Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
[PT180] Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA)(Portugal)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
DPEE - Planning, Studies and Statistics Department
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, I.P. (AIMA), Avenida António Augusto Aguiar, 20, 1069 - 119 Lisboa, PORTUGAL
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
31 March 2026
2.2. Metadata last posted
31 March 2026
2.3. Metadata last update
31 March 2026
3.1. Data description
Data collection on asylum statistics contains statistical information based on the Article 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 on Community statistics on migration and international protection.
Asylum applications:
Asylum, first time and subsequent applicants by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Persons subject of asylum applications pending at the end of month by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Asylum applications withdrawn by citizenship, age, sex and type of withdrawal (also for unaccompanied minors);
Asylum applicants having had their applications processed under the accelerated procedure by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Applicants having benefited from material reception conditions at the end of the reference year;
Asylum applicants considered to be unaccompanied minors by citizenship, age and sex.
Decisions on asylum applications:
First instance decisions on applications by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision (also for unaccompanied minors);
Decisions withdrawing status granted at first instance decision by citizenship, type of decision and type of reason (also for unaccompanied minors);
Final decisions in appeal or review on applications by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision (also for unaccompanied minors);
Decisions withdrawing status granted as final decision in appeal or review by citizenship, type of decision and type of reason (also for unaccompanied minors).
Resettled persons:
Resettled persons by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and country of previous residence;
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision;
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and resettlement framework.
In March 2022, the European Commission activated the Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC for people from Ukraine seeking refuge.
Temporary protection:
Decisions granting temporary protection by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Beneficiaries of temporary protection at the end of the month by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors).
3.2. Classification system
Same as Eurostat.
Authorisation to stay for humanitarian reasons is not applicable as a decision on asylum protection.
See table 3.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Migration and asylum – Asylum statistics.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Same definitions as Eurostat.
Authorisation to stay for humanitarian reasons is not applicable as a decision on asylum protection.
See table 3.4. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
3.5. Statistical unit
Persons.
3.6. Statistical population
Foreigners and stateless persons.
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
3.7. Reference area
Portugal.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Time coverage according to Regulation (EC) No 862/2007, from January 2008, eventually January 2021.
Data on withdrawn final decisions are not available for 2010.
See table 3.8. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Number of persons.
Calendar month, calendar quarter and calendar year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The compilation of asylum statistics is based on Articles 4.1-4.3 of Regulation (EC) 862/2007 of 11 July 2007 which depicts in detail the data provisions Member States are bound to supply Eurostat with.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
These data are produced from administrative records managed by AIMA’s specialised units, in accordance with the national legislative framework and the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 on migration and international protection statistics. The processing workflow includes data collection, validation, quality assurance, and compilation prior to transmission to Eurostat.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
The Statistics Department, in accordance with the GDPR, and the department responsible for data protection at AIMA, regulate the necessary confidentiality of the data extracted.
No dedicated news release is issued for this dataset. Statistical information is made available through regular data transmissions to Eurostat and institutional communication channels when relevant.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
AIMA produces institutional publications related to migration and asylum, which are included in the Annual Report on Migration and Asylum. These publications may include or provide context for statistical information relevant to asylum and international protection.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
There is no national online database providing public access to asylum statistics produced by AIMA. Statistical data on asylum, resettlement, relocation, and temporary protection are not published through a specific public statistics portal. These data are transmitted directly to Eurostat and the EUAA regarding statistics on migration and international protection. Asylum-related statistics for Portugal are made available to the public through Eurostat’s online database, where data sets from all Member States are published in a harmonized and comparable format.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
No national online data tables are available for public consultation regarding asylum statistics produced by AIMA. The statistical data are not disseminated through a national statistical database or interactive table system. Consultations of Portugal’s asylum‑related statistical tables are carried out exclusively through Eurostat’s online database, where harmonised tables for all EU Member States are provided under the Migration and Asylum domain. These Eurostat tables allow users to view, compare, extract and download:
Asylum applications (first‑time and subsequent), Pending cases, Decisions at first and final instance, Resettlement and relocation, Temporary protection beneficiaries.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
No microdata access is provided for asylum‑related statistics produced by AIMA. The underlying records contain personal and highly sensitive information related to applicants for international protection, including identifiable data on migration status, asylum procedures, and protection decisions.
Access to such data is strictly prohibited under national legislation on international protection procedures and under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For these reasons, microdata cannot be anonymised in a manner that ensures full compliance with confidentiality and data‑protection requirements, and therefore cannot be made available for research or external use.
Statistical output is disseminated solely in aggregated form through Eurostat’s harmonised data collections.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
No other specific national dissemination formats are used for asylum‑related statistics produced by AIMA. Statistical information is disseminated exclusively throughadministrative reporting to Eurostat, in compliance with Regulation (EC) No 862/2007, and is not published in additional formats such as newsletters, public dashboards, downloadable data tools, or interactive visualisation platforms.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Metadata relating to Portugal’s asylum statistics are not disseminated through any national platform. Consultations of metadata take place exclusively through Eurostat’s online database and metadata repositories, where harmonised metadata for all Member States are published in a comparable and standardised structure.
Therefore, users wishing to consult the metadata referring to Portugal must do so directly via Eurostat, within the Migration and Asylum statistics domain.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
The methodological documentation relating to asylum statistics produced by AIMA is developed on the basis of internal administrative procedures applied to the collection, validation and compilation of data. The methodology follows the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007, as well as the methodological guidelines established by Eurostat and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA).
All relevant methodological information is transmitted to Eurostat through formal reporting mechanisms, ensuring consistency, comparability and transparency in the statistical production process.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
The submitted metadata comply with the completeness requirements established by Eurostat for the migration and asylum statistics domain. Any updates are incorporated on an ongoing basis, ensuring that Eurostat always has access to the most up‑to‑date version of the national metadata.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
The quality management of asylum data follows the principles established in the European Statistics Code of Practice and the methodological guidelines provided by Eurostat. Quality control procedures include:
Internal validation of administrative records;
Verification of coherence and temporal consistency;
Monitoring of potential inconsistencies and implementation of corrective measures;
Application of internal quality standards ensured by the responsible units.
11.1. Quality assurance
The quality assurance of asylum statistics produced by AIMA is based on the principles established in the European Statistics Code of Practice, ensuring rigour, transparency and reliability throughout all stages of the statistical production process. The quality assurance system includes:
Internal procedures for verification and validation applied to administrative records;
Technical supervision by the units responsible for statistical production;
Compliance with the methodological guidelines established by Eurostat and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA).
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Quality assessment is carried out on a continuous basis, with the aim of monitoring the performance of statistical processes and identifying areas for improvement. The process includes:
Periodic review of data collection, validation and processing practices;
Analysis of any inconsistencies, errors or deviations identified during verification stages;
Implementation of corrective measures whenever necessary, reinforcing the reliability and consistency of the data;
Ongoing updates to methodology and procedures, ensuring alignment with European requirements and statistical best practices;
Quality assessment prior to reporting to Eurostat, ensuring that the data meet the required standards of accuracy, completeness and comparability.
This structured process enables continuous improvement of statistical quality and contributes to the credibility of national statistics within the European context.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The asylum statistics produced by AIMA respond to the needs of a wide range of national and European users. The main users include:
Eurostat, for the compilation of harmonised European statistics on migration and international protection;
The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), which uses these data for operational and strategic analysis;
The European Commission, for monitoring and evaluating EU asylum policies;
National governmental authorities, responsible for defining, monitoring and evaluating migration, integration and international protection policies;
International organisations and academic institutions, which use the data for research, planning and comparative analysis.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
There are currently no formal or regular mechanisms for directly measuring user satisfaction with asylum statistics. Whenever additional information needs are identified, AIMA cooperates with European entities to adjust methodologies and ensure that national data remain relevant and fit for purpose.
12.3. Completeness
The asylum statistics produced by AIMA comply with the variables, concepts and breakdowns defined in Regulation (EC) No 862/2007, as well as with the methodological guidelines established by Eurostat and the EUAA. All mandatory information, whenever possible, is collected, validated and reported within the regulatory deadlines.
See table 12.3. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not applicable.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The accuracy of the asylum statistics produced by AIMA is considered adequate, as the data originate from mandatory administrative records collected within the framework of formal international protection procedures.
The information systems used ensure:
Systematic and complete recording of procedural events;
Minimisation of entry errors and duplication;
Traceability of changes or updates made.
13.2. Sampling error
Sampling error does not apply to the asylum statistics produced by AIMA.
All information is derived from administrative records, with no sampling procedures involved, covering the entirety of applicants and cases registered in the national asylum system.
Therefore, the concept of sampling error is not relevant for this statistical domain.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Since no sampling methods are used, no sampling error indicators (such as coefficients of variation or margins of error) are calculated. The full dataset corresponds to the actual universe of administratively recorded cases and applicants.
13.3. Non-sampling error
The data are based exclusively on administrative records collected throughout the entire international protection procedure.
The main potential types of non‑sampling error — such as omissions, duplications, misclassification or delays in registration — are mitigated and corrected whenever detected.
Data quality is further strengthened through:
Mandatory and centralised registration of all asylum applicants and cases;
Complementary manual verification procedures;
Continuous monitoring of the information system, including corrections and updates;
Full traceability of all changes made to administrative records.
13.3.1. Coverage error
All information used by AIMA derives exclusively from mandatory administrative records collected within the framework of formal international protection procedures.
Internal validation mechanisms further help minimise potential discrepancies related to duplication, missing records or misclassification.
Coverage errors occur at the moment of extracting the table from the database. In this moment, not all data regarding the reference period are recorded yet.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not applicable.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Data are collected continuously through administrative systems and consolidated manually, with efforts made, whenever possible, to submit within the deadlines established by Eurostat.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Data consolidation is carried out manually, which means that the dataset is made available shortly before the end of the reference period.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Final results are compiled and, whenever possible, submitted within the regulatory deadlines defined by Eurostat—typically by the end of the month following the reference period (for monthly transmissions) or within the stipulated annual deadlines.
14.2. Punctuality
AIMA has made additional efforts to meet the delivery deadlines set by Eurostat for the transmission of statistical data in the asylum domain.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
AIMA has been making significant efforts to ensure that data transmissions are sent to Eurostat punctually and in accordance with the official reporting calendar.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The asylum statistics produced by AIMA are fully comparable at the geographical level.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Asymmetry in mirror flow statistics is not applicable to the asylum statistics compiled by AIMA.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The temporal comparability of asylum statistics is considered good, despite a significant institutional change: the transfer of responsibilities from SEF to AIMA on 29 October 2023. Despite this transition, the statistical concepts, definitions and variables used have remained aligned with the European regulatory framework, ensuring methodological continuity. The implementation of integrated information systems has made it possible to maintain consistent criteria for the registration, processing and classification of data, preserving comparability with previous time series.
After an internal review, AIMA processed long-standing pending cases, resulting in a higher number of pending applications from January 2025 onwards.
Data on unaccompanied minors under temporary protection differ in definition since 2022. The value is zero, as the national system requires minors to have a legal representative to apply for temporary protection.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
The time series remain comparable for the entire period during which Portugal has reported asylum statistics to Eurostat under Regulation (EC) No 862/2007. The institutional transition from SEF to AIMA did not compromise the continuity of the series, as:
Variables and classifications remained harmonised;
The administrative recording system was preserved and integrated;
No substantive changes were made to the statistical concepts.
Therefore, the available historical series (including periods prior to 2023) are considered fully comparable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The harmonisation of the concepts used by AIMA with those defined by Eurostat and the EUAA ensures coherence between:
Asylum statistics;
Temporary protection statistics;
Resettlement and relocation statistics.
This alignment guarantees that related statistical domains are consistent and complementary.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
There is full coherence between sub‑annual (monthly) data and annual data, since:
Annual data are a direct aggregation of the monthly data;
The administrative systems feeding the statistics ensure that both monthly and annual values originate from the same sources.
As a result, annual totals correspond exactly to the sum of the monthly periods, ensuring coherence across different temporal frequencies.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Asylum statistics have no direct relationship with National Accounts, since they refer to administrative procedures of international protection rather than economic indicators. Therefore, coherence checks with National Accounts are not required, and no relevant methodological intersections exist.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal coherence of asylum statistics is ensured through:
Centralised registration of all applicants and cases;
Cross‑departmental use of the same administrative database.
As a result, variables, categories and totals are consistent with each other, and all statistical outputs remain aligned throughout the entire process.
Not applicable.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Data revisions at AIMA are carried out regularly to ensure the quality of the work.
Throughout the year, occasional analyses are performed to verify whether the dataset is valid or requires updating.
Data revisions are carried out only when necessary, namely when:
Factual errors are identified in administrative records;
Updates or corrections are introduced into the information system;
Improvements in internal procedures are adopted that affect previous periods.
Revisions follow the principles of transparency and traceability, ensuring that any change to previously reported data is documented and communicated to Eurostat clearly and with proper justification.
17.2. Data revision - practice
When data revisions occur, they are mainly due to:
Manual corrections to specific records (e.g., changes in case status or correction of classifications);
Late updates entered into the information system after the monthly closure.
Revisions are carried out through:
Updating the reporting files;
Resubmitting the affected variables or reference periods.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Revisions tend to have an impact that generally results in:
Adjustments to the number of applications or decisions for a given month;
Late integrations that modify monthly or annual totals.
18.1. Source data
AIMA’s asylum statistics are based exclusively on administrative records collected within the framework of formal international protection procedures. Data are entered into AIMA’s centralised information system, which is used by the operational units responsible for processing asylum applications.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
For reporting to Eurostat, the data are consolidated on a:
Monthly, Quarterly and Annual.
18.3. Data collection
Data are entered directly by AIMA services responsible for processing asylum cases.
Data collection includes:
Initial registration of the application;
Automatic or manual updates throughout the different stages of the procedure (analysis, decision, appeal, closure);
Integration of any corrections, modifications or additional decisions.
18.4. Data validation
Data validation takes place at several stages:
Validation at the time of registration;
Manual verification by the responsible units whenever anomalies are detected;
Final verification to ensure compliance with Eurostat requirements.
18.5. Data compilation
Data compilation includes:
Extraction of relevant administrative records;
Cleaning and harmonisation of variables;
Monthly, quarterly or annual aggregation;
Construction of the reporting files.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Seasonal adjustment does not apply to asylum statistics.
Data collection on asylum statistics contains statistical information based on the Article 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 on Community statistics on migration and international protection.
Asylum applications:
Asylum, first time and subsequent applicants by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Persons subject of asylum applications pending at the end of month by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Asylum applications withdrawn by citizenship, age, sex and type of withdrawal (also for unaccompanied minors);
Asylum applicants having had their applications processed under the accelerated procedure by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Applicants having benefited from material reception conditions at the end of the reference year;
Asylum applicants considered to be unaccompanied minors by citizenship, age and sex.
Decisions on asylum applications:
First instance decisions on applications by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision (also for unaccompanied minors);
Decisions withdrawing status granted at first instance decision by citizenship, type of decision and type of reason (also for unaccompanied minors);
Final decisions in appeal or review on applications by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision (also for unaccompanied minors);
Decisions withdrawing status granted as final decision in appeal or review by citizenship, type of decision and type of reason (also for unaccompanied minors).
Resettled persons:
Resettled persons by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and country of previous residence;
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision;
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and resettlement framework.
In March 2022, the European Commission activated the Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC for people from Ukraine seeking refuge.
Temporary protection:
Decisions granting temporary protection by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Beneficiaries of temporary protection at the end of the month by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors).
31 March 2026
Same definitions as Eurostat.
Authorisation to stay for humanitarian reasons is not applicable as a decision on asylum protection.
See table 3.4. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
Persons.
Foreigners and stateless persons.
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
Portugal.
Calendar month, calendar quarter and calendar year.
The accuracy of the asylum statistics produced by AIMA is considered adequate, as the data originate from mandatory administrative records collected within the framework of formal international protection procedures.
The information systems used ensure:
Systematic and complete recording of procedural events;
Minimisation of entry errors and duplication;
Traceability of changes or updates made.
Number of persons.
Data compilation includes:
Extraction of relevant administrative records;
Cleaning and harmonisation of variables;
Monthly, quarterly or annual aggregation;
Construction of the reporting files.
AIMA’s asylum statistics are based exclusively on administrative records collected within the framework of formal international protection procedures. Data are entered into AIMA’s centralised information system, which is used by the operational units responsible for processing asylum applications.
AIMA publishes annual data.
Data are collected continuously through administrative systems and consolidated manually, with efforts made, whenever possible, to submit within the deadlines established by Eurostat.
The asylum statistics produced by AIMA are fully comparable at the geographical level.
The temporal comparability of asylum statistics is considered good, despite a significant institutional change: the transfer of responsibilities from SEF to AIMA on 29 October 2023. Despite this transition, the statistical concepts, definitions and variables used have remained aligned with the European regulatory framework, ensuring methodological continuity. The implementation of integrated information systems has made it possible to maintain consistent criteria for the registration, processing and classification of data, preserving comparability with previous time series.
After an internal review, AIMA processed long-standing pending cases, resulting in a higher number of pending applications from January 2025 onwards.
Data on unaccompanied minors under temporary protection differ in definition since 2022. The value is zero, as the national system requires minors to have a legal representative to apply for temporary protection.
