Help - Homeless and no income

Member since 03 December 2025

LoisomaisNew member03 December 2025 14:10:48

Hi, Apologies in advance for the abrupt title but this is the situation my son finds himself in.

He has lived in Portugal now for a few years, is still waiting for his Visa / residency to be confirmed, has a son, pending divorce and is homeless with no income.

He is desperate to stay in Portugal to be part of his sons life but his struggles to find work are making it look impossible for him to remain, secure accommodation and contribute to his sons welfare.

We have already contacted the British Embassy, Aima and other organisations but the general consensus is to signpost on to the organisations we have already tried to communicate and reach out for support with or the response is in Portuguese which is adding an additional barrier and he does not have access to the original paperwork needed.

As a last attempt this is why I am posting this today. Does anyone have any advice, know of work in the Porto region, accommodation support or can advise on anything else?

Anything you can suggest would be most gratefully accepted.

Best wishes

JohnnyPT Portugal Expert

Member since 23 May 2020

JohnnyPTPortugal Expert03 December 2025 17:16:46

5083

Some help:

A. Homelessness & Emergency Shelters (Apoio a Sem-Abrigo)

Câmara Municipal do Porto (Porto City Hall): The local municipality is heavily involved in social support, particularly for homelessness. They have teams and protocols for street outreach and placement into emergency shelters.

Contact: Look for the Gabinete de Apoio ao Sem-Abrigo (Office for Homeless Support) or the Serviço de Atendimento e Acompanhamento Social (SAAS) at Porto City Hall. They may be able to place him in an immediate shelter.

NGOs & Charities: Cáritas Diocesana do Porto: A major Catholic charity offering food, clothing, and often emergency shelter referrals.

https://porto.caritas.pt/contactos/

Food Support: Bancos Alimentares Contra a Fome

These food banks distribute to local parishes and institutions, which then provide food baskets. Social Security or Cáritas can refer him to the nearest distribution point.

___

B. Legal Aid (Apoio Jurídico)

Given the complexity of the immigration, divorce, and welfare issues, he needs pro bono legal advice.

Centro de Apoio ao Migrante (CLAIM) / Alto Comissariado para as Migrações (ACM): Although you mentioned AIMA, the ACM operates the CLAIM network, which offers free legal and social support to immigrants. They are specifically equipped to deal with situations like this, where family ties (his son) should be a factor in his residency application, even without the original paperwork.

This should be his absolute priority for legal assistance:

CLAIM Porto:

Rua de Augusto Rosa 24,

4000-098 Porto

Phone +351 222 073 241

(Integrated at Universidade Lusófona no Porto)

CNAIM Norte:

Av. de França, 316 – Edifício Capitólio,

4050-276 Porto

Phone +351 222 073 810