These privileges pertained to the weighing of goods, loading and unloading at various ports, carrying arms, and ensuring secure transactions with money changers.

[3][4][5][6][7] On January 10, 1430, Isabel of Portugal, daughter of D. João I and Philippa of Lancaster, the only sister in the renowned "illustrious generation," married Philip III, Duke of Burgundy, and Count of Flanders, whose territories already extended to Antwerp.

Isabel (1397–1471), amidst the wealthiest and most refined European court of the time, became a patron of the arts, represented her husband in several diplomatic missions, and exerted influence over her son, Charles the Bold, who succeeded him.

They were also granted the power to impose fines on those who did not comply, thereby acquiring complete civil jurisdiction over the Portuguese community, which governed itself by its own statutes.

In the early 16th century, Antwerp emerged as a prominent shipping hub, frequented by Portuguese vessels laden with valuable spices such as pepper and cinnamon from Asia.

[27][28] During the 16th century, Antwerp's Portuguese trading post played a significant role as a commercial hub, exchanging goods from the Atlantic Islands, Africa, the Orient, and Portugal for metals, artillery, and fabrics from Europe.

[29] In 1510, the Portuguese community obtained the status of "most-favored nation", gaining privileges, especially regarding the jurisdiction of two annually elected consuls, with one sometimes serving as the royal factor.

In 1523, Damião de Góis became the secretary of the Portuguese Trading Post in Antwerp due to his Flemish ancestry, appointed by King John III.

While historical records may not provide precise figures on the exact number of Portuguese Jews in Antwerp during this period, their presence was undoubtedly significant in shaping the city's character and growth.

[35][36][37]Despite the initial success, over the years, the trading post accumulated a significant debt, leading John III of Portugal to close its operations.

During the early 1960s, in fact, Belgium experienced significant economic growth, which resulted in an increasing demand for labor across various sectors such as metallurgy, chemistry, construction, and transportation.

The arrival of Spanish, Portuguese, and Greek immigrants gave rise to distinct neighborhoods within cities, while Moroccans and Turks predominantly settled in major urban centers like Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent.

One notable example of immigration during this era was the influx of Portuguese workers, who faced unique political and social realities in their home country.

Portugal was characterized by a general stagnation in its agrarian, social, and political systems, coupled with the impact of brutal colonial wars in Angola and Mozambique, starting in 1961.

Many Portuguese immigrants left their homeland not only for economic reasons but also due to political motives, although they refrained from seeking asylum.

[43] Belgium hasn't historically been amongst the traditional destinations chosen by Portuguese migrants, especially because of lack of linguistic affinity between the two countries, especially when dealing with the richer region of the Flandres.

Portuguese migrants in Belgium generally tend to settle for shorter periods of a few years, as opposed to permanent migrations prevalent during the 1960s great emigration movements from Portugal towards France.

[59][60] As of today, the Portuguese are part of a wider Portuguese-speaking community in Belgium, comprising around 11,000 people from PALOP countries (the overwhelming majority being from Angola or from Cape Verde), Timor-Leste or Macau[61][62][63][64] and 65,000 Brazilians.

[54] The Portuguese community in Belgium retains strong ties with its homeland and, between 2000 and 2021, it has sent approximately 1.105 billion euros (€) to Portugal in remittances.