Immigration in Portugal Portugal was for centuries a country where most of its population was forced to emigrate to survive, which still continues to happen. The history of each of the many Portuguese communities throughout the world reflects this harsh reality. Over the last twenty years, Portugal has also become a destination for many immigrants. It has been sought by people of Portuguese speaking countries, but currently also accepts those coming from Eastern Europe. The great boom of immigration occurred in 1999 and only slowed down in The number of legal immigrants in Portugal, reaching 388,258 people (Mid 2002). The situation then became extremely difficult to control, mainly due to the action of illegal immigration networks.

Illegal immigrants -The situation of illegal immigrants, especially in the Algarve, has become particularly problematic in recent times. -The last period of extraordinary legalization occurred on 20 November 2001, when according to the government would have been reached the number of immigrants for the Portuguese market. According to the law, all immigrants that come after that period would be considered illegal. -The truth is that the mafias, mainly from eastern Europe, continued to introduce in Portugal tens of thousands of illegal immigrants. The Immigration Service (SEF) was granted only in the first three months of 2002, a total of 48,418 new residence permits. -The granting of new permits was made under Law 4 / 2001and it is justified by the existence of an employment contract valid.

Brazilian immigrants By the end of the eighties the flow of Brazilian immigrants who benefits from the exemption of visas for entry (as tourists) increased. They work mainly in the catering, construction and trade. Major networks feed the illegal market of prostitution, not only for Portugal but across Europe. In the eighties the number of immigrants was also evident in qualifying activities, such as dentistry. The Brazilian immigrants are now spread across the country including small villages in the province, but their main concentration is in the surroundings of Lisbon. Foreign residents from Brazil: 48,691 (as of 18/2/2002). The number of Brazilians living in Portugal, in mid-2004, was estimated to be over 100 thousand people.

IMMIGRANTS FROM AFRICA – and Muslim Countries Most of Muslim African immigrants who come to Portugal, are still coming from Guinea-Bissau. However, in recent years the number of those arriving from Morocco increased. Portugal became a destination increasingly sought by Morocco due to increasing difficulties in finding employment in Spain. The Moroccans are by far those who most seek Portugal. In the last two years, were granted residence permits in 1348 to Morocco, followed by Egyptians, with 654, the Algerians (138) and Tunisians (136). The other nationalities do not have any numbers.

INTEGRATION Countries such as Portugal, Spain and Italy were "exporting" labor countries, not accustomed to receiving immigrants. It is therefore hardly surprising that their states do not have effective programs of integration and protection of immigrants, leaving them to all types of explorers. The Portuguese laws have been addapted to the new situation but some mistakes remain waiting to be corrected, namely the ones related to human rights.