This year, Portugal continues to shelter Ukrainian refugees and provide them with the necessary assistance. Find out more about how Ukrainians can apply for temporary protection and receive assistance in Portugal in 2024 and the current entry rules

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In 2024, Portugal will actively accept refugees from Ukraine and provide them with social support. According to the available data, more than 60,000 Ukrainians found refuge in this country, most of them in such municipalities as Lisbon, Cascais, Porto, Sintra and Albufeira. Given that the temporary residence permit in Portugal was extended until the end of 2024, moving here remains relevant for Ukrainians.

How to apply for protection and what assistance can be obtained in Portugal in 2024? The main rules are further.

Rules of entry to Portugal for citizens of Ukraine in 2024

As of April 2024, the arrival of Ukrainians in need of temporary protection to Portugal is permitted with identity documents.

Citizens of Ukraine do not need a visa to enter Portugal (if they have a valid biometric passport). You can stay in Portugal "Visa-free" for 90 days within 180 days.

For a longer stay in Portugal and receiving social assistance, it is necessary to obtain temporary protection status. Ukrainians receive the right to reside in Portugal for 1 year (which can later be extended for another 6 months, in accordance with the decision of the Government of Portugal).

Portuguese competent authorities do not recommend Ukrainians to apply for refugee status, as it involves significant restrictions.

Entering Portugal with pets

Ukrainians can enter Portugal with pets:

- Arrival by air transport is regulated by the rules of the airline that operates the flight, as well as the relevant regulations that are distributed on the territory of the EU. Details at the link.

- When entering by land transport, the presence of a veterinary and sanitary passport for transporting an animal is not mandatory. If you do not have the documents issued for the animal, contact the veterinary service at your place of residence/stay. Many veterinary centers have taken the initiative to provide services free of charge.

Where can a Ukrainian get help in Portugal in 2024?

Assistance with temporary accommodation, informational support and provision of basic necessities is provided by Ukrainian Support Centers, which were established by city halls in various regions of Portugal and Ukrainian public organizations:

● Lisbon - VSI TUT – TODOS AQUI Assistance Center, which operates under the Lisbon City Hall

- Address: Rua Dom Luís I, nº 10

- Phone: (+351) 218 174 888 / (+351) 218 173 663

- Working hours: 9:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00

- [email protected]

● Cascais – SOS Ucrânia, [email protected]

● Porto Assistance Center/CNAIM do Norte

● Faro Help Center - Algarve/CNAIM Algarve

● Help center of Fr. Madeira/CLAIM Madeira

● Assistance center of Ponta Delgada (Azores)/CRESAÇOR

● Assistance in the Azores

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Who can apply for temporary protection in Portugal?

Portugal provides temporary protection:

- Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine after February 24, 2022.

- Citizens of Ukraine who were on the territory of Portugal until February 24, 2022 and now cannot return home.

- Citizens of third countries and stateless persons who legally resided in Ukraine on the basis of a valid permit and cannot return to their country.

How to apply for temporary protection in Portugal in 2024?

To receive social assistance in Portugal, a Ukrainian must:

Step 1 – Apply to the newly established Integration, Migration and Asylum Agency (AIMA) to grant them the status of a person in need of temporary protection.

Stage 2 – After issuing a social insurance number (NISS), Ukrainians have the right to apply to the Social Service (Segurança Social) with a request to receive social assistance, the payment procedure is determined individually in each case.

Along with the residence permit, asylum seekers are provided with:

- Tax identification number.

- Social insurance identification number.

- User number of the National Health Service.

When can temporary protection be refused?

A Ukrainian may be refused temporary protection if:

- the applicant will not pass a criminal record check,

- a foreigner may pose a threat to Portugal's national security.

Social support for Ukrainians in Portugal

● Financial support in Portugal

Receipt of one-time social assistance immediately after arrival in Portugal or certain daily payments is not foreseen.

Ukrainians with temporary protection can receive social assistance in the country, which is called "Social Integration Income (RSI)". Its amount is less than 200 euros per month for adults and 100 euros per child. However, these benefits are only available to those who have no other sources of income.

● Housing for Ukrainians in Portugal

The status of temporary protection involves the provision of housing to citizens in need of assistance. Currently, in Portugal, the priority is to settle people who do not have the means to live independently.

Financial assistance from the Portuguese government for renting an apartment is not provided, these issues are resolved at the level of local authorities, in most cases, local councils can provide assistance for temporary accommodation of Ukrainians, the search for a place for further residence should be carried out independently.

The cost of renting a house depends on the area, city, district. For example, a one-room apartment in a big city can cost 1,150 euros per month. Housing rental prices will be lower in the suburbs. Utility bills in Portugal are considered quite inexpensive: between 80-140 euros per month.

● Medical care in Portugal

After registering with the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) and receiving a Certificate of Temporary Protection with a Portuguese medical number (NUS, numero de utente), Ukrainians can consult a doctor at the state polyclinic (Centro de Saude) or state hospitals for place of residence/residence. The list of institutions is at the link.

Refugees receive medical care on the same terms as citizens/residents of Portugal (a small fee may be required for some services).

The conditions for receiving services in private medical institutions should be specified directly in the institution or with your insurance company.

In case of need to receive urgent medical care before obtaining a Portuguese medical number, Ukrainians can apply to any hospital at their place of residence/stay, however, in this case, it may be necessary to make a full payment for the medical consultation at their own expense or at the expense of the medical insurance policy.

● Work for Ukrainians in Portugal

In order to find a job, receive assistance in starting a business, and study, a Ukrainian must register at the Instituto de Emprego e Formação Profissional (IEFP) branch.

In the country, there is a need for unskilled workers who will be employed in the service sector, metallurgy, in the textile and furniture industry, as well as in agriculture and construction.

● Education for Ukrainian children in Portugal

   Children under the age of 18 have the right to compulsory education under the same conditions as citizens of the country.

When entering a higher education institution, Ukrainians with temporary protection can use the Special Statute of International Students, and will also receive additional benefits - access to social grants, equal opportunities with Portuguese students regarding payment of tuition and fees.

● Assistance for the elderly from Ukraine

For the elderly, support is provided under the program Programa de Apoio Integrado a Idosos. The main goal of which is to help the elderly stay at home as long as possible and not need care from adult children or outsiders.

Pensioners in Portugal can visit the support center, training programs. Medical and spa services are available to them.

● Help for people with special needs

People with disabilities in Portugal are provided with means for rehabilitation and continuous medical care. Patients with diabetes and others receive medicine free of charge.

There is no separate financial assistance for this category of citizens.

Why are Ukrainians leaving Portugal?

The maximum peak of departure of Ukrainians from Portugal was observed in the summer of 2023. According to available information, more than 4,000 people left the country. Women with children return to Ukraine or go to other EU countries due to certain difficulties in Portugal - lack of housing, high rent and problems with employment.

Useful contacts for Ukrainians in Portugal

- Page of the Embassy of Ukraine in Lisbon

- Page of the Consulate of Ukraine in Porto

- Government website on assistance to Ukrainians (in Portuguese)

- Ministry of Justice of Portugal

- Social service – issues of social protection and receiving social assistance (in English).

When planning a trip abroad, it is important to have a reliable health insurance policy, because it can guarantee you high-quality medical care outside of Ukraine. Read why Ukrainians in Europe need to take out health insurance here. Take out a reliable policy from a verified insurance agent on the Visit Ukraine portal.

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