The growth of the Brazilian community in Portugal has been putting pressure on consular services, which, with available resources, are trying to respond to requests while also providing legal and psychological support, a diplomatic source told Lusa today.
“The increase in consular processes carried out in Portugal, particularly in Lisbon—namely passport issuances—reflects the growth of the Brazilian community [in the country],” the Consul General in Lisbon, Alessandro Candeas, told Lusa on the sidelines of an information session with the immigrant community held today at Casa do Brasil in the Portuguese capital.
In addition to the most common administrative services—available at consulates in Porto, Lisbon, and Faro—Candeas said that legal and psychological support is also provided (not continuous, but at least at an initial stage).
“We have a legal advisor who offers assistance in some cases. The consulate is not a party in any process, but anyone with questions on any issue can contact us and our legal advisor provides guidance. Psychological support is also available, not continuous, but as a first step,” he explained.
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During the session, it was noted that in 2025 the Lisbon consulate handled 85,677 requests via the e-consular system, responded to 33,281 emails, issued 15,049 passports, and carried out 2,745 assistance cases, among other services.
There has also been an increase in requests for return authorizations to Brazil (ARB), the ambassador confirmed to Lusa.
“There has been an increase in requests to return to Brazil, mainly voluntary, funded either by individuals themselves or through social support such as that provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex),” he said.
“These two entities work in partnership with the Brazilian consulate whenever a citizen in a situation of high social vulnerability demonstrates that they cannot remain here and wish to return to Brazil,” he added.
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When asked about preparations for Brazil’s presidential election in Portugal, for which the consulate is responsible, the Consul General said that Brazilian immigrants in Portugal represent the largest electorate outside Brazil. Three polling locations will be set up in Lisbon: the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Law, and the Rectorate of the University of Lisbon.
“In Lisbon alone, there are an estimated 62,000 Brazilian voters. It is the largest electorate outside Brazil,” he reiterated.
During the session, the ambassador stressed the importance of bringing consular services closer to emigrants, who raised concerns related to visas, pensions and proof-of-life requirements, and the presidential elections scheduled for October, with electoral rolls in Portugal closing on May 6.
This was the 24th information session out of a total of 36 planned since 2023 by Casa do Brasil in Lisbon. Topics include residence permit renewals, immigration rules, diploma recognition, among others, according to the organization.
The sessions are part of the FAMI2030 project – Local Support Centers for the Integration of Migrants (CLAIM) “Migrate with Rights – Integrate for Equality,” promoted by Casa do Brasil in Lisbon and funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (FAMI).
