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Questions and answers on Ukrainian citizens coming to Portugal, their hosting and integration

Contents

1. Leaving Ukraine
2. Documents – Temporary Protection
3. Employment
4. Housing
5. Social benefits 
6. Health
7. Education and training
8. Learning Portuguese
9. Access to Higher Education
10. Associations representing Ukrainian persons
11. Volunteering
12. Translation

I. Leaving Ukraine

1. Who can travel directly to Portugal?

Portuguese citizens and Portuguese descendants, Ukrainian citizens and their relatives, refugees residing legally in the Ukraine and their relatives, also legal, who hold a biometric passport can travel directly to Portugal.

If you have a valid Portuguese residence permit, you can travel to Portugal even if your passport does not contain biometric data.

• I don’t have a biometric passport. What do I do?

You must request that a Single Trip Document be issued (TVU in Portuguese), corresponding to a “safe conduct”. This document is issued by a Portuguese Embassy in when the urgency is justified.

To request this document, please get in touch with a Portuguese embassy in the country you’re at:

Portuguese Embassy in Warsaw (Poland)

Telephone: +(48 22) 511 10 10/11/12

Telephone (Emergency): +(48) 781 159 430

Portuguese Embassy in Bucharest (Romania)

Telephone: +(40) 21 230 41 18

Telephone (Emergency): +(40) 746 22 44 55

 | sconsular.

Portuguese Embassy in Bratislava (Slovakia)

Telephone: +(421) 220 768 454

Portuguese Embassy in Budapest (Hungary)

Telephone: +(36) 12017616 /7/ 8

Telephone (Emergency): +(36) 306019706

 | sconsular.

• I wish to leave Ukraine to Portugal. What must I do?

The information is permanently updated on the Portuguese Communities Portal, available at: https://portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/servicos/servicos-informativos/ucrania. You can also contact:

Consular Emergency Office

Telephone: +(351) 217 929 714 | +(351) 961 706 472

• I wish to leave Ukraine and need to know which borders are open. Where can I find this?

The information is permanently updated on the Portuguese Communities Portal, available at: https://portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/servicos/servicos-informativos/ucrania. You can also contact:

Consular Emergency Office

Telephone: +(351) 217 929 714 | +(351) 961 706 472

• I have left Ukraine and need transport to Portugal. Who should I contact?

To improve the articulation between the transport, entering national soil and obtaining temporary protection status, please fill out the following:

Portuguese: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SjdowXgeKE0CjRPXKmG3akV20iqRX1XvntmM08BOh50/edit?ts=6222058b

English: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1AZrd_IIuZRIwmnO8wqBNWi1w6f2Crbpy-vTdgSIgUkA/edit?ts=6222057e

Ukrainian: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18k943p-PWVh7eR0kAp-y7HDQiK92rajMxcIDRLQMe74/edit?ts=62220572

You can also fill out the form using the link: https://portugalforukraine.gov.pt/formulario-de-contacto/.

This information will allow people to arrive in a regular and organised manner, as well as ensure the people are hosted on arrival, according to their requirements.

You can find the contacts for the Portuguese Embassies on the Portuguese Communities Portal, available at: https://portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/servicos/servicos-informativos/ucrania. You can also contact:

Consular Emergency Office

Telephone: +(351) 217 929 714 | +(351) 961 706 472

• I am a Portuguese citizen in Ukraine, and I have some queries on my documents. Where can I find this information?

You can refer to the Justice Portal (Institute of Registries and Notary) for companies, Portuguese citizens, and their Ukrainian relatives, where you can find information:

https://justica.gov.pt/Servicos/Medidas-especiais-para-a-Ucrania

Telephone: +(351) 211 950 500

• I have a company in Ukraine, and I wish to relocate to Portugal. What can I do?

You can refer to the Justice Portal (Institute of Registries and Notary) for companies, Portuguese citizens, and their Ukrainian relatives, where you can find information:

https://justica.gov.pt/Servicos/Medidas-especiais-para-a-Ucrania

Telephone: +(351) 211 950 500

II. Documents – Temporary Protection

• What is a temporary protection permit?

This is a residence permit issued by the Portuguese authorities, valid for one year, that allows access to basic services and integration offers, for instance, access to the labour market.

This is an exceptional procedure that ensures immediate protection, approved by the Government, to guarantee support to people who have relocated from Ukraine due to the recent armed conflict in the country.

You may refer to Council of Ministers Resolution 29-A/2022 of 2 March 2022, in its current wording, available at: https://dre.pt/dre/detalhe/resolucao-conselho-ministros/29-a-2022-179802560.

• Who can benefit from temporary protection?

The following can benefit from temporary protection:

• Ukrainian national citizens
• Citizens who receive international protection in Ukraine
• Relatives of Ukrainian national citizens or recipients of international protection in Ukraine (relatives, akin, spouses or common law partners) who cannot return to their country of origin)
• Foreign or stateless citizens with permanent residence in Ukraine, who hold a temporary residence permit or a long-stay visa and who cannot return to their country of origin
• How can I request temporary protection?

The request can be made online on SEFforUkraine.sef.pt, for citizens of age, or in person, on national soil. Underage citizens will have to request it in person on national soil.

1. Where can I request temporary protection in person?

You may make your way to the Borders and Immigration Service (SEF) branches at the three National Support Centres for the Integration of Migrants (CNAIM) in Lisbon, Faro and Porto. You can check the opening hours here: https://www.acm.gov.pt/pt/-/cnai-centro-nacional-de-apoio-ao-imigrante.

CNAIM Lisbon

Address: Rua Álvaro Coutinho, 14, 1150 – 025 Lisboa

CNAIM Algarve

Address: Loja do Cidadão, Mercado Municipal, 1.º Piso, Largo Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro, 8000-151 Faro

CNAIM North

Address: Av. de França, 316, Edifício Capitólio, 4050-276 Porto

You can make your way to the SEF branches indicated below.  

QUADROS DELEGAÇÕES SEF

1. What prove must I provide to request temporary protection?

Any means of proof is accepted, for instance, an identification document.

1. How can I prove I am a relative of a Ukrainian citizen or a citizen who is under international protection in Ukraine?

Any means of proof is accepted, including testimonial.

1. How can I prove I am in danger?

You do not need to prove you are in danger, as this is an objective and generalised situation of violation of human rights and threat to life and physical integrity of Ukrainian citizens and residents.

1. When I request temporary protection, will I be given a residence permit immediately?

Once the request is made, the Borders and Immigration Service (SEF) checks the relevant databases and then shares the applicant’s data with the bodies charged with the automatic issue of a taxpayer, social security, and access to healthcare number.

After this, proof of acceptance is given, and the temporary protection request is validated; the residence permit is issued for one year.

1. What document is issued when I request temporary protection?

You will be given a declaration proving your request for temporary protection. This declaration is valid in access to basic services and integration offers.

1. When will I get my temporary protection residence permit?

Once your biometric data are collected. You will be notified by the Borders and Immigration Service (SEF), preferably via email (indicating the SEF branch you must make your way to), to collect your data and issue the residence permit.

1. How will I receive my residence permit?

Once your biometric data are collected, you will be able to update your personal details (address, email, and telephone number) and pick the means in which the permit is to be delivered. It can be picked up at a Borders and Immigration Service counter (SEF) or delivered to an address indicated by you.

1. Can temporary protection status be denied?

Yes, in situations where there are serious reasons to believe the persons have committed:

• a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against humanity
• serious offence outside Portugal before being admitted onto national soil as a temporary protection recipient
• acts that oppose the goals and principles of the United Nations
• persons on which there are serious reasons to believe they are dangerous to national security or who have been convicted in a court of law for a serious offence, or who are a serious threat to the national community can be denied temporary protection.

For this purpose, SEF – Borders and Immigration Service will consult the Schengen Information System and other relevant databases to check the citizen’s situation. A criminal record is not necessary.

• I requested international protection under the Asylum Law. Can I request temporary protection?

Yes, if your international protection request was made before the start of the war in Ukraine, 24 February 2022.

• What rights do the temporary protection recipients have?

Temporary protection recipients will be automatically given a residence permit, valid for one year, with the possibility of being extended under the law. This permit enables access to:

• Healthcare and the National Health Service, through the automatic issue of a National Health Service Beneficiary Number (NSNS)
• Social support and Social Security, through the automatic issue of a Social Security Number (NISS)
• The labour market and the Tax Authorities, through the automatic issue of a Taxpayer Number (NIF)
• Help in finding a job, entrepreneurship, and training
• Education and the formal school system
• Learning Portuguese
• The Digital Mobile Key, linking an ID to a mobile phone number
• Other integration responses suited to the recipients’ needs
• For how long is the temporary protection residence permit valid?

The residence permit is valid for one year and can be extended for two 6-month periods.

• Do I need to make my way to the services to register with Social Security, the Tax Authorities, and the National Health Service?

No. The Borders and Immigration Service (SEF) informs the services of the temporary protection recipient’s data and they are automatically registered.

• What assistance can I have in the event of economic hardship?

If you are a temporary protection recipient and do not have economic resources, you will have the right to adequate housing and social benefits. Please refer to the sections on Housing and Social Support.

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I have a pet with me. What do I need to do?

You need to get in touch directly with the relevant authorities, identifying the animal and its vaccination status, via the emails:

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You can find more information at: https://www.dgav.pt/destaques/noticias/entrada-em-portugal-de-refugiados-da-ucrania-com-animais-de-companhia/

III. Employment

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I am looking for a job. How can I do this?

You should register at any desk of the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) to register for assistance in job seeking, entrepreneurship, and training.

You may also fill out the form available on: https://portugalforukraine.gov.pt/formulario-de-contacto/ or send an email to .  

• I am an employer and I have job offers. Where can I register?

Please fill out the form available on: https://portugalforukraine.gov.pt/formulario-de-contacto/.

You may also register your offer on:

https://www.iefp.pt/portugal-for-ukraine |

• I am an employer and I want to hire a temporary protection recipient. Can I do so?

Yes. Temporary protection recipients will be given a temporary residence permit that allows them to enter the labour market.

IV. Housing

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I do not have the means to pay for housing. Can I apply for assistance?

Yes. Temporary protection sets that citizens who require may have access to housing benefits. You may refer to the Council of Ministers Resolution 29-A/2022 of 2 March 2022, in its current wording, available at: https://dre.pt/dre/detalhe/resolucao-conselho-ministros/29-a-2022-179802560.

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I do not have the means to pay for housing. How can I ask for assistance?

You must request assistance from the municipality where you are. The list of municipalities and contacts can be found at :http://www.portalautarquico.dgal.gov.pt/ficheiros/?schema=f7664ca7-3a1a-4b25-9f46-2056eef44c33&channel=266f4a32-848e-4d2c-99c6-ad5b5511d7fe&content_id=A29724CF-E0D2-4F23-AAD3-B79D16D2274C&field=storage_image&lang=pt&ver=1&filetype=xlsx&dtestate=2021-11-19192855.

The municipality will inform the High Commission for Migration (ACM) of the need for housing, for access to benefits via the Porta de Entrada (Gateway) programme.

You can fill out the form on: https://portugalforukraine.gov.pt/formulario-de-contacto/.

You may also request assistance from the Hight Commission for Migration (ACM), namely through the National Support Centres for the Integration of Migrants (CNAIM) in Lisbon, Faro, and Porto. You can check the opening hours here: https://www.acm.gov.pt/pt/-/cnai-centro-nacional-de-apoio-ao-imigrante.

CNAIM Lisbon

Address: Rua Álvaro Coutinho, 14, 1150 – 025 Lisboa

CNAIM Algarve

Address: Loja do Cidadão, Mercado Municipal, 1.º Piso, Largo Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro, 8000-151 Faro

CNAIM North

Address: Av. de França, 316, Edifício Capitólio, 4050-276 Porto

You may also contact the High Commission for Migration through:

• Any Local Support Centre for the Integration of Migrants (CLAIM). Find out where they are located here: https://plim.acm.gov.pt/plim/contactos/contactos-rede-claim
• The Migrant Support helpline: +(351) 218 106 191 or 808 257 257, available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 7 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm
• I am a municipality and I have a request for housing assistance from a temporary protection recipient. What should I do?

You should flag it and forward the need for housing assistance to the High Commission for Migration (ACM), using the contacts set up for this purpose, for housing benefits via the Porta de Entrada programme, upon agreement.

• I am a municipality, entity or citizen and I have housing available to host displaced persons. Who should I contact?

You can fill out the form on: https://portugalforukraine.gov.pt/formulario-de-contacto/.

You can also send your offer to .

The High Commission for Migration (ACM), together with the Social Security Institute (ISS), will ensure communication with the municipality, entity or citizen to distribute housing to displaced persons who require it.

V. Social benefits

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I do not have financial means. Can I request benefits?

Yes. Temporary protection sets that citizens who require it can have access to social benefits from the non-contribution scheme. You can refer to Council of Ministers Resolution 29-A/2022 of 2 March, in its current wording, available at: https://dre.pt/dre/detalhe/resolucao-conselho-ministros/29-a-2022-179802560.

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I do not have financial means. How can I request assistance?

You can request assistance at the Social Security Institute (ISS) branches at https://www.seg-social.pt/servicos-de-atendimento.

VI. Health

• I am a temporary protection recipient. Am I entitled to healthcare?

Yes. The Portuguese National Health Service is mostly free, that is, you can have access to any hospital or healthcare centre and pay, at most, a co-payment fee.

• I am a temporary protection recipient. What must I do to have access to healthcare?

With the temporary protection permit you will have automatic access to a National Health Service Number (NSNS).

Once you pick your place of residence, you must make your way to the local Healthcare Centre and register yourself and your family as a resident in the area, so you can be assigned a family doctor and be included in the National Vaccination Plan.

• I am a healthcare unit or professional. What rights do temporary protection recipients enjoy?

Temporary protection grants the automatic assignment of a National Health Service Number (NSNS) and access to all the basic healthcare services, as set in article 7 of Council of Ministers Resolution 29-A/2022, of 2 March 2022, in its current wording, which sets that:

“The Borders and Immigration Service will send the declaration that proves the request for temporary protection to Social Security, the Tax and Customs Authority, and the Ministry of Health Shared Services to automatically issue a social security number, a taxpayer number and a healthcare beneficiary number, respectively.”.

You can view the Resolution at: https://dre.pt/dre/detalhe/resolucao-conselho-ministros/29-a-2022-179802560.

VII. Education and training

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I wish to enrol my children at school. Can I do so?

Yes, all the recipients who are aged 6 to 18 are in compulsory school ages and have the right to education, under the same conditions as Portuguese citizens. The Government has a policy of inclusion of all children in the public education system.

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I wish to enrol my children my school. How can I do so?

Please make your way to the school nearest to your place of residence to start the enrolment process. You can check the school network here: https://www.dgeste.mec.pt/.

• I am a temporary protection recipient and my children don’t speak Portuguese. Can I enrol them at school?

Yes. Each school decides on the measures to support displaced students through close monitoring, ensuring Portuguese language is taught under the Portuguese Non-native Language programme, a gradual integration plan in the different school subjects or other intervention programmes and school integration activities.

• I am an adult temporary protection recipient and I wish to attend the Portuguese school system. What should I do?

You should contact the Qualifica centre or an educational establishment near your place of residence. You can find a Qualifica centre’s location on the Qualifica portal available at: www.qualifica.gov.pt.

You can request support at any Local Support Centre for the Integration of Migrants (CLAIM). Find out where the CLAIM centres are at: https://plim.acm.gov.pt/plim/contactos/contactos-rede-claim.

VIII. Learning Portuguese

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I wish to learn Portuguese. Can I attend classes?

Yes. You can enrol at any desk of the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) to have access to certified training and Portuguese lessons.

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I wish to learn Portuguese. How can I get help in finding Portuguese lessons?

You can contact the High Commission for Migration (ACM):

• Through any Local Support Centre for the Integration of Migrants (CLAIM). Find out where the CLAIM centres are at: https://plim.acm.gov.pt/plim/contactos/contactos-rede-claim.
• Through the Migrant support helpline: +(351) 218 106 191 or 808 257 257, available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 7 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm
• Through an email sent to the Office for Promoting Portuguese Language Learning:

You may also search the offers for learning Portuguese language or other training courses at:

IEFP Institute for Employment and Vocational Training

https://iefponline.iefp.pt/IEFP/pesquisas/search.do?cat=ofertaFormacao

Qualifica Centres Network

https://www.qualifica.gov.pt/#/pesquisaCentros

Training Offer Portal 

https://www.ofertaformativa.gov.pt/#/pesquisa-cursos-alunos

Schools that offer Portuguese language courses

https://www.acm.gov.pt/documents/10181/1480867/Info+PLA+DGEstE+2021+2022+21-09-2021.pdf/26719e4e-20c3-410d-a0e7-8834f6709671

IX. Access to Higher Education

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I wish to continue with higher education. Can I enrol?

As a temporary protection recipient, you may apply for student status under emergency for humanitarian reasons. To apply for this status, simply show proof that you enjoy international protection at a Higher Education institution.

Enrolment is made via a special competition procedure for international students organised by each Higher Education Institution, with rules that have been specifically created to recognise the education path obtained before.

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I wish to continue with higher education. What social benefits am I entitled to?

You may enjoy direct and indirect social action, which includes benefits in paying school fees, accommodation at student residence, access to cafeterias and bars at lower rates and subsistence benefits.

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I wish to continue with higher education. Where must I file my request for a grant?

The request is made online using the username and password obtained at any higher education institution. The deadline to apply for a grant for a school year generally runs until 30 September or up to 20 days following enrolment, when the enrolment is on that day.

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I wish to recognise my vocational qualifications. What must I do?

The requests to recognise vocational qualifications made by temporary protection recipients are considered priority and you are therefore exempt from:

• Legalising documents issued by foreign bodies
• Certifying translations into Portuguese of documents written in a foreign language
• Certifying of authenticating photocopies of original documents
• Fees and payments for enrolment or of another type.

Whenever the issue at stake is access to regulated occupations, you must ask the relevant bodies (professional or sector associations or organisations) for the necessary conditions to exercise your occupation.

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I wish to recognise my academic level from Ukraine. What must I do?

The procedure to recognise academic levels and diplomas given by foreign higher education institutions envisages a case-by-case assessment that allows us to waive the need to hand in diplomas, certificates or other academic documentation by temporary protection recipients regarding:

In some cases, the academic recognition may be waived when certain requirements are met to exercise the occupation freely in Portugal.

Find more information at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/noticia/estudantes-em-situacoes-de-emergencia-humanitaria-nacionais-da-ucrania .

X. Associations representing Ukrainian persons

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I wish to know more about the Ukrainian population in Portugal and immigrant associations. Where can I find this information?

You may contact the High Commission for Migration (ACM), via the Centre for Connecting with Associations, through the email: .

• I am an immigrant association and I would like to share or request information. What must I do?

You must fill out the form available on: https://portugalforukraine.gov.pt/formulario-de-contacto/.

You may also contact the High Commission for Migration (ACM), via the Centre for Connecting with Associations, through the email: .

XI. Volunteering

• I wish to volunteer and support this operation. What must I do?

You must fill out the form available on: https://portugalforukraine.gov.pt/formulario-de-contacto/.

You can inform the High Commission for Migration (ACM) of your availability through the email: .

XII. Translation

• I am a temporary protection recipient and I need help with translating, who can I contact?

You can contact the High Commission for Migration (ACM) Telephone Translation Service:

Working hours: Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 7 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm

Telephone: +(351) 218 106 191 or 808 257 257

More information at: https://www.acm.gov.pt/-/servico-de-traducao-telefonica. 

• I am a citizen, assistance entity or public service and I need help with translating, who can I contact?

You can contact the High Commission for Migration (ACM) Telephone Translation Service:

Working hours: Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 7 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm

Telephone: +(351) 218 106 191 or 808 257 257

More information at: https://www.acm.gov.pt/-/servico-de-traducao-telefonica.