PortugalAsylum / refugee status

Asylum in Portugal

The international protection procedure in Portugal: a foreign national or stateless person who fears persecution or serious harm in their country of origin asks the state for refugee status or subsidiary protection. The application is considered by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), and it can only be made while on Portuguese territory.

Threshold

There is no state fee; reception conditions: accommodation, assistance, healthcare

Processing time

Admissibility within 7 working days; full consideration takes longer

Work

The right to work for applicants and for recognised beneficiaries

Residence

Living in reception centres or in one's own accommodation

Source: aima.gov.pt — international protection: guidance on articles 15.º and 32.º of the Asylum Law

Who can obtain it

Refugee status

A well-founded fear of persecution or of a serious threat of persecution
The fear is based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group
Or the persecution is connected with activity in the country of nationality in favour of democracy, social and national liberation, peace between peoples, freedom and human rights
The applicant is outside the country of origin or of habitual residence
The applicant cannot or will not seek the protection of their own state

Subsidiary protection

The criteria for refugee status are not met, but return is dangerous
A real risk of the death penalty or of execution without trial
A risk of torture or of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
A serious threat to life or physical integrity from indiscriminate violence in an international or internal armed conflict, or from widespread human rights violations

Where protection is claimed

In person at the National Centre for Asylum and Refugees (CNAR) of AIMA, on Rua Álvaro Coutinho in Lisbon
At the police authorities — PSP, GNR or the maritime police — which must pass the claim to CNAR/AIMA within forty-eight hours
At a border post, including at a Portuguese airport
The claim may be made orally or in writing, and must be expressed without delay, clearly and directly

What it costs

Receiving and considering the international protection application	0 EUR
Issuing the residence permit under refugee status or subsidiary protection	0 EUR
Renewing the residence permit under international protection	0 EUR
Translating documents into Portuguese where the applicant has demonstrably no means — paid by AIMA	+0 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Translating documents into Portuguese where the applicant has demonstrably no means — paid by AIMA” adds 0 EUR.	0 EUR

Documents to gather

There is no visa-style document pack here: what matters is everything that evidences the applicant's identity and the grounds for their fear. Documents are handed in when the claim is made, and anything missing can be added later.

Every identity document available: passport, identity card and the like
Travel documents, if they have been kept
The preliminary questionnaire (inquérito preliminar) with personal details and a brief statement of the reasons for the claim; forms are available in several languages, and staff and AIMA telephone interpreting help with filling them in
Biometric data, taken when the application is registered
Evidence supporting the circumstances described: documents, certificates, correspondence, publications
Witnesses — no more than ten
Translation of the documents filed into Portuguese; where lack of means is demonstrated, AIMA provides the translation
An up-to-date full address and contact details (telephone, email), which the applicant must keep current

How the process runs

The administrative procedure has two phases: first AIMA decides whether the application is admissible for consideration on the merits, and only then whether to grant protection or refuse it.

1
Stating the intention to claim protection
on the day of the claim
The wish to claim international protection is expressed without delay — orally or in writing — at CNAR/AIMA, at the police authorities or at a border post. The police must pass the claim to CNAR/AIMA within forty-eight hours.
2
Registering the application and biometrics
on the day of filing
The applicant fills in the preliminary questionnaire, gives biometric data and receives a document confirming that the application has been filed (declaração comprovativa). It is valid for 60 days and is renewed until the admissibility decision; it has to be carried at all times.
3
The interview and comments on the record
3 working days for comments after the interview
The applicant is called to give an account in a language of their choice and in confidence; they may bring a lawyer, but the lawyer's absence does not cancel the interview. After the interview there are 3 working days to send CNAR/AIMA any comments, corrections and further evidence.
4
Decision on the admissibility of the application
30 working days
AIMA decides whether the application is manifestly unfounded, inadmissible or well-founded. For applications made at the border the period is cut to 7 working days, and after an earlier removal decision to 10 working days. A negative decision is appealed to the court within 8 days (4 days in the border procedure and after a removal decision), and the appeal suspends the decision.
5
Temporary residence permit for the second phase
6 months, renewable
If the application is admitted, a temporary residence permit (autorização de residência provisória) is issued for 6 months and renewed successively until the final decision. During this time AIMA examines the case; in especially complex cases the phase lasts longer.
6
Draft decision and final decision
10 working days for objections, then 18 working days
Having examined the case, AIMA prepares a proposal to grant protection or to refuse it. The applicant is notified and has 10 working days to object, after which the final decision is taken within 18 working days and communicated to the applicant.
7
Recognition of status and the residence permit
5 years for a refugee, 3 years for subsidiary protection
Where refugee status is recognised, a residence permit is issued for 5 years and renewed for equal periods. Under subsidiary protection the residence permit is valid for 3 years and is renewed after an analysis of changes in the country of origin. In both cases the beneficiary receives the rights and duties of foreign nationals resident in Portugal.

Who you can bring with you

The Asylum Act separates two mechanisms: an exceptional residence permit for the beneficiary's closest relatives, and ordinary family reunification under the Foreigners Act.

Spouse or de facto union partner

An exceptional residence permit with the same period of validity as the protection beneficiary's, without the requirements laid down by the regime on the entry and stay of foreign nationals

Minor children and children lacking legal capacity, adopted children included

The same exceptional residence permit as the beneficiary's other family members

First-line parents where the beneficiary is a minor, and the adult responsible for an unaccompanied minor

An exceptional residence permit on the same footing as other family members

Other relatives

Family reunification under the general regime on the entry, stay, departure and removal of foreign nationals

The applicant's family while the case is being considered

When arranging accommodation, AIMA takes steps to keep the family together where possible; the applicant has the right to stay with their spouse, children and brothers and sisters under eighteen

Minor children of a protection beneficiary

Full access to the education system on the same terms as Portuguese nationals; enrolling children at school is mandatory

Renewal and the grace period

While the case is being considered, the document confirming that the application was filed is valid for 60 days and is renewed until the admissibility decision; once the case is admitted to the second phase, a temporary residence permit is issued for 6 months and renewed successively until the final decision. A recognised refugee is issued a residence permit for an initial period of 5 years and it is renewed for equal periods, unless imperative reasons of national security or public order stand in the way. A residence permit under subsidiary protection is valid for 3 years and is renewed for periods of the same length after an analysis of changes in the country of origin: if AIMA finds that protection is no longer needed, renewal is refused. The right to protection is not indefinite and may end — for example on a voluntary return to the country of origin, on seeking that country's protection, on acquiring the nationality of another state, or when the circumstances the status was recognised for cease to exist. Protection is also withdrawn where exclusion clauses come to light, where decisive facts have been misrepresented or concealed and forged documents used, where there is a threat to internal security and public order, and after a final conviction for a deliberate ordinary criminal offence punishable by more than three years' imprisonment. Issuing and renewing a residence permit under international protection are free of any fee. A refugee may ask AIMA for a refugee travel document valid for 5 years and tied to the renewal of the residence permit; a beneficiary of subsidiary protection who cannot obtain a national passport is issued a Portuguese passport for foreign nationals through the IRN.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Once recognised — an ordinary residence permit, with permanent residence under the general rules (about 5 years)

Route to citizenship

Citizenship under the general rules: 10 years of lawful residence, 7 years for nationals of the EU and of Portuguese-speaking countries (Lei Orgânica 1/2026, from 19.05.2026); language level A2

Frequently asked questions about Asylum in Portugal

Can asylum be claimed at a Portuguese embassy abroad?

No. International protection can only be claimed from the Portuguese state while on Portuguese territory. An application cannot be made from abroad, including through embassies and consulates.

How long does the admissibility decision take?

AIMA decides whether the application is admitted to the second phase within 30 working days of filing. If the application is made at a border post the period is 7 working days, and if it is made after a decision to remove the person from national territory, 10 working days.

Is there a fee for considering the application and for the residence permit?

No. Receiving and considering an international protection application, and issuing and renewing the residence permit, are free and require no payment of any kind from the applicant.

Can I work while the application is being considered?

Yes. International protection applicants have access to the labour market and to employment and vocational training programmes. The right to work applies only in Portugal. Once a person is in work, economic need is treated as having ended, so support for accommodation and food stops.

Who provides the applicant with accommodation, food and medical care?

Material reception conditions are provided by AIMA through a network of host organisations across mainland Portugal — where economic need is confirmed, that means accommodation, food and medical care. The applicant's financial position is checked, and where means are sufficient they may be required to cover the costs in full or in part. AIMA's support runs until the admissibility decision, after which the Instituto da Segurança Social or the Santa Casa da Misericórdia takes over. Access to the National Health Service continues, including specialist care for pregnant women, children and people with chronic conditions.

What happens if the application is found inadmissible or protection is refused?

Where a decision of inadmissibility or manifest unfoundedness is taken, an applicant who is in the country unlawfully is given 20 working days to leave voluntarily, failing which AIMA starts enforced removal proceedings. The decision can be appealed to the court within 8 days, and within 4 days in the border procedure and after a removal decision; the appeal suspends the decision. Where protection is refused on the merits, the person may stay in the country for a transitional period of no more than 30 days, and the period for judicial appeal is 15 days. Support for voluntary return is available through the International Organization for Migration.

What happens if I was already in another EU country before Portugal?

The application will be accepted in Portugal, but under the Dublin Regulation only one European Union country is required to consider it. After the interview CNAR/AIMA states which state is responsible and gives 3 working days for objections. If another country is responsible, the application is found inadmissible and a transfer is arranged — which takes about 6 months on average. The transfer decision can be appealed within 8 days, and the appeal suspends it.

What rights does recognised protection status give?

The beneficiary receives the rights and duties of foreign nationals resident in Portugal: access to the labour market under the general rules, to the social security system on the same footing as Portuguese nationals, to education for minor children and to integration programmes. A refugee is issued a refugee travel document for 5 years, and a beneficiary of subsidiary protection who cannot obtain a national passport is issued a Portuguese passport for foreign nationals through the IRN. Family members receive an exceptional residence permit with the same period of validity.

Are the asylum rules in Portugal changing at the moment?

Parliament has passed a decree amending the regimes on the reception of foreign nationals and stateless persons, on entry, stay, departure and removal, and on granting asylum. On 7 August 2026 the President of Portugal referred the decree to the Constitutional Court for preventive review of its constitutionality, pointing to the provisions on separating families, on extending periods of administrative detention, and on replacing the suspensive effect of appeals against protection decisions with a devolutive one. Until that procedure is complete, AIMA describes the procedure under the Asylum Act in force — Lei n.º 27/2008.

Who decides the application and how do you contact the authority?

Applications are registered and analysed by the National Centre for Asylum and Refugees (CNAR) within AIMA, and the decision is taken by AIMA's management board on CNAR's proposal. Questions about your own case are sent to CNAR by email, quoting the case number from the document confirming that the application was filed. Any change of address or contact details has to be reported: otherwise the proceedings may be discontinued.

Other ways to move to Portugal

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Portugal.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 16 August 2026.