South American Migration to Europe in 2025

South American migration to Europe in 2025 is a complex mix of labor mobility, family moves, student flows and protection-seeking. The region’s economic swings, political shocks and demographic shifts keep push factors active, while European labor shortages, language links and migration pathways pull people across the Atlantic.

The big picture: how many, and where they go.

Europe remains a major destination for people born in South America. In absolute terms, Europe hosted a rising share of the world’s migrants through 2024 and early 2025: the UN estimates Europe held about 94 million international migrants in 2024, more than any other world region, and that broader migration stock provides context for cross-Atlantic flows.

Within EU statistics, non-EU migration continued to rise through 2022 and 2023, driven by a wide range of origin regions; EU data show that overall immigrant totals and new arrivals remain historically high as of the 2024 interactive migration review. These macro trends help explain why South American migrants find multiple entry points into European labor markets and family networks.

Top European destinations for South Americans vary by nationality. Portugal and Spain are natural draws for Brazilians, Colombians and others because of language affinity and existing diasporas; Italy and the Netherlands attract skilled professionals and students; the UK and Germany draw engineers, IT specialists and healthcare workers. Taken together, these flows reflect both longstanding ties and newer recruitment channels. For example, Portugal’s recent uptick in Brazilian work permits has made headlines as a significant bilateral movement in the last couple of years.

Who is moving — profiles and drivers.

Profiles of movers from South America are diverse:

• Economic migrants and jobseekers. Many move to fill roles in hospitality, construction, logistics, agriculture and healthcare where European employers face labour gaps.
• Students and young professionals. Europe’s universities and tech hubs attract South Americans seeking advanced degrees and international careers.
• Protection-seekers and asylum applicants. Venezuelans remain a prominent group seeking international protection in EU+ states; asylum trends in 2024–25 show Venezuelan claims rising in several months.
• Family and return migration. Family reunification and circular movement — temporary work abroad, then return home — continue to shape flows.

Push factors include uneven growth, inflationary pressures and political uncertainty across parts of the region. Pull factors range from wage gaps to formal recruitment programs and easier recognition of some professional credentials. Remittances remain a direct economic tie: migrants’ earnings abroad help sustain families and households back home, which in turn shapes migration decisions.

Protection trends: asylum and Venezuelan flows.

Asylum trends in the EU shifted through 2024. First-time asylum applications in the EU dropped overall in 2024 compared with 2023, yet Venezuelan applicants registered notable increases in monthly counts and in some receiving countries reflecting the protracted crisis in Venezuela and secondary movements across the region. The European Union Agency for Asylum highlighted Venezuelans as one of the leading nationalities applying for protection in parts of 2024–25.

For policy and practitioners, this means the South American migration story is not singular: while many migrants arrive through planned labor or study routes, a significant and visible share applies for protection creating mixed migration pressure on asylum systems in Spain, Portugal, Italy and beyond.

Case study: Brazil — Portugal (a fast-moving example).

Brazilian migration to Portugal is a standout case. Portugal’s policy adjustments, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) ties and active recruitment by Portuguese employers have driven rising numbers of Brazilian residents and permits. Portugal issued thousands of work visas to Brazilian citizens in recent years, and Brazilian nationals represent a leading share of residence-permit activity in several recent datasets. The OECD’s migration overview and national permit tallies underscore how Portugal has become a major European destination for Brazilians during 2022–2024.

Jon Purizhansky, CEO of Joblio, grounded in what employers and policymakers actually face:“Portugal is an effective example of language and policy aligning with labor demand. Employers find Brazilians adaptable and motivated, while migrants gain legal pathways. The result is a rapid, measurable increase in placements.”

Labor market realities: sectors, wages and credential recognition.

European employers recruit South Americans across multiple sectors:

• Hospitality and tourism. Seasonal and year-round roles in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece.
• Health and care. Nurses and care workers from South America gain licences or take bridging courses in a number of EU states.
• Logistics and warehousing. Warehouse operators, drivers and technicians are in demand across Western Europe.
• Tech and professional services. Engineers, developers and data specialists from Brazil, Argentina and Chile increasingly enter Europe through tech hiring channels and start-up ecosystems.

A persistent issue is skills recognition. Many migrants arrive with valuable training or experience, but formal licensing and local certification can delay deployment. Employers and training providers who invest in credential mapping and short, modular bridging courses see faster onboarding and higher retention.

Jon Purizhansky says: “Too often, the system wastes skills because recognition is slow or expensive. Practical, employer-led bridging courses unlock productivity quickly, you get people doing useful work and employers seeing returns sooner.”

Integration, retention and social outcomes.

Integration outcomes vary by destination and policy design. Language instruction, housing access, clear employment contracts and community support all improve retention. Cities that invest in municipal-level welcome services and that partner with employers see better retention and quicker paths from temporary jobs to stable employment and family reunification.

Data on naturalisation and long-term residency show that many South Americans move toward established lives in Europeregistering for long-term residency or pursuing citizenship where eligible. Eurostat and national registers track long-term residency growth across the EU, showing rising shares of non-EU-born residents who obtain stable status.

Policy responses in Europe: balancing demand and control.

European countries have taken several approaches:

• Targeted labor pathways. Fast-track visa schemes for shortage occupations, talent partnerships and seasonal worker programs. These channels reduce irregular entries and connect employers to vetted candidates.
• Asylum rule adjustments. Some states tighten asylum recognition while expanding complementary protection or humanitarian routes for specific nationalities.
• Integration investment. Funds such as ESF+ and national programs support language training, VET alignment and credential recognition.

These policies aim to reconcile labor needs with public expectations and border management. Where cooperation with origin countries is effective, bilateral or regional schemes reduce frictions and improve outcomes.

Numbers to watch (2024–2025 snapshot).

• UN global context: Europe hosted about 94 million international migrants in 2024 — an important backdrop to inbound regional flows.
• EU migration reporting: The EU’s 2024 interactive review shows elevated non-EU immigration totals through 2022–23, which frame ongoing flows including those from South America.
• Asylum dynamics: Venezuelan asylum applications in the EU registered sharp monthly increases at times in 2024–25, making Venezuelans one of the prominent South American nationalities seeking protection.
• Portugal–Brazil movement: Portugal’s work-permit and residence figures show a clear surge of Brazilian arrivals and permit issuances in recent years, reflecting bilateral mobility and employer demand.

Risks and tensions.

This mixed migration pattern creates political and operational challenges:

• Public debate and social cohesion. In places where integration services are thin or housing markets are tight, public pushback can rise, transparent communication and local participation are essential.
• Underemployment and credential waste. Delays in recognition cause experienced migrants to accept low-paid roles, which damages both individual prospects and host country productivity.
• Irregular routes and exploitation. Smarter legal pathways reduce reliance on irregular intermediaries and protect migrants from fraud.

Practical advice for employers and policymakers.

For governments and local authorities:

• Build employer-led bridging courses tied to licensing.
• Expand bilateral recruitment accords that combine pre-departure training, recognition pathways and return options.
• Invest in welcome services at municipal level to improve retention.

For employers:

• Map credentials early and sponsor short, targeted training to speed on boarding.
• Use verified recruitment platforms and insists on transparent contract terms.
• Provide language support and a buddy system during the first months.

Jon Purizhansky:“Employers who take responsibility for on boarding perform better on retention. It’s an investment: orientation, language and a clear probation process cut churn and deliver value.”

South American migration to Europe will remain dynamic through 2025 and into the late 2020s. Shifts in labor demand across Europe, policy changes in destination states, and economic recovery or downturns in origin economies will all shape flows. What matters for positive outcomes is connecting demand to supply ethically: fast recognition, practical training and bilateral cooperation that respects rights and responds to business needs.

Originally Posted: https://www.jonpurizhanskybuffalo.com/south-american-migration-to-europe-in-2025/