Brazilians are considered slaves in Portugal
My girlfriend ist brazilian with an italian passport.
She was working as a photographer in Brazil and really did some outstanding photos. In Portugal, whenever she applies to jobs, she is being denied.
Reason: “We only want portugese people working in the office. Maybe you can work in some factory”.
The only jobs where she seems to be able to get are either factory jobs or as a waitress.
She had several jobs where she was required to work at least 10 hours a day (often even 12 hours), for 6 days of the week.
The monthly payout was often 400-500 EUR.
Many brazilian friends have similar stories to tell.
Also whenever any brazilian lands a job, they have to hear all the racist remarks of portugese coworkers.. “Go back to you country”, “I just have to say anything [negative] about you, and you’ll get fired. So you better to as I tell you!” are common used phrases.
From all the brazilians I know, no one is dishonest or lazy. They work their ass off and then are still being treated like this - and portugese people aren’t even ashamed.
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Comments7
Lime Manatee
May 31, 2025
Companies will always hire for the less money they pay, capitalist and profit oriented althought they don’t show profits because if they do they are taxed
Even to Portuguese people this happens specially if you try to work in the food / hotel business.
Purple Mustard
May 27, 2025
A brazilian carpenter stole about 400 EUROS from me,
Ever since then I often view brazilians as “thiefs” from the “favelas”.
Huge generalisation I know, and i am sure not all brazilians are like that.
But Brazil is often linked with criminal activity, drugs, hiphop/gangsta vibes, drinking alcohol, loud music, partying.
Amazing what generalization can do.
Funny enough, when a Portuguse goes to UK/US, it happens to them haha
Generally they are looked down upon outside of portugal.
Red Glacier
May 27, 2025
I’m a Portuguese living abroad and it’s true that we’re looked down outside. I’m a tech professional with 4 years of experience and the only job offer I had was to work in a restaurant kitchen. As an immigrant I was not really expecting a red carpet waiting for my arrival.
This is not a Portugal problem, it’s one of the many battles as immigrant from any country. We have to work our way to have our place.
There is no one that would wish this would be easier than me.
Pink Rice
Dec 10, 2025
Brazilian here! 🙋♀️
I am terribly sorry about your experience and I hope you managed to get the money back. But I please ask you to not generalize.
I’ve been here for 6 years. I pay my taxes, have a very boring lifestyle, and planning to have a family so no drugs/party/gangasta vibes for me! I hate noise and craziness as much as you do. It’s just very unfortunate that many of us are giving away such a terrible representation of the country out in the world. I am also against illegal immigration and I think every foreginer living here should have necessary paperwork and money/job to avoid disturbing the path of others.
Indigo Milkshake
May 26, 2025
Honestly man, if she speaks good English, almost anything she can do online will pay better than 400 EUR per month. Get her on Upwork or something like that so she can have a better gig soon :)
Pink Rice
Dec 10, 2025
Yes and yes! I did many job interviews when I arrived here. The offers were terrible. I gave up and went on Upwork!
White Sunshine
May 26, 2025
There are a LOT o Brazilians working in Portugal in the most different types of jobs.
Maybe she should start a Photography business…