Pull forces in Colombia for Portuguese migrants: a qualitative study of Portuguese migrants and expatriates in Colombia

Migration is a topic of extreme importance today and an intrinsic part of the culture of many societies, particularly those with international/colonial ties. While there are migratory paths that cross the entire world, the present study focuses on the journey from Portugal to Colombia. We seek to study the pull forces in Colombia that motivate the migration of Portuguese citizens, starting by analyzing the migratory course between the two countries in order to gauge the motivations and challenges for this path. A qualitative method of data analysis was used, using interviews with Portuguese migrants in Colombia and other secondary materials. The results suggest that the main motivations for the exit of Portuguese from their country relate to the lack of opportunities and low quality of life, mainly at the financial level. However, one might conclude that the great pull factors in Colombia are precisely the growing volume of opportunities for professional development and entrepreneurs, the economic benefits, and Colombia’s environment and culture.