Young Portuguese professionals are increasingly choosing to emigrate, citing higher salaries, better career progression, and the rising cost of living in Portugal as the primary drivers for their departure. Despite the narrative that younger generations prioritize emotional benefits over financial compensation, many emigrants report that the inability to achieve financial stability in their home country makes staying untenable.
Teresa Santos, who has worked in research and development in Frankfurt, Germany, for five years, noted that she could not find suitable opportunities in Portugal after completing her studies. She stated that her current salary is two to three times higher than what her peers earn in Portugal, and she feels more valued in her professional role. Santos also highlighted that housing costs in Frankfurt are now comparable to those in Portugal, making it difficult for young people to live independently in their home country.
Sara Aguiar, a professional living in Geneva, Switzerland, emphasized that the ability to build wealth is significantly faster abroad due to higher wages and lower tax burdens. Aguiar, who holds a master’s degree from Nova SBE, noted that she needed to secure a higher income to recover the financial investment made in her education, a goal she found difficult to achieve within the Portuguese labor market.
Inês Vidigal, from the Emigration Observatory, explained that the current trend involves highly qualified young people who invest in their education but find that local companies cannot offer competitive salaries or clear career paths. According to the Observatory, approximately 19,700 Portuguese citizens aged 15 to 34 emigrated in 2024. Vidigal noted that tracking these trends is challenging due to delays in official statistics, which complicates the evaluation of government initiatives like the Regressar program, designed to incentivize the return of emigrants through tax benefits and employment support.
The trend is also reflected on social media, where influencers share their experiences living abroad. Ana Neto, who moved to Switzerland, reported receiving hundreds of inquiries from others interested in emigrating. She noted that while she and her partner have financial goals, they would consider returning to Portugal only if there were significant improvements in job opportunities, salary levels, and the cost of living.
João Farinha, who recently moved to Düsseldorf, Germany, expressed frustration regarding the economic disparity between the two countries. He stated that basic expenses, such as groceries and rent, are often more affordable in Germany than in Portugal. Farinha argued that the housing crisis is a critical factor preventing young people from remaining in Portugal, noting that it is nearly impossible for a young person earning a minimum wage to live alone in his home country.