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

ecognition of school qualifications obtained in the country of origin may constitute an obstacle for
teenagers and college students.
There are no special reception classes for children of refugees.
Mother tongue tuition
The children of refugees are not entitled to mother tongue tuition.
Unaccompanied minors
The Asylum Act does not include any provisions on the situation of unaccompanied minors once
granted refugee status. In some cases, they may be appointed a guardian.
Citizenship
Portuguese citizenship is granted under the conditions laid down in the Nationality Act No. 37/81
of 3 October 1981, modified in 1994. There are no specific provisions for refugees. The main
conditions are as follows:
– to be over 18 years of age or emancipated according to Portuguese law;
– to have resided in Portugal or in a territory under Portuguese administration, with a valid
residence permit, for more than six or ten years, depending on whether the applicant is a
citizen of a Portuguese speaking African country or a citizen of any other country;
– to have sufficient knowledge of Portuguese language;
– to prove an effective integration in the Portuguese society;
– to have sufficient means of subsistence.
It is also possible to obtain Portuguese citizenship by being married for three years with or being
adopted by a Portuguese national.
Repatriation
The Portuguese state does not provide any specific repatriation programme.
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Portugal