General integration support

Click on the service below and find information on how to access it and key contacts.

Governmental integration services

High Commission for Migration (ACM): ACM is a public integration institution working with migrants, refugees, and ethnic groups in Portugal.

Visit ACM’s website for more information or contact:

  • Refugee Support Unit (NAIR): NAIR is a department within ACM responsible for the integration of refugees and asylum seekers as well as the coordination of all refugee-related issues at the national level.

 

  • Migrant Support Line (Linha de Apoio ao Migrante) is a hotline managed by ACM, providing information to queries related to rights and services:
    • Call 📞808 257 257 (from landline) OR 📞+351 21 8106191 (from mobile phone).

 

  • National Support Centres for the Integration of Migrants (CNAIM): Public centers managed by ACM, providing direct support to migrants and referring them to other services.
    • CNAIM Norte (North): Av. de França, 316, Loja 57, Edifício Capitólio, 4050-276 Porto
    • CNAIM Lisboa (Lisbon): Rua Álvaro Coutinho, 14, 1150-025 Lisboa
    • CNAIM Beja: Edifício Administrativo do Parque de Feiras e Exposições Manuel de Castro e Brito, Av. Salgueiro Maia, s/n, 7800-552 Beja
    • CNAIM Algarve: Loja de Cidadão, Mercado Municipal, 1.º Piso
      Largo Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro, 8000-151 Faro

If you wish to make an appointment at one of the CNAIMs, contact ACM through:

      • Email 📧 [email protected]
      • Call the Migrant Support Line (LAM)📞  808 257 257  OR 21 810 61 91

18-month support programme

If you are a refugee or an asylum seeker and you came to Portugal through resettlement, relocation, or a humanitarian admission programme, you will receive individual support for 18 months counting from the day of your arrival. This support will be provided by a specific host institution which may be an NGO, a municipality or other institution (private, educational, faith-based, etc). This institution will provide you with housing, pocket-money, and will support you with settling into the community and accessing services such as education, language training, labour market, opening a bank account, etc, during the 18-month programme.

If you have any doubts, need help or information, contact the focal point assigned to you in your host institution. They will be best placed to provide you with information and support.

 

If, for some reason, you are unable or unwilling to contact your host institution for support, you can contact the Refugee Support Unit (NAIR) of the High Commission for Refugees (ACM), an institution that coordinates and monitors the integration of refugees in Portugal:

 

If, at the end of the 18 month support programme, you have been unable to become self sufficient economically, you will be referred to the Social Security Institute that will analyse your case and provide further support whenever necessary and possible.

 

Non-governmental organizations providing support to refugees and asylum seekers

 

 

 

 

 

Related information

<< Back to Help Portugal homepage >> Select another country on our Help homepage