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AbstractSituated in the intersection of the literature on QoL and lifestyle migration, this paper contributes to the discussion of three subjective components of QoL after migrating to another country. These are hedonic (happiness), evaluative (life satisfaction) and eudaimonic (having a purposeful or worthwhile life). Based on 36 in‐depth interviews to Swedish citizens permanently living in Portugal, a group understudied in the lifestyle migration framework, three groups of individuals were identified according to the drivers of migration. Following a life‐course approach, the research question exploring in what way has the QoL changed (or not) after migrating to Portugal is responded. Swedes compare different issues premigrating and postmigrating, cutting across the drivers that brought them to Portugal. The findings suggest differences in happiness, life satisfaction and purposefulness differ according to one's relative economic comfort, standards established for oneself moral principles on how to live, and identity making projects. Despite the challenges that remain, the perceived QoL has generally increased after settling in Portugal comparatively to what it was in their home country, especially in the evaluative and eudaimonic components.

The European Union and the United States are areas of immigration, and both are entities of multi-level governance facing the task of managing international migration. However, unlike the United States most European states do not consider immigration as a matter of national interest. In the US a regulated immigration system aims to enhance the benefits and minimise the drawbacks of immigration. The country's bi-partisan immigration policy receives strong support from a wide variety of stakeholders. In Europe the emphasis is on immigration restriction and prevention, reflecting the position of most stakeholders that the costs of immigration outweigh its benefits. Immigration is a sensitive and sometimes controversial issue, as is demonstrated in recent elections in a number of European countries. On both sides of the Atlantic migration ranked high on the agenda throughout the nineties. Changes in the size and direction of migratory movements as a result of global developments, EU enlargement and NAFTA received a great deal of attention. The ways in which migration policies are designed and implemented were reviewed and underwent some important changes. In 1997, the US Commission on Immigration Reform presented its final report to Congress, proposing important changes in US immigration policies and management. In Europe the 1997 Amsterdam Treaty empowered the European Union's institutions to act on migration, changing intergovernmental co-operation among member states into the development of joint policies on immigration and immigrant integration. A new debate emerged on the role of immigration to address economic and demographic imbalances. The events of September 11 did not in themselves have an impact on the foundations of immigration policies' governance structures, or lead to changes in them, other than those already proposed. The events added, however, a range of other issues to the overall policy agenda (issues related to the fight against terrorism became a top priority) and the immigration agenda (where ...

Since the mid‐1980s, Portugal has altered its position in the international migration context. It is no longer exclusively an emigration country but has also become a receiving nation, hosting people from its former African colonies, and more recently from Brazil and Eastern Europe. This has caused significant changes in Portuguese society, which is nowadays socially more diverse and ethnically richer. This paper identifies the most important challenges to citizenship and governance in Portugal, focusing on: (a) the changes in the national laws regulating immigration; (b) the measures adopted by central government to fight discrimination; and (c) the growing social exclusion faced by many immigrants. Among the adopted measures, the new law regulating the entry and permanence of foreigners in Portugal, the establishment of a High Commissioner for Immigration and Ethnic Minorities (ACIME), the growing role of immigrants' associations, and the responsibilities transferred to local authorities are closely analysed. Drawing on analysis of interviews and questionnaires addressed to civil servants working in departments related to immigration as well as on reports published by municipalities in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA), the article also investigates the strategies adopted by local authorities to promote the successful integration of immigrants. The evidence indicates that there is a growing feeling among local authorities that their resources should be oriented to work with the citizens and not just for the citizens. To guarantee future sustainable development, citizens, regardless of their geographical origin, should have a say in the decision‐making processes at a local level. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Migration and the sustainability of the welfare state are irrefutably two essential topics in the political debate throughout Europe. Not only has the dominant pattern within the political discourse been focused on the generosity of benefits attracting migrants as, until recently, researchers tended to concentrate on the supposed "weight" of migration on destination countries. This view contrasts with new perspectives that highlight not only the levels of unawareness regarding benefits or social services in the destination countries as well as transnational practices involving a myriad of formal and informal providers across borders. Drawing on qualitative data gathered through 39 interviews conducted with British migrants in Portugal and Portuguese migrants in the UK, we explore migrants' welfare experiences. Deploying the idea of social protection assemblages, which is the combination of formal and informal elements of protection, the analysis explores the welfare tactics that migrants adopt across transnational space to ensure their social welfare needs are met in the present and future. Local social capital, social networks and the process of welfare learning are key aspects in navigating the welfare system in the destination. Simultaneously, transnational practices are employed to overcome the gaps in formal services, either by piecing two formal social protection systems or informal elements provided by interpersonal networks. We demonstrate the importance of happenstance and "just in case" practices as well as cultural values and other non-economic factors as bearing a deep impact on how migrants 'do' social protection. . ; Les migrations et le développement durable de l'État-providence sont, sans doute, deux thèmes centraux du débat politique dans toute l'Europe. Non seulement le modèle dominant du discours politique a mis l'accent sur la générosité des prestations sociales comme un facteur d'attraction pour les migrants, bien comme jusqu'à récemment, les chercheurs se sont concentrés sur l'analyse du ...

Migration and the sustainability of the welfare state are irrefutably two essential topics in the political debate throughout Europe. Not only has the dominant pattern within the political discourse been focused on the generosity of benefits attracting migrants as, until recently, researchers tended to concentrate on the supposed "weight" of migration on destination countries. This view contrasts with new perspectives that highlight not only the levels of unawareness regarding benefits or social services in the destination countries as well as transnational practices involving a myriad of formal and informal providers across borders. Drawing on qualitative data gathered through 39 interviews conducted with British migrants in Portugal and Portuguese migrants in the UK, we explore migrants' welfare experiences. Deploying the idea of social protection assemblages, which is the combination of formal and informal elements of protection, the analysis explores the welfare tactics that migrants adopt across transnational space to ensure their social welfare needs are met in the present and future. Local social capital, social networks and the process of welfare learning are key aspects in navigating the welfare system in the destination. Simultaneously, transnational practices are employed to overcome the gaps in formal services, either by piecing two formal social protection systems or informal elements provided by interpersonal networks. We demonstrate the importance of happenstance and "just in case" practices as well as cultural values and other non-economic factors as bearing a deep impact on how migrants 'do' social protection.