Ukrainians in Portugal

Ukrainians constitute the second-largest foreign community residing in Portugal, with 44,074 residents in 2012, and 52,293 in 2009, according to the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF). Only the Brazilian immigrant community is larger. According to data from SEF, this number represents a decrease in respect of 62,448 Ukrainians residing in Portugal in 2002, when they were the largest immigrant community in Portugal.

Ukrainians began arriving in Portugal in the late 1990s, and there was a tremendous growth in the early years of the twenty-first century. In the initial phase, between 1999 and 2002, immigration was processed either in an organized manner, based on intermediaries, or through international networks of illegal recruitment of workers, disguised as travel agencies. The earliest immigrants entered the country with Schengen visas, valid throughout the Schengen Area, and remained undocumented until they were granted permanence permits.

From 2004, following the decline in investment in major public works, the economic recession and improved mechanisms for controlling illegal immigration, many Ukrainians have left the country.

Since 2009, the decline in the number of immigrants has steepened as a consequence of the economic crisis that has been occurring from 2008 on, and also due to the acquisition of Portuguese nationality by many Ukrainian citizens.

Initially, the intention of many Ukrainian immigrants was to remain in Portugal for short periods, and many of them left the country. However, many others ended up opting for a longer stay. Among these, many decided to settle permanently in Portugal, joining or forming their families in the country and seeking recognition of their academic and professional qualifications, aiming access to more skilled and better paid jobs.

Although the initial migration flow was motivated by job search and was predominantly masculine, the female component in the Ukrainian community in Portugal has increased substantially during the following years, particularly for reasons related to family reunification. According to Census 2011, women represented 49.2% of the Ukrainian population resident in Portugal, while in 2001 they were only 18.6%.

The Ukrainian population in Portugal is relatively young compared to the native Portuguese population. The average age of Ukrainians residing in Portugal is 34, lower than that of native Portuguese, which is 42.1 years.

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Wikipedia