Portugal is granting residency status by-default for all applicants until June 30.
Innovative response
All foreign citizens with pending requests for residence permits (requests made up until the declaration of the state of emergency – March 18, 2020) will have their legal status regularized on national territory until June 30 for, namely, obtaining access to the National Health Service or other health care rights, access to social support services, signing of rental contracts, signing of employment contracts, the opening of bank accounts and contracting essential public services.
Specific issues addressed and anticipated impact
The Portuguese Council of Ministers explained that the decision was taken to "reduce the risks for public health" of maintaining the current scheduling of appointments at the immigration office, for both the border agents and the migrants and asylum seekers.
Organisations/institutions involved
Portuguese Council of Ministers
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