Asylum and international protection in Portugal

You may request international protection if you left your country of origin or habitual residence because of persecution or serious threats to your rights, against which the authorities there cannot or will not protect you. Refugee status covers persecution for race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a social group, or for activities in favour of democracy, peace and human rights. Subsidiary protection covers a real risk of serious harm such as the death penalty, torture or indiscriminate violence in armed conflict. People who come for work, study or better living conditions are directed to the Foreigners Law routes.

Express the wish for protection without delay, orally or in writing. AIMA recommends applying directly at the CNAR at Rua Álvaro Coutinho 14, 1150-025 Lisbon. You can also apply to any police authority, such as the PSP, GNR or Maritime Police, which must inform CNAR within 48 hours; at airports and other border posts, tell the police immediately. Applications cannot be made from abroad or at Portuguese embassies or consulates.

You fill in a preliminary form, available in several languages with help and telephone interpretation, give biometric data and receive a declaration identifying you as an applicant, valid 60 days and renewable until the admissibility decision. Bring all identity and travel documents and any evidence; you may name up to 10 witnesses. If you cannot pay, AIMA arranges translations.

After an individual interview in your language, with the right to a lawyer, you have three working days to comment. AIMA then decides admissibility within 30 working days (7 working days for border applications, 10 after a removal decision). If admitted, you receive a provisional residence permit valid six months and renewable; AIMA examines the case, you can respond to the proposed decision within 10 working days, and the final decision follows within 18 working days.

Applicants may stay in Portugal pending the admissibility decision and receive free legal advice at every stage from the Portuguese Council for Refugees (CPR), legal aid, an interpreter, access to the National Health Service, access to education and the labour market, and, in economic hardship, social support for accommodation and food. While awaiting a final decision you are not entitled to a Portuguese passport for foreigners or a refugee travel document.

An inadmissible or manifestly unfounded decision can be challenged in court within 8 days (4 days for border applications or after a removal decision), which suspends its effects; otherwise you must leave voluntarily within 20 working days. A refusal after full examination can be challenged in court within 15 days, also with suspensive effect; otherwise a transition period of up to 30 days applies. IOM Lisbon runs the voluntary return programme (iomlisbon@iom.int).

Portugal applies the EU rules that decide which member state examines an application. Since 12 June 2026, the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum has replaced the Dublin III Regulation for this purpose, so an application may be transferred to another member state responsible under those rules.

Recognised refugees receive a residence permit valid five years and renewable; beneficiaries of subsidiary protection receive a three-year renewable permit after a review of the situation in the country of origin. Protection can cease, for example after a voluntary return or if the circumstances that justified it end.