No…not really. Maybe a little bit. There is a history of colonialism. The Portuguese were one of the biggest slave traders in the world (move over you Dutch and British slave traders). But is Portugal racist now? I would say…a touch, but it’s different than countries like the US or Italy. Most people in Portugal are not racist, older people can hold on to stereotypes, but the nicest thing about Portugal is that even this is not malicious. It is rare to run into someone who is truly racist. Let’s see why.
Bing also has a cool feature to see a heat map for racism in different countries: 
Here are the minorities on TV: 
Notice a trend? The countries that are most racist have almost no minorities on their screens. It like there is no diversity in China, in Russia, Colombia, and Brazil. But we have outliers like the USA (that’s where I am from). There are plenty of minorities on television, but it is quite a racist place (especially in the middle of the country). Portugal is quite different. I had a friend here tell me that “God created black people, God created white people, and the Portuguese created mulattos”. This is where we’ll start to set the scene.
Is Portugal Racist and How Does it Compare to Other Countries?
Here is a very non-scientific chart I put together on the racism I have felt in various countries that I have traveled to: Bing also has a cool feature to see a heat map for racism in different countries: Here are the minorities on TV: Notice a trend? The countries that are most racist have almost no minorities on their screens. It like there is no diversity in China, in Russia, Colombia, and Brazil. But we have outliers like the USA (that’s where I am from). There are plenty of minorities on television, but it is quite a racist place (especially in the middle of the country). Portugal is quite different. I had a friend here tell me that “God created black people, God created white people, and the Portuguese created mulattos”. This is where we’ll start to set the scene.Portugal’s Demographics
In recent years, Portugal has been receiving more and more immigrants. This includes a steady influx from Africa’s former Portuguese colonies including Cape Verde and Angola. You will also run into people from Mozambique, and Portuguese India like Goa. In the 90’s there was a flow of migrants from Eastern Europe: Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldovia. As of the 2000’s the main influx has been from Brazil and China (the later due to the Golden Visa program). In the past 5 years, the immigration is coming in from France (the French are currently the number one group purchasing real estate in Portugal), the UK, and Germany with a few expats from the USA. Even with all this immigration, 94% of the population is Portuguese born.What is Racism Like in Portugal
Younger Portuguese are pretty open to everyone, especially in larger cities like Lisboa, Porto, and Coimbra. The older community still holds stereotypes about outsider communities such as blacks or ciganos (gypsies). They will hold assumptions that crime, poverty and lower education are higher within these demographic groups. For my own experience I haven’t had anything close to the racism you would see in US or China. Yes I have had a security guard in El Corte Ingles go out of his way to follow me through the store. But after he saw me a few times he would just say “ola” and nod. Yes I have been mistaken for someone else because of the color of my skin (they honestly thought I was someone else who really didn’t look anything like me except he was brown skinned). Anyway, all in a all I would happily say Portugal is not that racist. Lucky me.
Very interesting charts. To think that some countries are more racist than others is eye opening.
It’s very interesting when you travel seeing how people react to other religions and races. I’m thrilled to be in Portugal where racism is minimal.
Wow an interesting read i had no idea. We are planning a trip to Europe next summer and Portugal is under consideration good to know.
I have done a lot of travelling over the last few years. I have noticed some countries to be more racist then others. Portugal is one of my favorite places I have been to.
I would so love to visit Portugal. I feel you on the holding on to stereotype thing. This is something that will always be a part of the world.
Wow! This was very interesting…who knew charts to track the levels of racism.
Interesting to see how things are in different countries or to experience close minded people when you are more used to open minded individuals.
You’re going to love Portugal. I came here (I think 5 times) before finally deciding to become an expat in Lisbon. It’s a wonderful place to live and visit. If you need any tips for your Portugal trip, just let me know.
It’s so interesting to see how attitudes towards different races, colors, and religions show up in different cities and countries. Some are hardly affected by race, others are subtle, and others are so blunt. I’m thrilled that Lisbon is not in the two later ones. People here are super nice.
It’s hard to let go of old habits, especially when they are embedded in our cultures. My grandma was somewhat racist (a sweet lady – but still racist). When you are raised with parents and grandparents (and a general population) that act this way, it takes thought to get out of those bad patterns.
There are a lot of studies out there. One of our charts is completely un-scientific and just based on personal experience – so it doesn’t represent the real population, just what we have noticed. There are studies and polls out there, but I am always wary – a study of 1,000 people is not enough to give accurate info.
It’s always interesting to me. I am light skinned. Antonio who wrote this piece is Latino with darker skin. I definitely noticed the subtleties once we started dating and I’d see the differences in reactions when I was by myself or with him. I am hopeful that things will change for the better all over the world – and I think that Portugal is setting an excellent example.
My Grandma was not racist. She actually just didn’t like most people. It was a sentiment of the times.
Racism is sadly a big issue in both colonizers and colonial ruled countries. It is great how well you have researched about Portugal 🙂
Racism is a very real and very much alive thing, unfortunately. I don’t know what it’s like in Portugal but I do know that it’s a pretty big deal here in the US.
It is good to see that most people in Portugal are not racist. I hope in the future racism will become obsolete in the world.
It’s interesting to see the information mapped out for you. I think that normally I’m so concerned with the issues within my own country that I don’t think as globally as I should.
It is interesting to know that level of racist issues in different countries. Even here in the Philippines, racism also arise and starts at home. Like you can here Mothers teasing their kids about their skin color, etc., yeah they don’t mean it truly (i guess) but most of them don’t know it has a huge impact to kids, until they grow up.
It absolutely is. I travel tons and I have to say that Portugal (at least from what I have seen so far) is quite progressive. It is not perfect, no country is…but they are headed in the right direction.
Yeah, the US is my home and I am heartbroken at everything that is going on there right now. But I have high hopes that the values of Lady Liberty will win in the long run.
It’s a breath of fresh air. I haven’t explored the more rural areas of the country yet (outside of the Alentejo) but so far, it has been great.
You start to see the differences as you travel. Political and economic climate usually affect how people feel about those who are different from them. It is nice to be able to go to a country where the climate seems to be in a positive upturn 🙂
You are so right. Words matter, and even when they aren’t meant to be malicious, they stay in the subconscious where they can affect who children grow up to be. None of us is perfect, but we can all strive to be better people.
This was such an eye opening post. I have never really thought of other areas and what they believe to be racist or if they even are. SO eye opening!
Racism is a bitter truth which survives everywhere in the world and stereotypes always talk about it. It is great to know that Portugal are not racist.
This was an interesting read. I do not know much about Portugal. It is interesting to see the places that do not seem to have racism or have to deal with it like others places do.
This is an interesting post on racism. The charts are indeed something I didn’t expect but is good to know for those traveling. I find it interesting that the majority of people in Portugal are not racist when they did most of the slave trading. Thanks for sharing the information.
This is an interesting post lots of good information. It is sad that their is still racism in the world. It is important that we take peoples feelings into consideration and treat others the way we would like to be treated.
It’s always refreshing to find places that are more tolerant. There’s always a little racism no matter where you go, but Portugal is definitely on the right path.
It is so refreshing to be in a country where people act civil towards each other. I’m thrilled to be able to spend a little time here in Lisbon.
I’ve been traveling for the past 10 years or so, and as you move from city to city and country to country, you begin to notice little things.
Very interesting article, we have been to Portugal a number of times and are planning to move to Lisbon in a few months. In our last trip, Sept 2017, we had extensive conversations with people about racism. As a mixed race couple, it’s important to us. What we heard was very positive, at least for Portugal. In one conversation, two men (one Angolan, one Portuguese) were completely shocked when we explained DWB. It’s good to see that there is somewhere life can be a little more relaxed because of less racism.
This was great information. However I would like to know your opinion/ info on how Portugal is with the Gay community and Homosexuality in general. My sister and her wife are looking to relocate soon to retire, and Portugal was one country they are really interested in. Does Portugal recognize same-sex marriages? How tolerant is it there?
Also would like to know if you are of Latin descent and speak Spanish fluently, will you be able to get by without knowing Portuguese?
I haven’t been able to find any info like this for her so anything you might have to share would be really appreciated.
Hi Rosa. Not sure about the rest of the country, but Lisbon seems to be pretty ok with the Gay community. Same-sex marriage is legal in Portugal and has been since 2010. I’m sure there are a few people here and there who aren’t forward thinking, but overall Alfacinhos are really lovely people. I’m a native Spanish speaker and I think that makes it harder for me to understand the language. Portuguese people have no trouble understanding Spanish speakers, but the reverse is not true. There are so many more sounds in Portuguese and tons of false friends. I’ve been taking classes twice a week with a great teacher – his name is Nuno – and this has helped tremendously (his Facebook page in case you want it – https://www.facebook.com/Nuno-Pereira-Portuguese-and-English-as-a-Foreign-Language-1335425123239850/). That being said, at least in Lisbon, most people under 40 speak English so getting around is not an issue even if you don’t speak the language. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
I see lots of same sex couples around town. There is a gay community around Principe Real. Same sex married couples are recognized by the country since 2010 so shouldn’t be issue for her. One thing though some Portugese are pretty conservative. So they may get a few stare especially if they kiss in public outside the major cities. But honestly they shouldn’t have a problem 99% of the time.
As for the language I am a spanish speaker so it is easier to learn portuguese then if your a non-latin speaker. One thing that has been giving me problems language wise is Portuguese from Portgual sounds kind of Russian to me. So it take a while for your “ear” to hear is properly. Brazilian Portuguese is way easier.
Yeah you shouldn’t have issues. It’s very common to see mixed race couple here. Remember that Portugal had an empire that spans from Angola, Brazil, India, Cape Verde and Macau. Most people will thing you guys are from one of those countries. I get Cape Verde a lot or Brazilian.
Thanks for the endorsement Blanca 🙂 Feel free to text me on FB. Actually my new profile page is:
https://www.facebook.com/nuno.nuno.1048554
don’t really see Portugal as a racist or an intolerant country. We have evolved much since the colonialism days. But small minds and ignorance can be found anywhere..
“Portugal is the Biggest Racist country that i have ever lived in. I feared for my life there and i consider myself lucky that my family got out alive! I have never lived in such poverty (Sopas dos Pobres everyday) 40% unemployment rate and 60% of the population earn less than $932 USD per month, and that’s considered Middle Class here! Within the European Union it is the worst of the worst place to live.
The bottom line is the bulk of the People in our poor country exist in a brainless comma that is fed by Ignorance, anti-Spanish hate, and severe Racism of pretty much everybody that isn’t Portuguese! And, Portugal started the Global Slave Trade in 1441 so it is definitely NOT a safe place for Blacks!!
I found important websites that explain the Severe multi-generational Racism and Hate that exist in Portugal today, and i highly encourage all to read them and spread the word in order to avoid innocent, and desperate people from living or visiting there. Get educated on the Truths about Racist Portugal now.” Forcadelta5 (2018)
Here are only a few, of the many, online sources available detailing HOW Portugal is a severe racist/xenophobic country, and the steps they take to HIDE this fact from everybody else on earth:
* Links removed *
Pedro I had to have your links removed because a few were of poor sources and all were talking about the past.
I have lived here for many years, have traveled and lived for years in multiple countries and am American. I am also brown skinned. Yes there is racism in Portugal but nowhere near that of USA, UK, and even many Latin american countries. When you keep saying multi-generations you again are talking about the past. One of the articles you linked was talking about Salazar days, others about colonialism. Again you are talking about old Portugal. In the US even till today you have obvious racism between police and the people. The KKK marches constantly to bring American back to some old glory years of segregation. You have open segregation in schools, social economics and business. This is a thing of today vs Portugal which is predominately white European with some (or a lot if you ask people ) people from Brazil and the other colonies. It is a country that is poor but rising. It has some education issues which it’s addressing and there is a growing African population from Mozambique and Angola. Are there racial issues, sure but no where near other countries. And commenting that Portugal is anti-Spanish means you don’t know Portuguese people. Spanish people (I am Afro Latin of decent) are thought of as cousins and mocked but it’s only in jest.
Move the circle of people you are around if you feel racism. I do think it’s more social economics. So if you are around the very poor people with very little education you will feel some bias. If you are in the cities (where most people live) you won’t. And if you don’t believe go to US. Go to Alabama or Mississippi and notice that 1 out of every Black males are incarcerated in Prison. Notice people calling you Mexican which to them is a way of calling you the N-word. And if your brown like me calling you the n-word in your face at least once every few months. Fun right? An equal society? No it’s racism.
Couldn’t help but notice you listed Texas as a country. It kinda started out that way, but changed rapidly. However, you are correct in stating that you can find racism quite easily in this State. Planning on visiting Portugal with family next week.
Very interesting reading!
Tell a Texan that Texas is not a country and you might get shot.
Hi, Im just a Portuguese that stumbled upon your article and would like to thank you for the kind words! All the best 🙂
Thank you for the lovely comment Mariana. I have seen so much good from the Portuguese, particularly in this front. Coming from the US, it is so refreshing. What part of Portugal are you from?
Agree with you Nuno Pereira. Thank-you
So true. Thank you, Antonio Evans.
antonio
i am an american afro / native / european with a french daughter …
and have moved to portugal.
1
are there mixed race social associations and meet-up groups ?
( ex-pat or other )
2
how does a fellow entrepeneur connect with you on a professional level ?
Hey Leon,
To answer your questions–>
Not that I know of but whenever I go to normal expat/digital nomad event and see an african-american I am asked this exact question. So I know this is on the minds of a bunch of people. Why not start one yourself.
Easily, the “professional” me is on LinkedIN but I am going to be putting up a discord server over next few weeks so that clients, colleagues can get a hold of me in real time. I will blog about it soon. Looking forward to connecting.