Sikhism in Portugal dates back to the 1990s, where many Sikhs migrated as a result of relaxed immigration policies and labour shortages.

After Portugal joined the European Union in 1986 and Schengen Area in 1995, it became attractive for a large number of immigrants from the Indian subcontinent.

The Sikh migration began in the early 1990s when Portugal was undergoing a construction boom and was in a labour shortage.

[3] Since the 1990s, Sikhs from Punjab, India began to work in the agricultural, tourism and manufacturing sector.

[6] In 2008, Portuguese Police did not arrest a Sikh man for his kirpan despite the blade exceeded the legal limit because they recognised its religious significance.