Central level
The mission of the Minister of Internal Affairs is to develop, drive, implement and evaluate a comprehensive and coordinated policy in the field of local government, citizenship and equality, as well as monitoring the interministerial character measures for the implementation of the Government Programme.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for:
- Developing policy and legislation in the field of citizenship and migration;
- Providing oversight and supervision of the High Commission for Migration,
- formulating, driving, implementing and evaluate the border control actions
The Immigration and Borders Service (security service organised vertically under the Ministry) is responsible for implementing the Portuguese policy for immigration and asylum and for awarding and renewal of residence permits in agreement with the provisions of the Constitution and the Law, and the Government's guidelines.
Responsible ministries/bodies
Regional level
The Azores:
- The integration of immigrants;
- The support of the migrant communities;
- The association and dissemination of Portuguese culture and Azorean Diaspora, and
- The reintegration of returning migrants.
Madeira:
- Immigration status of citizens.
Responsible ministries/bodies
Regional Authorities of Azores and Madeira
Local level
The Portuguese Council for Refugees (a NGO) and Central government authorities negotiate with local social services to distribute any received asylum seekers and refugees.
Although local governments have no responsibilities in this area, they can devise and implement migrant integration measures.
Additionally they may help co-ordinate housing and the reception of asylum seekers or refugees.
Responsible ministries/bodies
Municipalities
Sources
Estatuto Político-Administrativo da Região Autónoma da Madeira (Law 130/99 of 29 August).
Estatuto Político-Administrativo da Região Autónoma dos Açores (Law 2/2009 of 12 January).
Decreto-Lei n.º 240/2012 Third amendment to the Decree-Law n. º 252/2000 of 16 October, approving the Immigration and Borders Service's Organic Law
Decree-Law No. 251-A / 2015 of December 17 Organic XXI Government Law
Lei n.o 15/98 de 26 de Março Estabelece um novo regime jurídico-legal em matéria de asilo e de refugiados [Law No. 15/98, March 26, Establishes a new legal system in the area of asylum and refugees],
Portugal Migrant Integration Country Factsheet, European Commission, available at https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/country/portugal (Accessed 09 MAR 16)
For respective Acts, see: https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/index.cfm?action=furl.go&go=/librarydoc/decree-law-no-31/2014-27th-february ; https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/index.cfm?action=furl.go&go=/librarydoc/portugal---new-law-on-the-entry-stay-departure-and-expulsion-of-foreigners-law-29/2012 ; https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/index.cfm?action=furl.go&go=/librarydoc/lei-organica-2/2006-da-nacionalidade
UNHCR, Portugal, available at http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/page?page=49e48dcd6&submit=GO
Refugee Advice at http://www.refugiados.net/cid_virtual_bkup/integra/guia_ig.html
Portugal, European Migration Network, Ad Hoc Query Request, Access to the Labour Market, 2015.
Resettlement, EU, Portugal, “New Developments", available at http://www.resettlement.eu/country/portugal
“Cultural Orientation Leaflet For Resettled Refugees in Portugal", p.13 Portuguese Refugee Council (CPR), available at http://refugiados.net/_novosite/dossier_reinstalacao/GuiaOrientacaoCulturalParaRefugiadosReinstalados_VersaoInglesa.pdf
Portugal, Migrant Integration Policy Index, available at http://www.mipex.eu/portugal
UNHCR, “Universial Periodic Review: Portugal, September 2013, available at http://www.refworld.org/country,,UNHCR,,PRT,,5283497f4,0.html
Minimum Guaranteed Income and Basic Income in Portugal, Basic Income European Network, 2002, available at http://www.basicincome.org/bien/pdf/2002BrutodaCosta.pdf
“Cultural Orientation Leaflet For Resettled Refugees in Portugal", p.12 Portuguese Refugee Council (CPR), available at http://refugiados.net/_novosite/dossier_reinstalacao/GuiaOrientacaoCulturalParaRefugiadosReinstalados_VersaoInglesa.pdf
