Brazil voluntary return requests in Portugal rise 52% in 2026

Requests for voluntary return by Brazilian citizens in Portugal have increased by 52% in 2026 compared to the monthly average recorded in 2025. According to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 470 Brazilians applied for the program through July 2026, compared to a monthly average of 67 requests this year versus 44 in 2025.

As of July 2026, 210 Brazilians have effectively returned to Brazil, representing approximately 73% of the total returns recorded in all of 2025. Brazilians continue to make up the majority of applicants for the IOM program, accounting for 78% of all foreign community requests through July.

The IOM voluntary return program provides psychosocial counseling, travel planning, airfare, and 70 euros for incidental expenses to assist migrants in returning to their country of origin.