Author
The Asylum Act and the general regulation governing the placement of foreign and stateless persons in CIT and EECIT[1] provide for the right of detainees to receive visits from legal representatives, embassy representatives, relatives, as well as national and international human rights organisations.[2]
In accordance with the law, UNHCR and CPR have the right to be informed of all asylum claims presented in Portugal and to personally contact asylum applicants irrespective of the place of application in order to provide information on the asylum procedure, as well as regarding their intervention throughout the process.[3]
In the particular case of legal assistance, asylum applicants in detention are entitled to receive visits from lawyers, UNHCR, and CPR.[4] Access restrictions can only be based on grounds of security, public order or operational reasons and only to the extent that they do not limit access in a significant or absolute manner.[5]
CPR’s legal officers visit EECIT Lisbon on a regular basis to provide free legal information and assistance within the context of the asylum procedure to asylum applicants detained in the facility (see: Border Procedure: Legal Assistance).
Despite the fact that CPR generally has full access to asylum applicants detained at the border, some difficulties have been observed regarding access to persons detained at the transit area of Lisbon airport mostly due to the lack of PSP personnel to escort applicants/legal officers. Until late in 2025, no access was granted to legal officers and it remained unclear how to gain access.[6]
IOM began its presence in EECIT Lisbon and EECIT Porto in March 2024, and has weekly presence at the facilities. Based on specific needs, IOM visits EECIT Faro. In 2024, IOM shared information materials and delivers information sessions to detainees, including asylum applicants, on the nature and circumstances of detention, rights and duties, and practical aspects of daily life in the EECITs. IOM also conducts satisfaction surveys aimed at assessing detainees’ perceptions of the conditions of detention for the purpose of monitoring and advocating for improved conditions and protection.
According to PSP’s leaflet, detainees in EECITs are entitled to visits from direct family members, lawyers, diplomatic or consular representatives, and national or international human rights organisations.
In the case of CIT-UHSA, the law provides for an MoU with the IOM and JRS,[7] that are responsible for training staff and providing social, psychological, and legal assistance to detainees.
According to CPR’s experience regarding asylum applicants who have applied from detention at CIT-UHSA, JRS has staff in the detention facility that provide in-house assistance. Medical and psychological assistance is provided by volunteer organisations such as MdM. Furthermore, IOM has a weekly presence at the facility and shares information materials (namely on the rights and duties of detainees, regular migration, removal and detention), organises information sessions to detainees, including asylum applicants, provides individual support to detainees who remained for extended periods, and conducts satisfaction surveys.
Asylum applicants detained in CIT-UHSA benefit from legal assistance provided by CPR in cooperation with JRS staff present in the facility.
According to PSP’s leaflet, detainees in UHSA are entitled to visits from lawyers, consular representatives, human rights organisations, and family members or friends.
[1] Regulamento Regime geral sobre o acolhimento de estrangeiros e apátridas em Centros de Instalação Temporária (CIT) e Espaços Equiparados a Centros de Instalação Temporária (EECIT), 31 July 2020, available here.
[2] Article 35-B(3) Asylum Act.
[3] Article 13(3) Asylum Act.
[4] Article 49(6) Asylum Act.
[5] Article 35-B(4) Asylum Act.
[6] Practice-based observation by CPR, January 2026.
[7] Article 3 Decree-Law 44/2006.