation of the March Economic Bulletin in Lisbon.

According to the bulletin, in 2025, approximately 1.13 million foreigners were registered with Social Security, almost entirely as employees or self-employed workers.

Regarding nationalities, the study concludes that 38% of foreign entries into Portugal were Brazilian citizens, followed by individuals from South Asian countries – India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan – at approximately 19%, and those from Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) at 14%.

As for sectors of activity, between 2010 and 2024, approximately 20% of workers joined companies in administrative activities and support services, 18% in accommodation and catering, 15% in agriculture and fisheries, and 14% in construction.

Trade represented 10% of entries and industry about 7%.

The governor emphasised that the study's conclusion is that "foreign workers are [in Portugal] to work, they are working in various activities," regardless of nationality.

He highlighted that among immigrants, there are fewer social benefits and pensions than for nationals. They are individuals around 33 years old and are involved in various activities.

Asked about which immigration policies should be applied, Santos Pereira said that "perhaps it is worth having an active immigration policy, trying to identify ex-ante the sectors" where there are the greatest needs and trying to attract people to those sectors.

"It is important, as in other countries, to try to attract more immigrants with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees," he said.

MES/RYOL // AYLS

Lusa