Glossary

asilo

Published 30 October 2026, 20:39
asilo (asylum)

The status granted to someone who is persecuted in their home country because of race, religion, nationality, opinions or membership of a particular group. Together with subsidiary protection (proteção subsidiária), it makes up international protection: you apply to AIMA with a single application, and which of the two statuses you receive is decided after the case has been examined. The procedure is set out in law 27/2008; since 11 September 2026 it has applied as amended by law 62/2026.

Where you come across it. An application for protection at the border or inside the country, an AIMA decision on whether the application is admissible, a refusal on the merits.
An application made before 11 September 2026 is completed under the old rules, as article 10 of the new law requires. There is one exception: the effect of an appeal to the courts is determined under the new rules, even in old cases.
Official website: aima.gov.pt