World Refugee Day: the reception numbers for Portugal
Portugal received this morning 33 refugees from Turkey, in articulation with the European Union and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Our country has welcomed more than 72,000 refugees since the end of 2015, a number that also takes into account spontaneous requests.
• 56,041 citizens displaced from Ukraine requested temporary protection after the conflict began – and until today
• 2,338 persons displaced, many from the conflict in Syria, yet also foreign unaccompanied children and youths from refugee camps in Greece, as well as many people from rescue operations in the Mediterranean, from less visible conflicts
• 1,208 refugees from the voluntary resettlement programme, where the group that arrived in Portugal today is included
• 1,134 Afghan nationals under humanitarian admission.
In total, there are more than 130 nationalities among the people hosted under International and Temporary Protection in the last seven years, who have created and strengthened new communities in our country.
To host and integrate the displaced persons from the war in Ukraine, a special mechanism was set up to authorise the residence permit immediately – the Temporary Protection Permit. This mechanism was extended in March for another six months.
What is a Temporary Protection Permit?
This is a permit issued by the Portuguese authorities to foster swift and decent integration in Portugal. The citizens who benefit from temporary protection are automatically given a taxpayer (NIF), social security (NISS) and National Health Service number (SNS). They can have access to the various services and labour market at once.
To whom is it applicable?
• Ukrainians and foreign citizens of other nationalities or stateless persons who benefit from international protection in Ukraine, who come from the country and cannot return there due to the war
• Foreigners of other nationalities or stateless persons who are in the conditions described above and that prove they are relatives, namely parents, akin, spouses, or common law spouses of the citizens
• Permanent residents in Ukraine, or those who have been given a temporary residence permit
• Persons who benefit from a long-term visa to obtain this type of permit and whose safe and long-lasting return to their country of origin is not possible.
How can one register?
• SEF online platform: to register for temporary protection by Ukrainian displaced citizens, which allows streamlining temporary protection for citizens over 18 years
• In person: due to their vulnerability, requests for temporary protection of underage children must be filed in person at one of the 24 Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF – Borders and Immigration) assistance desks (https://imigrante.sef.pt/deslocacao-sef/) exclusively for assisting Ukrainian displaced citizens.
How long does the permit last?
Temporary protection has an initial term of one year but it can be extended for two six-month periods, as long as the conditions that keep the persons returning to their country are in place.
More information at:
https://PortugalforUkraine.gov.pt