This is the main conclusion of the analysis of Flash No. 2 of the FEP's Office of Economic, Business and Public Policy Studies, which highlights the “political potential” of foreigners residing in Portugal.

“The participation of immigrants in political life must be encouraged by political parties in their recruitment and in the call for registration and exercise of the right to vote”, states the director of FEP, Óscar Afonso.

In 2023, more than one million foreigners of 185 different nationalities resided in Portugal, however, at the end of 2024 only 34,165 were registered, representing 3.3% of resident foreigners and 0.3% of the total number of registered people.

The more than 30,000 registered people include the 16,985 resident foreigners who in 2023 acquired Portuguese nationality and broad political rights, in which case registration is automatic.

For other resident foreigners, the census is voluntary, which requires “additional effort and interest.”

“After acquiring nationality, including through the most common form of naturalisation, resident foreigners gain almost full political rights, being able to vote in all elections, join political parties and hold elective office, except that of President of the Republic”, highlights Nuno Torres, head of the FEP research office.

Acquisition of nationality, through naturalisation, requires legal residence for at least five years, according to the Nationality Law.

However, depending on the country of origin and the reciprocity agreements in force, resident foreigners may, after three years or less, vote in certain elections.

Citizens of other European Union countries can vote in European and municipal elections as soon as they register.

Brazilian and Cape Verdean citizens can vote in municipal elections after two years, and citizens of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela and the post-Brexit United Kingdom after three years of legal residence.

After three years of residence, Brazilian citizens can request the Status of Equal Political Rights, enshrined in the Porto Seguro Treaty, which gives them access to political rights "as if they had already acquired nationality", however, "the few existing data suggest low interest in requesting this status".

"This would strengthen democracy and the integration of immigrants, reducing the space for populism and stimulating sustained economic development," says Óscar Afonso.

Moving abroad

The FEP analysis also highlights that the majority of foreigners who acquire Portuguese nationality reside outside the country (24,408 in 2023), as do those who are naturalized (19,237).

“The departure abroad of foreigners who acquire Portuguese nationality, namely through naturalization, highlights the difficulties of retaining and integrating immigrants, compromising the country's political and economic potential”, considers the director of FEP and one of the authors of the Flash analysis.

Currently, immigrant membership of political parties “is marginal or non-existent, similar to what occurs in the rest of Europe”, points out the FEP publication.

If political parties actively recruited immigrants to represent approximately 10% of foreign residents, 23 of the 230 elected deputies would be of foreign origin.

“Portugal has an opportunity to lead in the political integration of immigrants and show Europe how countries can promote more harmonious development,” adds the FEP director.