Portugal

Mobility of workers and students between Portugal and Spain “is modest” on the European scene

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 22/10/2026, 16:11:24 UTC.

Briefings

A study by Banco de Portugal and Banco de Espanha reveals that worker and student mobility between Portugal and Spain remains modest despite economic integration. Key figures show 0.22% of Spain's population is Portuguese and 0.19% of Portugal's is Spanish, with Portuguese workers preferring EU countries outside the Iberian Peninsula. Student mobility is even lower, with 21% of Portuguese students in Spain and 43% of Spanish students in Portugal. Salaries in Spain are systematically higher, with a 66% gap in industry, yet minimum wage in Spain is 57% of the median compared to 69% in Portugal. Only 30% of employed Spaniards work in Portugal and 3% of Portuguese workers in Spain, highlighting significant barriers.

Key points

• 0.22% of Spain's population is Portuguese and 0.19% of Portugal's is Spanish, indicating low cross-border population presence.
• Portuguese workers prefer EU countries outside the Iberian Peninsula, while student mobility is considerably inferior to EU standards.

Context

The study, presented at a seminar at the Banco de Portugal in Lisbon on October 22, 2026, highlights that despite geographic proximity and cultural affinities, cross-border labor and student flows remain low compared to European averages. This finding underscores persistent structural barriers in the Iberian Peninsula's economic integration.

Limitations

Data covers only 2021-2026 for student mobility and 2015-2026 for minimum wages, with no additional background on migration drivers or future projections.

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