Portugal

A skills profiling tool that can support skills mapping initiatives. This project aimed at facilitating better integration of Syrian refugees resettled to the UK, Germany, Portugal, and Romania. The project involved pre-departure skill profiling, post-arrival integration support and information sharing with host communities to support mutual learning and exchange.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Portuguese Government has decided that all immigrants with residence permit applications that were pending at the Aliens and Borders Office (SEF) on 18th March will receive permission for temporary residence and have access to the same rights as all other citizens, including social support. The measure also includes asylum seekers. 

This measure will remain in force until at least July 2020.

The Portuguese Constitution establishes that all persons, including foreigners, have the right to comprehensive healthcare. All existing healthcare resources must be made available to the exact of each person´s needs, regardless of their economic, social or migration status.

The Council for Migrations is the body for consultation, support and participation in the definition of broad lines of action of the ACM, I.P., and in decision-making of the governing council, ensuring the participation and collaboration of public and private entities in the definition and implementation of migration policies.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Portugal granted temporary residence status to more than 350 000 migrants, providing them full access to health care and social support. During this time, Portugal also granted universal access to COVID-19 vaccinations, vaccinating 600 000 migrants, including people without documentation.

In the framework of the EUROMED Migration V project, trainings to sensitise journalists and media professionals about the benefits of promoting a balanced narrative on migration are organised. Public Communicatorsí Workshops are developed to highlight the central role of public communicators in informing the public debate on migration, and in shaping people's perceptions of migration.

the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) has officially signed a mobility agreement that will permit the granting of visas and residence permits as well as the movement of its citizens within the Communityís member countries.
The Agreement aims at facilitating the entry and stay of citizens from a CPLP Member State in the territory of another Member State through the following immigration titles: (i) CPLP short-term visa; (ii) CPLP temporary stay visa; (iii) CPLP residence visa; and (iv) CPLP residence permit.

This action was submitted through the GFMD Mayors Mechanism Call to Local Action for Migrants and Refugees.

Making migration and mobility positive forces for development
1. Bring together representatives of diaspora communities and governments of countries of origin and destination for round-table debates on sharing best practices and on recognising the role and needs of diaspora communities in development and investment in countries of origin as well as in integration in the host societies.

The  High Commission for Migration (ACM) created the Telephone Translation Service (STT) to overcome the language barrier, one of the great difficulties experienced by immigrants in their relationship with the services in Portugal.

The STT offers a database of 60 translators/interpreters that fluently speak, besides Portuguese, one or more languages, and is aimed at Portuguese speakers / foreigners who need to communicate with foreigners and Portuguese citizens / entities.