This does not necessarily mean the actual number has gone up as much, as many Brits had let their residency lapse and were forced to register again following concerns about a no-deal Brexit.

Before the 2016 referendum, the Portuguese Foreigners and Border Service (SEF) recorded 19,384 Brits residing in Portugal.

The 2018 numbers are not finalised yet, but the SEF estimates that about 26.500 UK citizens have residency authorisation in Portugal.