"Preliminary data prompts me to say that in 2019, for the first time in our history, the barrier of half a million foreign citizens residing in Portugal has been overcome," Eduardo Cabrita said during the second stage of the debate on the draft state budget for 2020.

According to the minister, 580,000 foreign citizens were living in Portugal at the end of last year, up from 490,000 at the end of 2018.

The minister also stressed that the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) last year issued 135,000 new residence permits, up from 35,000 in 2015.

Portugal has traditionally been a country of emigration rather than one of immigration, but its membership of the European Union makes it attractive as a place to live for the nationals of some foreign countries, and a stronger economy has also helped attract more new arrivals in recent years.

The Socialist government has been clear about Portugal's need to attract immigrants, given the country's relatively low birth-rate and ageing population.