How many South Africans moved to Portugal in 2025?
Portugal issued 680 first residence permits to South African citizens in 2025, the main official indicator of how many moved there (Eurostat, data updated on 22 October 2026). That is 71 more than in 2024 (609), a change of +11.7%. Eurostat marks a break in the time series for Portugal in 2025, so part of the change may come from a change in how the permits are counted. By reason: family 315 (46.3%), other reasons 217 (31.9%), work 143 (21.0%), education 5 (0.7%). 675 of them (99.3%) were valid for 12 months or more.
Portugal · South African citizens · 2025: 680 first residence permitsb
Portugal issued 7.1% of all first permits given to South African citizens in the EU in 2025 (9,529). Every EU country.
Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).
What this number is, and what it is not
- It is the number of South African citizens who received a residence permit in Portugal for the first time in 2025: a permit valid for at least 3 months, for family, education, work or other reasons. A permit also counts as "first" when the person had none for the same reason in the 6 months before.
- It is not a count of moves: some people who receive a permit never move, or leave soon after.
- It leaves out South Africans who also hold an EU passport (the statistics cover non-EU citizens only), stays shorter than 3 months and renewed permits.
- It is not the number of South Africans living in Portugal, which is much larger.
Why South Africans moved to Portugal in 2025: permits by reason
| Reason | 2025 | Share | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family | 315 | 46.3% | 234 | +34.6% |
| Education | 5 | 0.7% | 15 | −66.7% |
| Work | 143b | 21.0% | 102 | +40.2% |
| Other | 217 | 31.9% | 258 | −15.9% |
| All reasons | 680b | 100% | 609 | +11.7% |
Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).
Family: joining or accompanying a family member. Education: study and other education. Work: paid employment (Eurostat's "employment reasons", also called remunerated activities), for example EU Blue Cards, other skilled work and seasonal work. Other: international protection and humanitarian status, permits for residence only, and other or unspecified reasons.
South Africans moving to Portugal, year by year (2019–2025)
| Year | All reasons | Family | Education | Work | Other | Valid 12+ months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 311 | 214 | 7 | 73 | 17 | 304 |
| 2020 | 363 | 242 | 3 | 103 | 15 | – |
| 2021 | 405 | 199 | 7 | 129 | 70 | 405 |
| 2022 | 713 | 286 | 4 | 241 | 182 | 710 |
| 2023 | 753 | 292 | 17 | 246 | 198 | 752 |
| 2024 | 609 | 234 | 15 | 102 | 258 | 603 |
| 2025 | 680b | 315 | 5 | 143b | 217 | 675b |
Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Eurostat revises past years when countries correct their data. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).
Eurostat marks a break in the time series in 2025 (b): figures before and after are not fully comparable.
Questions people ask
How many South Africans moved to Portugal in 2025?
680 South African citizens received a first residence permit in Portugal in 2025 (Eurostat). That is 71 more than in 2024 (609), a change of +11.7%.
How many South Africans moved to Portugal in 2024?
609 South African citizens received a first residence permit in Portugal in 2024.
Why do South Africans move to Portugal?
The most common reason in 2025 was family (315 permits). By reason: family 315 (46.3%), other reasons 217 (31.9%), work 143 (21.0%), education 5 (0.7%).
How many South Africans moved to Europe in 2025?
The 27 EU countries issued 9,529 first residence permits to South African citizens in 2025; Portugal issued 7.1% of them. All countries.
Is this the number of South Africans living in Portugal?
No. It counts only new permits issued in 2025. People who have lived there for years, renewed their permits or have an EU passport are not included.
Visas and statistics for Portugal on this site
- Portugal visa income requirements 2026
- Portugal D8 digital nomad visa: income requirement
- Portugal D7 visa (passive income and retirement): income requirement
- Portugal Schengen visa rejection rate 2025
- Visa refusal rates for South Africa: Schengen, UK and more
Where else South Africans moved in 2025
Who else moved to Portugal in 2025
How many South Africans moved to Europe in 2025 · Who moved where: all nationalities · Visa income calculator