In an assessment of the temporary protections granted to Ukrainians and foreigners who fled Ukraine, the Foreigners and Border Service indicates that 56,528 people currently hold this title in Portugal, 33,949 of which are women and 22,579 are men.
In early May, SEF told Lusa that around 2,000 Ukrainians had requested the cancellation of their requests for temporary protection. At the time, they totalled 58,191 and with the numbers presented today, there are 1,663 less titles granted, increasing to 56,528.
In addition to requests for the cancellation of titles, there are also Ukrainians who are not renewing the temporary protections, which initially lasted for one year and have since expired.
In May, the president of the Association of Ukrainians in Portugal, Pavlo Sadokha, said that many Ukrainians, especially women and children, unable to "be away from their family", have returned to Ukraine because "they have more confidence", and there are still other cases that are to leave Portugal due to difficulties in finding housing, due to the high rental costs, or prefer to go to other countries, such as Germany and Switzerland, in search of "better living conditions".
According to that security service, Lisbon continues to be the municipality with the most temporary protections granted, 11,096, followed by Cascais, with 3,845, Porto, with 2,683, Sintra, with 1,952, and Albufeira, with 1,465.
Regarding minors, SEF adds that 14,249 temporary protections were accounted for out of a total of 56,528.
Regarding: "there are also Ukrainians who are not renewing the temporary protections, which initially lasted for one year and have since expired."
There is absolutely no way to renew temporary protection. According to the law it was automatically prolongated for 6 months, but all Ukrainians are still with old paper from SEF, which is expired in most cases. SEF doesn't release updated paper and has no option to prolong it as of now.
In addition to that, people who are eligible to obtain residency (ARTICLE 90 – RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED ACTIVITY) also cannot apply, because there are no open slots in SEF since November 2022.
By Iegor from Lisbon on 06 Jun 2023, 11:36
It is not just Ukrainian human beings that are slowly but surely, taking note of what Portugal as a collective really represents. The reality, as in totally the opposite to what the pretty pictures and videos being bantered all around the world nowadays, show of my country, begins to sink in. I have invested most of my life (59) and invested not only money but also, heart & soul and I am in the process of leaving. They will not understand until the blind man sees.
By Miguel Diogo from Lisbon on 06 Jun 2023, 11:38