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South Africa → Portugal

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
South Africa
To
Portugal
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
773
Share of all arrivals in Portugal, 2023
0.25%
Inflow 2023773OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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Migration from South Africa to Portugal

Inflows of nationals of South Africa recorded by Portugal; stock of nationals of South Africa living there; and acquisitions of Portugal's nationality (OECD).

Inflows by year

38777320212023
38777320212023
Data table
2021405
2022717
2023773
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
20237731,66218
20227171,74847
20214051,64039
2020—1,60534
2019—1,37919
2018—1,02018
2017—83914
2016—63515
2015—62019
2014—56017
2013—573—
2012—582—
2011—580—
2010—589—
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

People born in South Africa who live in Portugal: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

7,11614k19901995200020052010201520202024
7,11614k19902000201020202024
Data table
19906,464
19958,622
200011,131
200511,373
20109,728
201511,028
202012,651
202414,232
Estimate, 2024
14,232
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
1.3%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
16
Counted by
country of birth
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

Portugal's consulates in South Africa

Short-stay Schengen (C) visa applications at Portugal's consulates located in South Africa.

YearApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
202410,4149,2144384.2%
202311,13110,4905284.7%
20227,8847,3555296.7%
2021990912787.9%
20201,7791,6591206.7%
201912,27811,5687065.8%
201810,33210,0133103.0%
20178,8408,5243113.5%
20165,8025,5852173.7%
20155,9565,6852664.5%
20144,7714,5492204.6%
20134,7554,701531.1%
20125,4715,447240.4%
20116,2176,0951222.0%
20105,1835,113170.3%
20094,9774,879380.8%

Applications by year

6,13912k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
6,13912k200920122015201820212024
Data table
20094,977
20105,183
20116,217
20125,471
20134,755
20144,771
20155,956
20165,802
20178,840
201810,332
201912,278
20201,779
2021990
20227,884
202311,131
202410,414
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Portugal

First residence permits issued by Portugal to citizens of South Africa (Eurostat).

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family315
  2. Other reasons217
  3. Work143
  4. Education5
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2025680000
2024609029136
2023753018144
2022713047155
2021405039139
2020363034158
2019311019151
201832701894
201738701458
201622701562
201512801963
201411801747
20134501863
2012330180
2011600230
2010360170
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. Other paid activities133
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)10
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
3,536
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2025

Embassy and consulates

Missions of Portugal in South Africa, as recorded in Wikidata. Details change; the mission's official website is authoritative.

MissionCityOfficial website
EmbassyPretoriaembaixadaportugal.org.za
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Portugal, 2023; South Africa ranks 29.

Inflows to Portugal, 2023
  1. Brazil147,264
  2. Angola24,374
  3. Cape Verde14,623
  4. São Tomé and Príncipe14,504
  5. India12,185
  6. Guinea-Bissau10,320
  7. Bangladesh10,077
  8. Italy8,801
  9. United Kingdom7,365
  10. Pakistan6,869
  11. Germany5,483
  12. France5,138
Other destinations for people from South Africa, 2023
  1. New Zealand8,667
  2. Australia5,217
  3. Netherlands4,201
  4. United States3,180
  5. Germany1,478
  6. South Korea1,468
  7. Japan629
  8. France303
  9. Belgium302
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more