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

SOCIAL CONDITIONS FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS
Introduction/legal basis
Pursuant to Section 50 of the Asylum Act, social support is granted by the state to asylum
seekers in economic and social need and to their family members. However, this provision has
not been implemented yet.
In practice, the Portuguese authorities do not provide any social support during the admissibility
phase, with the exception of some financial support for a reception centre run by the Portuguese
Refugee Council (PRC) under the framework of a co-operation agreement with this organisation.
Accommodation
The Act No. 34/94 of 14 September 1994 provided for temporary reception centres for aliens,
including asylum seekers. However, the law has not yet been implemented since the necessary
decree law has still not been passed. As a result, these reception centres do not exist and there
is no accommodation provided by the authorities to asylum seekers.
The only existing reception facility is the PRC’s centre, located in Bobadela, with a capacity of 21
beds. Accommodation in the centre is provided to needy asylum seekers for a maximum period of
30 days following the submission of their application. In some cases, this may, be extended for
another 30 days.
After this, applicants must find accommodation by themselves. Most stay in hostels.
Financial assistance
Asylum seekers are not entitled to any financial support from the state during the admissibility
phase.
Through a co-operation agreement with the PRC, UNHCR provides for emergency social support
for the initial five days following the asylum seekers’ arrival in Portugal.
After this period and until the decision on the asylum claim is made, the PRC provides emergency
social assistance, which includes shelter and accommodation facilities, provision of clothes,
medical care, transportation facilities (bus tickets), food (breakfast at the reception centre) and a
weekly amount of PTE 4,500 [EUR 22.5] to buy their own food for lunch and dinner.
In principle, PRC’s assistance is granted only until a first instance decision is made. In some
cases, exceptional assistance may be granted to destitute applicants during the appeal
procedure.
Some vulnerable cases, such as unaccompanied women or those with children who are minors
and disabled persons, are supported by the Emergency Social Service of the humanitarian and
social organisation, Santa Casa da Misericórdia.
Once an asylum seeker has been admitted, he/she is issued with a provisional residence permit,
which enables him/her to benefit from a specific social assistance under the Portuguese social
security system. With some few exceptions, this social assistance is limited to a period of four
months. The amount paid is PTE 28,000 [EUR 140].
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Portugal