legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...

Statistics
The resident permit is extended to the spouse, minor children and dependent children under 21,
of one or both spouses. Reunification can also be granted with fostered/adopted children
provided that the child has been legally adopted by both spouses. In addition, the law of the
country of origin must give adopted children the same rights and obligations as to natural
children. Finally, the decision of adoption must be recognised by the Portuguese authorities.
Reunification with minor siblings is only possible if they are in the legal custody of the person
residing in Portugal.
The holder of the residence permit can submit the application for family reunification at the Aliens
and Border Service. This can also be made by the relatives abroad at a Portuguese diplomatic or
consular missions.
Family members arriving for family reunification without entry clearance should present
themselves as soon as possible to the Aliens and Border Service, apply for a residence permit
and inform the authorities about their relative living in Portugal.
Family members reunited with a holder of a residence permit in Portugal are given the same
residence permit.
Holders of other statuses must prove that they can provide proper lodging and sufficient means of
subsistence to support the needs of their family members.
Number of asylum seekers
No. of asylum applications submitted in Portugal
Singles Families Total No. of cases
1993 1,659 431 2,090
1994 614 153 767
1995 332 125 457
1996 216 54 270
1997 251 47 298
1998 338 27 365
1999 235 36 307
Number of statuses granted
No. of statuses granted in Portugal*
Refugee statuses Residence permits
246
Portugal
for humanitarian reasons
Total
1993 40 -- 40
1994 8 38 46
1995 12 30 42
1996 5 23 28
1997 4 12 16
1998 4 28 32
1999 16 50 66
* these figures do not include the temporary protection granted to Guineans in 1998 and to
Kosovo Albanians in 1999.