Pius – From Portugal to Germany: The Reality of Life Abroad
Pius shared his migration journey across Europe in an interview, highlighting the challenges and decisions he faced while seeking a better life.
He began his journey in Portugal in 2024, where he and his family eventually became citizens and obtained Portuguese passports. Despite this achievement, money was tight and opportunities were limited. Hoping for better prospects, he briefly relocated to Switzerland for three months before receiving an offer to move to Germany.
“Germany has opportunities, but life here is very expensive. If you don’t have enough support, most of your earnings go straight into childcare and bills,” he explained. His female friend in Germany had encouraged him to move, and so far, he believes it was a good decision.
Adapting to life abroad, Pius learned Portuguese, German, and some French. Still, switching between languages often leaves him confused. “If you’re smart enough to learn German, you can follow your dreams here,” he said.
In Germany, Pius lives with his wife and children. Their daily routine is hectic—dropping the kids at school, rushing to work, and managing household responsibilities, leaving little time for social life. “In Portugal, even though money was small, family life was better. We could go to the beach together. In Germany, it’s just work, work, work,” he added.
He also noted differences in support systems across Europe. Migrants seeking asylum sometimes receive more benefits than EU passport holders, which makes settling in as a documented migrant less favorable in comparison.
Looking ahead, Pius is weighing his options. “I’m considering Canada, but I don’t want to struggle with documentation. If the U.S. offers visa sponsorship, I’d go. Otherwise, if my German improves, I may move back to Switzerland,” he said.
Pius concluded with advice for others: “Some people get depressed after giving birth abroad, and in Germany, many rely on marriage for residency. If you want to start afresh, it might even be better to secure documents in Portugal or Spain before moving further.”
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