Brazilian renters in Portugal complain of xenophobia in rental housing.

Brazilian immigrants coming to Portugal face xenophobia when looking for housing. Brazilian lawyer Marcia Alcantara, who moved to Portugal in August with her family at the suggestion of her company, recounts her unpleasant experience when choosing a place to live. The landlord of one of the potential living spaces once refused to rent it to Brazilians, claiming they were only making noise and bringing too many people into the house. According to Marcia, it was a gross show of disrespect, especially since nothing was known about her.

Brazilian realtor Amanda Barreto Melo, who works in real estate sales and rentals in Portugal, confirms that she has heard similar situations from property owners. Some of them explicitly refused to rent to Brazilians, claiming to have had negative experiences.

Property owners often cite various reasons why they reject Brazilian tenants, including noise, exceeding the number of people living in the house, lack of a guarantor and no work contract. Some also point to difficulties with financial due diligence and bureaucratic procedures.

Till then, Brazilian realtor Amanda Barreto Melo notes that things have started to change in Lisbon, where she works. Many middle class Brazilians, businessmen and students are coming to Portugal and they are meeting a more positive attitude from property owners.

According to Portuguese government data, some 392,757 Brazilians have registered in Portugal up to October this year, a 36% increase on last year. It is noted that these figures are only preliminary and cannot take into account the number of illegal immigrants.

In case of discrimination or xenophobia, Brazilian immigrants can contact the Portuguese government's Commission for Equality and Countering Racism (CICDR) to file a complaint through the official website or the Migrant Support Hotline.