“The first half of 2025 broke all records in terms of the number of Portuguese returning, surpassing the number of 36,000 emigrants covered by the program,” said José Albano.
Speaking to Lusa, the program coordinator emphasized that the figures for the first semester marked the largest increase since the initiative began, attributing this to a broader dissemination of the goals and benefits of the measure.
“It is a result of the work, sessions across the country and abroad to raise awareness among partners about the necessary efforts to encourage emigrants to decide to return to their country using the measures provided by the government,” said Albano, adding that these actions have focused particularly “on communities, associations, companies, and all involved partners.”
More than 73% of the Portuguese who returned under the program are between 25 and 44 years old, with 34% of them being young qualified individuals with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, highlighting that the program “is succeeding in supporting those young people who had to go abroad and can now find opportunities in the country to fulfill themselves professionally, while also helping companies address the shortage of qualified labor.”
Originating from 116 countries, applications for the program are led by Switzerland, followed by France and the United Kingdom, currently averaging 405 processes per month in the first half of this year, concluded Albano.
Among the main advantages of returning to Portugal under this program, José Albano highlighted a 50% reduction in income taxes for the first five years, economic and financial support for the creation of jobs either self-employed or as employees, monetary support for the transport of goods and merchandise, and assistance for the recognition of the academic qualifications equivalency obtained by the emigrant while residing in another country.
