EERNEP
Experiences and expectations of return of new Portuguese emigrants: reintegration and mobilities

Period
October 1, 2018 to March 31, 2022
Duration
42 months
Abstract

From 2005 onwards, Portugal registered an intensification of emigration flows that produced important demographic, social and economic impacts in the country. With the easing of the crisis, the return to growth and new crises in the EU (Brexit, anti-immigrant movements in several countries, etc.), there is the expectation of returns movements to Portugal. These returns may contribute to the demographic and economic development of the country, due to investments that can be made and, also, due to the transfer of knowledge accumulated during migrants' residence abroad. This study aims to study the return of Portuguese emigrants, with a focus on some of the main destination countries in recent years, such as the United Kingdom, France and Luxembourg, in order to be able to take into consideration the influence of contextual differences on the decision-making process and on the effective experience of return. Complementing the project REMIGR [2014- 2016], the study will focus on the expectations and experiences of return of migrants, the role of host society integration for the decision/predisposition to return, the development of different forms of mobility between countries of origin and destination and the potential of migrants (effective or potential returnees) for the promotion of regional development in the areas of origin of emigrants, issues which have received little attention in the analysis of Portuguese emigration, despite emigration has always been accompanied by some return flows. In general terms the project studies Portuguese emigrants and returned emigrants, regardless of level of qualification, seeking to answer the following questions: a) which factors influence migrants return intentions and decisions? b) how the increasing forms of circulation allow to implement and/or delay the return projects and contribute to support the development of transnational practices between the country of destination and of origin? c) what is the potential for the mobilization of skills, experiences and resources of these migrants to regional capacity building and to the elaboration of strategies for innovation and regional development?

Outcomes

Website; Publications; International Conference

Partners

This Project is coordinated by Instituto Politécnico de Leiria; its PI is José Carlos Laranjo Marques.

Researchers
Filipa Pinho
José Carlos Marques
Pedro Góis (coord)
Keywords
emigrants' return, mobilities, reintegration, development
Funding Entity
Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology