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November 7, 2022
What is Life like for Indians in Portugal? Interesting Facts about the Indian Diaspora
By trivialchapter| Immigration Visa
The Indian Diaspora in Portugal is quite strong, with the latest survey showing around 85,000 people that are immigrants and folks who can trace their roots back to the Indian subcontinent. Lisbon and Porto, understandably, are the two biggest hubs of the Indian community in Portugal. Still, a sizeable population can be found in Algarve, Montijo, and other regions.
A majority of the Indian community comprises people that have immigrated from Goa due to shared cultural ties between the two regions. Goa was under 500 years of Portuguese rule, and hence strong and lasting links can be easily found in all areas of life.
Immigration to Portugal: On the Rise
Immigration to Portugal has been on the rise in the last few years. The number of Indian citizens immigrating to Portugal has increased by 60% in the previous five years. Indian citizens are increasingly interested in migrating to Portugal for various reasons. Some of them include a lower cost of living and better career opportunities.
The number of Indian people immigrating to Portugal is also increasing due to improved relationships between India and Portugal, as well as the introduction of direct flights from Mumbai (India) to Lisbon (Portugal).
Migration of Indians to Portugal and the Life in Portugal for Indian
The primary reason behind such a significant migration of Indians to the Portuguese shore is the high demand for skilled workers in the country.
A bilateral agreement was signed between the Indian and Portuguese governments recently to make the immigration process a lot easier. In the agreement, a particular emphasis was placed on the immigration of skilled Indian workers and their ability to carry out professional activities on Portuguese soil.
This has also encouraged more immigration from the Indian subcontinent, including from Haryana and Punjab. The attitude of the Portuguese government towards Indians can be better described as inviting, and the general population of the country also has a tolerant view of immigration, especially towards skilled immigration.
Portugal is a majority Christian country, with 81% identifying themselves as Roman Catholic and a further 3.2% belonging to other Christian sects. However, just like many of the other Western European countries, it has a tolerant view of other religions, and the Indian diaspora, especially those of Hindu and Sikh religions, have no issue practicing their faith in Portugal.
Portuguese-Indian Culture and Customs
The cultural impact of the presence of the Indian diaspora in Portugal can be seen in the increase in the popularity of Yoga and Ayurveda. Indians Festivals are open to everyone regardless of their faith and have done an excellent job of bridging the gap that might exist between the local population and the immigrants.
There are also several Indian restaurants, museums, and performing arts schools in Portugal. One can also easily find statues of Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi in the country.
Indian Cinemas are also a big hit in Portugal, and it is not something that is just limited to Bollywood as other regional language movies are also picking up in popularity in the last few years.
It should also be noted that the current Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa is also of Indian descent. His father was born In Maputo, Mozambique, into a Goan family, which makes him half-Indian. The Prime Minister is also on the record stating that Portugal will advocate for India In Europe.
Conclusion: Challenges faced by the Indian Community in Portugal
For the most part, Portugal is undoubtedly among the best countries in the world for Indians to immigrate to, something that one can verify just by looking at the latest count of Indian ex-pats residing there.
However, there are certain issues that Indian immigrants might have to tackle when they move to Portugal.
Indian immigrants might find it challenging to communicate with locals if they are familiar with the local language. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges that are faced by Indian immigrants, as proficiency in Portuguese is crucial.
This could easily hamper one’s chances of being a successful professional in the country. And while, on the whole, Portugal is immigrant-friendly, there is the rising popularity of the right-wing populist party CHEGA!, which shows shifting sentiments in the country. In the last election, the party did receive 5.2% of the vote, winning 12 seats, four alone in the Lisbon area.
If you are planning immigration to Portugal, it would be wise to connect with a professional immigration consultant to help you out. You can reach out to us for a free consultation regarding the same. Just click here and book your appointment.
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