Why Portugal’s Welcoming Attitude Is Backfiring: The Impact of Wealthy Expats
On Portuguese identity, economic disparities, and the arrival of the indecipherable rich
It’s a trend that has become a reality: wealthy foreigners are flocking to Portugal at an astonishing rate, choosing it as their new home. At first glance, this influx might seem entirely positive.
Some might argue that, especially in a country with an aging population, the arrival of new residents is beneficial, even refreshing for a nation known for its hospitality. It all appears to be a win-win situation, with hopes of a much-needed economic boost.
Portugal has long been seen as a welcoming country, embracing the principle expressed in a famous Portuguese song: “If someone knocks humbly at the door, they are invited to sit at the table with us.”
For a long time, this was a mere ideal. We were, as our former dictator said, “proudly alone” — minus the pride for me, given the terrible poverty that man imposed upon our land.
For better or for worse, Portugal has traditionally been a relatively homogeneous country. With a shared history and culture uniting people across a spectrum of modest wealth and everyday hardships, we’ve been more familiar with poverty than…
