Author
Since 29 October 2023, the primary responsibility for the provision of material provisions is assigned to the Ministry in charge of Migration.[1] Nevertheless, the responsibility for the provision of material reception conditions to asylum applicants who pass the admissibility procedure and are in the regular procedure lies with the Ministry of Employment, Solidarity and Social Security.[2] The authorities can cooperate with other public entities and/or private non-profit organisations within the framework of a MoU to ensure the provision of such services.[3]
In the past, the practical framework for the reception of asylum applicants in Portugal stemmed from bilateral MoUs;[4] the resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 103/2020 of 23 November 2020, establishing a single system of reception and integration of applicants for and beneficiaries of international protection; and the internal regulations of the Single Operative Group (SOG) it created.[5] The process of termination of the activity of SEF and ACM led to the suspension of the activity of the SOG,[6] with the exception of the social monitoring subgroup, which continues to meet, but bilaterally.
In practice 4 entities are competent to provide reception conditions to spontaneous applicants, depending on the type and stage of the procedure and/or the profile of the applicant (see Responsibility for reception).
Asylum applicants who lack resources[7] are entitled to support from the moment they apply for asylum[8] until a final decision is reached on their asylum application,[9] without prejudice to the suspensive effect of appeals,[10] and to the provision of material reception conditions beyond final rejection in case of the ongoing need for support on the basis of an individual assessment of the applicant’s social and financial circumstances.[11]
In 2025, while the difficulties documented in 2024 appear to have diminished somewhat, several concerns persisted. As conceded by AIMA, access to services continued to be hampered by difficulties in contacting AIMA outside Lisbon, with registration of asylum applications only accepted in Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra, directly impacting the provision of reception conditions. Cases were also reported of applicants being told they required appointments or being directed to other AIMA offices. Reports of a lack of information, social support and reception solutions following the presentation of an application persisted, including reports of applicants (notably those released from administrative detention facilities) having to resort to the 144 social emergency line due to the absence of reception solutions.
Furthermore, difficulties encountered in accessing AIMA services to obtain information, carry out procedural formalities or renew documentation are particularly concerning given AIMA and ISS’s policies on decentralising reception at any stage of the procedure. For instance, AIMA’s policy encompasses placing applicants in reception centres in Porto, Braga, Macedo de Cavaleiros and Castelo Branco, which then limits their access to information given difficulties to contact AIMA outside Lisbon.
According to AIMA, asylum applicants are mostly accommodated in reception centres and rooms in shared appartements, managed by entities that have signed a MoU with the Agency, as well as in the the youth hostel network. Asylum applicants supported by ISS are mostly provided with private housing (rented flats/houses and rooms) without prejudice to accommodation provided by relatives in Portugal and collective accommodation such as hotels or non-dedicated reception centres e.g., temporary accommodation facilities, shared flats, insertion communities, etc. Applicants supported by SCML are accommodated either in private housing, or in hostels.
The provision of special reception conditions for unaccompanied children during the asylum procedure is managed by ISS, within the framework of the national promotion and protection system.
[1] This includes admissibility procedures (including Dublin procedures); accelerated procedures, border procedures, subsequent applications and applications following a removal decision: Article 61(1) Asylum Act.
[2] Article 61(2) Asylum Act.
[3] Article 61(1) and (2) in fine Asylum Act.
[4] Notably MoUs between the Ministry of Home Affairs / SEF and CPR, between ISS and CPR, and between ISS and Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML).
[5] Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 103/2020 of 23 November 2020, available here.
[6] The last meeting of the extended line-up of the SOG took place on 20 September 2023.
[7] Articles 51(1) and 56(1) Asylum Act.
[8] Articles 51(1), 56(1) and 2(1)(ae) Asylum Act.
[9] Article 60(1) Asylum Act.
[10] Articles 60(1) in fine and 30(1) Asylum Act.
[11] Article 60(2) Asylum Act.