Portuguese migrants now looking further afield than Europe

Due to the country’s economic situation and high unemployment figure in 2011, 100,000 Portuguese nationals sought work elsewhere in Europe, with 2012’s figures showing more distant destinations are being considered

.According to Portuguese Secretary of State Jose Cesario, Portuguese nationals are continuing to leave the country at an increasing rate, seeking legal or even illegal work outside Europe. At present, the unemployment rate in the country stands at 15 per cent.

Cesario states that an increase in emigration to Mozambique, Brazil and Angola was matched by a decrease in unemployed people heading for other European countries. He believes that between 100,000 and 120,000 left during 2011, and that the figure will increase considerably in 2012.

He adds that fewer jobs seem to be available this year in European Union countries, explaining that representatives of several EU countries had approached his office to alert the Portuguese government to falling demand in European job markets. Cesario is concerned that Portuguese nationals may be entering certain countries such as the US and Brazil as tourists and dropping off the radar as illegal immigrants.

Cases such as these, he adds, have been reported from both countries’ embassies as well as from local contacts in Brazil and the US, and are causing problems, although confirming the actual numbers of migrants involved is not possible. The Secretary of State insisted that only those with guarantees of legal work with a reputable employer should consider emigration.