Portuguese Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

Portugal lies on the western edge of Europe, facing the Atlantic, and includes the islands of Madeira and the Azores. It has a long history of exploration and trade. Portuguese people in Birmingham include workers, professionals, students and families, many of whom have arrived since the 2000s.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 2,094 people living in the city had been born in Portugal, Madeira or the Azores; and 2,803 residents gave Portuguese as their main language. Main language figures leave out the many bilingual residents who use English day to day, so the number who speak the language at home is higher still. The Portuguese language figure also includes speakers from Brazil, Angola, Mozambique and other countries.

Working for Birmingham

Portuguese residents work in hospitality, food production, logistics, manufacturing, care and construction, and Portuguese nurses, engineers and teachers contribute across the city. Portuguese cafes and bakeries have opened in Birmingham, adding to its food scene.

Much of the work that keeps Birmingham moving happens out of sight: the night shift on a hospital ward, the early start on a building site, the plumber who fixes a boiler on a winter evening, the teaching assistant who helps a child learn to read. People from every community in the city do these jobs, and Portuguese residents are part of that everyday effort to make Birmingham a better place to live.

Culture and community life

Pasteis de nata, custard tarts, have become favourites far beyond the Portuguese community. Fado, the soulful music of Lisbon, is recognised by UNESCO, and football is a national passion. Christmas, Easter and the feast days of the saints are celebrated with family and food.

Birmingham's strength lies in its variety, and the Portuguese community is a welcome part of it. As the city continues to grow and change, that contribution will remain part of the story of a place that has always looked forward.